Living Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

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 1_Tirabassi

(for these days with dramatic weather changes, violence of flood and fire and storm, the psalm becomes a prayer for the care of creation.)

Happy are those who do not ravage fossil fuels,
ignore the warming of oceans,
or scoff at the worth of wild public lands,

but their delight is in care for creation,
and on climate change
they meditate day and night.

The psalmist so many years ago
likened us to trees
planted by streams of fresh water,
which yield fruit in their season,
and unfurl leaves that do not wither.

Those who deny global warming
choosing greed for immediate profits
over the self-sacrifice of changing ways
turn life into chaff
easily blown away by the wind.

Therefore, they will stand confused, asking —
Do you remember …trees?
Where is there one stream of living water?
Why is there no fruit for my mouth,
and no leaf to shade my head?

God applauds the resistance
of those who fight for the earth,
but cannot keep the others
from their self-determination to perish.

#Living Psalm 1_Tirabassi, September 7 2025 Download

Living Psalm 1 was written by Maren Tirabassi.

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.