Living Psalm 71:1-6

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.

by Rev. Justo Gonzalez, II

As ICE pursues, unknown cars follow me and arrest my friends, In YOU, the Light of my Soul, I take refuge. I have no one to go to besides you. I am in despair, let not my under-documented status be used to shame me and put fear in citizens.

I only came here to earn the bread of life. Rescue me from jail bars as I strive to feed my family. In your justice and compassion liberate from Alligator Alcatraz, recuse me and deliver me from this fear as I earn to feed my three children, deliver me from those masked men who bring shivers deep into my soul.

Be my lawyer who liberates me from injustice, fear and stereotypes about me. You are my rock who sustains me never knowing if I will see my familia again. I am just an esposo (husband) and papi (dad) to mis hijos (to my children). Open your arms and let me always hear, “Welcome, mi hijo (my son). Surround me for I am full of fear. Break the chains that would deny me my dignity and worth. You are my rock save me from the death that awaits me if I am deported.

I need liberation reality and not only Bible verses. Send compassionate action and not fluffy statements of support. Free me, Holy One, from the hands that accuse me of being in a violent gang, a rapist or a drug dealer. They spew wicked lies and so many believe them. It was from the hands of the cruel, the killers, the rapist and gangs that led me to flee to the border. They are evil and cruel. Don’t become them on this side of the fence.

You are my Esperanza (Hope), the liberator of Isaac, the one who called Samuel and my family and me. I have trusted in you as has my mother, grandmother and others. I have known you since I was a boy and as a youth my heart has been open to you. Before I was a thought in the imagination of my mother you knew me. You brought me through the pains of delivery and have always been a present reality. No one will ever stop me from loving you. I adore and praise you. And so does my family.

# Psalm 71 (from the eyes of an immigrant)_Justo Gonzalez for August 24, 2025 Download

Living Psalm 71:1-6 was written by Rev. Justo Gonzalez, II.

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.