Living Psalm 81:1,10-16: An Appeal for Justice

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 81:1,10-16: An Appeal for Justice
Written by Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson

I am the Lord your God who called you,
God, who sheltered you in times of trouble,
provided you with vision and hope for today,
the one who brought you to this time and place.

Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of justice and righteousness.

Open your mouth wide and be filled.
I will fill you with words of prophesy,
I will fill you with dreams and wisdom
You will be filled with justice and passion

Open your mouth wide and speak
speak love and compassion to the brokenness
speak loudly to the troubles you see
speak to the hearts of those blinded by greed and selfishness.
Open your mouth wide and be filled.

Sing aloud to God our hope;
shout for joy to the God of deliverance and love.

My children did not listen to my voice
they have been overcome by their fears and wants
they mock the poor and the hungry
they incarcerate and blame the homeless
they deport and fear the immigrant, the stranger.

They follow their own counsel
yet claim my presence and my word
while walking in their own ways
despising truth, they refute justice.

Sing aloud to God our healer;
shout for joy to the God of resistance and power.

Your mouth is filled with my words,
your belly is full with mercy and peace.
I am the Lord your God who called you,
the one who prepared you for this time of trouble.

#Living Psalm 81-1,10-16_Thompson for August 31, 2025 (1)Download

Living Psalm 81:1,10-16 for An Appeal for Justice was written by Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson.

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.