Living Psalm 66: 8-20

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 66:8-20 Tirabassi, for People in Recovery

Thank you, God,
for you do not reject my prayer
or let me live loveless.

You listened to my prayers
when I was fall-off-the curb drunk,
when I was strung out and sick
tangled in the net of withdrawal.

You have kept me among the living
when I could not do it alone,
and the people I trusted,
those I thought were my friends
rode over my head
on the way back to their own lives,
and even I could not blame them,
for I was drowning in a bottle,
I was burning with a line.

You have not let my feet slip.
You have brought me to a spacious place,
first in the basement for a meeting,
then upstairs in your house
where I was not turned away,
and even my burnt out
one-day-at-a-time was a vow
acceptable to those who love you.

Come and hear, all you who fear God,
because you let others define God all your life,
as one who would let you …
let anyone drown.

God has listened,
God has heard the words of my prayer.

Living Psalm for 66: 8-20 was written by Rev. 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.