Living Psalm 97

Living Psalms Book

Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.

Living Psalm 97_Mankin

If you’ve ever seen a mountain burn,
you’ll know it doesn’t melt so much as crackle,
its voice a deafening roar in your ears.

The sound alone will fill you with a fear
so primal and deep, you’ll flee with the foxes,
with the birds, the snakes and the rickety pick ups
rushing down the road ahead of the devouring flames.

If you have ever heard the tornado sirens ring,
stood outside to watch the wall of storm
bear down on all you love, you know this fear well.

The clouds turn a sickly green,
and air is as heavy and still
as the tomb before the sound
swallows you whole.

If you have ever watched the water rise
from a slit in the boards over a window,
your heart knows the possibility of no escape.

As the cars are swept down the street,
and the rains and wind rattle the very bones
of a home that rang with laughter a day ago,
you see it break through and tremble.

We may think we want a God who stands
ringed in flames, lightning in one hand,
ready to smite our enemies, to bring them low,

until we hear the earth rumble, see the ground buck,
feel how fragile these bodies are in the face
of the Almighty. We are as human as our enemies,
as liable to do wrong as to be just.

Those who love God – seek kindness!
Choose good in both word and deed.

Do not rejoice in others being brought low,
but lay down beside your enemies,
and meet fear with the strength of a heart
that loves God more than self-righteousness,

for we all know the truth. Pain and grief
come for us each in turn. Envy, greed,
pride and anger – these bring us down
as surely as smoke and flood leave
only rubble in their wake.

God’s love transcends the smallness
of retribution. It is a seed, a green and fertile life
deep in every one of us, waiting to be buried
in ash and debris, ready to bloom again.

#Living Psalm 97_Mankin for June 1 Download

Living Psalm 97 was written by Maria Mankin.

Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community. Maren Tirabassi, editor

Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.