Living Psalm 119: 105-112

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 119:105-112 Submission for July 19, 2026

Breathless

By Eric Anderson

I pant for your decrees, O God.
I gasp for air because the world
is full of smoke and fiery mist.
Oppression chokes my breath.

I pant for your decrees, O God.
I gasp for air because my deeds
do not fulfill your gracious will.
I cannot breathe for all my sin.

I pant for your decrees, O God.
Between the harshness of the world
and all the hardness of my heart
I breathe this clouded, fouled air.

I pant for your decrees, O God.
May I find grace to learn from my mistakes.
May I find freedom from the will of my oppressors.
May I inhale your gracious sacred breath.

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Living Psalm 119:105-112 was written by Eric Anderson.

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.

© Copyright 2026 Eric Anderson. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

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