Living Psalms 45 and 145

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.

Hear, O daughter,
because you have asked
so many questions after stumbling over
the words, wondering what it means
when we pray for God’s kingdom come.

These are words, O my daughter,
that you are just learning
to recite and you want so very much
to know what it is that you are praying.

You are so concerned with getting it right
because there is such a clear sense of right
and wrong in you. I know, sweet girl,
even as you fight against injustice,
you still want to wear those golden robes.
You dream of being a princess,
though you know it’s impossible.

You still want the fantasy
and maybe I do too. I remember
learning these words for the first time,
singing along with my classmates,
My country, ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty.

Because you chanted
beside me, marching down
the street, calling out NO KINGS
and you have this idea
that kings are bad.

I didn’t know who
or what I was singing to
from every mountain side.
I’m not sure what royalty means
now, but those lyrics got confused
with the words Jesus taught us
to pray. I know, sweet girl.
I remember.

I want to tell you
that God is more than
the land where our fathers died.
Or even the pilgrims pride.

I know you’ll get stuck on that
bit about dad though, because he
has sworn to protect and obey
the United States Constitution.
And sometimes, that makes me
scared too. Freedom has to be
more than death.

I want to be able to
tell you, my sweet girl,
that God is good to all,
gracious and merciful. God has
compassion for everyone and
everything, and this is
what makes God
like royalty.

O my sweet girl, I hope you’ll find yourself
in a procession where you’re not
the only one asking hard
questions and demanding more
than the words we’ve taught you
to sing and pray.

Tell of your power, my little princess,
and you will learn how God
upholds all who are falling,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Or this is what I dare to believe,
in the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.

#Living Psalm 45 and 145_Cook (please use this one)Download

Living Psalm for 45 and 145 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.