Living Psalm 31:9-16, Palm and Passion Sunday

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 31:9-16 for Palm and Passion Sunday

There is terror all around!
O Lord, there’s so much grief.
There is so much to despair
that our days are spent sighing,
wondering when this will be over,
when will there be good news.

O Lord, you have seen every affliction,
witnessing all that human hands
have done, all while praising your name.
Hands that have grabbed neighbors
off the streets, pulling children
away from their communities,
sending them off to an uncertain fate.
There is no refuge. We should all
be put to shame.

Our hands fidget, anxiously,
pulling at the foliage,
throwing coats on the ground,
wondering if it this
protest is enough.
Our times are in
your hands, O Lord.

There has been enough terror,
though there may still be more.
There will be more distress, we fear,
before there is good news.
O Lord, be gracious.
Be gracious to all your people.
Into your hands, we find our spirits.
You will redeem us again.

# Living Psalm 31-9-16 for Palm and Passion Sunday_Cook Download

Living Psalm for Palm and Passion Sunday – 31:9-16 was written by Elsa Cook.

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.