Living Psalm 148

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 148_Cranford for May 18

(with a particular witness for Mental Health Sunday)

God identifies with the margins of our society.
God identifies with the margins who have obstacles
to securing access to mental health.
God identifies with those of us in the margins…
Every time we are called crazy, every time we are demonized,
every time we are institutionalized.
God knows the tension,
The medication challenges and changes,
The insurance run around,
The hoping to find a therapist that finally understands.

God knows the sleepless nights, the feelings of isolation, the sadness and grief.
God knows the weight gain, the weight loss, the fatigue, and burnout.
God is with us.
Even in the waiting room of hospitals,
fluorescent humming lights, and not so pristine tiled floors
God is with us even if we make our beds in the pits of sheol
or in the far reaches of the Cosmos,

And for that we cheer.
PRAISE GOD!
Praise God, those of you gifted with neurodivergence,
the ADHD, the autism spectrum disorder, the major depressives.
Praise God, creative geniuses, healers, prophets, bipolar, sages.
Praise God, gender non-binary, trans, lesbian, gay,
straight, aroace, and “I am still deciding.”
Praise God all you humans, God has made an everlasting covenant with us.
Praise God, D and D players, you Minecraft builders,
Praise God, crazy cat ladies and librarians and psych nurses,
Praise God, rulers and governors, and authorities.
Praise God, Cadillac drivers, rusty Corolla owners,
and those with only a shopping cart,

Praise God from the Earth!
Praise God from here after!

Living-Psalm-148_Cranford-for-May-18-2025 Download

Living Psalm 148 was written by Bec Cranford.

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.