Living Psalm 121

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 121 for March 1, (UCC Women’s Week) Maria Mankin

I know God as Mother
because She tells me
my foot will never slip
when She is by my side,
my hand warm in Hers
as I follow dutifully along.

She does not rest,
even when I am so weary
I can barely stand,
even when I am sick
and scared in the depths
of night, She is here.

When I am flooded with worry
and filled with doubts
about how to rise up
and fight for justice,
She keeps pace with me,
never faltering, or growing tired
of my asking the wrong questions.

I know God as Mother,
and these days, too,
as Crone. She is wise
and patient, but also
just a little wicked
in the very best sort of ways,
brewing within our chests
a necessary revolution
in the people of God.

She has seen and heard it all
and still, She shows up for us,
but the time has come again,
as it does, and it does, and it does,
for us to be brave.

The mountain towers over us.
The wind is howling at our backs,
and the cold will steal our breath away.

Her hand is still in reach though.
She still walks a step ahead,
leading us to follow the path
or make our own –
whatever it takes to walk the way
of Love. God is here, in the stones.
We are not alone.

#Living Psalm 121 for 3126 Women’s Week_Mankin Download

Living Psalm 121 was written by Maria Mankin.

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.