Living Psalm 85:8-13

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.

United Samoan Ministries Stewardship Sunday

I offer this rendering of Psalm 85:8-13 as a Native Hawaiian woman in gratitude for the
people of American Samoa. Their faith, hospitality, and deep love of family and culture
enhanced my understanding of Godʻs peace across our Polynesian cultures of Oceania
during the two years I lived and taught on Tutuila. This Psalm is not a translation of
Samoan culture, but a prayer inspired by the biblical psalm and by memories that
continue to bless me. I include the following Samoan language words: Sā: sacred time
for prayer each evening in each village; filemu: peace, aiga: family, alofa: love and fale:
house. Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Kehaunani Hill

In the Voice of a Samoan Woman Psalm 85:8–13

I become still.
Before the sun rises above Matafao Peak,
before the waves greet the reef,
before the village begins its work,
I quiet my heart
to listen for the voice of the Lord.
For the Lord speaks.
Not only in thunder,
but in the gentle breeze from the sea,
in the songs of the birds,
in the laughter of children,
in the evening prayers of Sā,
and in the silence that teaches us to trust.
The Lord speaks filemu—peace.
Peace for our aiga,
peace for our villages,
peace for those carrying sorrow.
Surely God’s saving alofa comes toward us,
like a canoe returning safely across the sea.
Even before we see it on the horizon,
the Creator draws near.
2
God’s glory does not remain far away.
It comes to dwell among the people—
in our fale,
in our villages,
in our churches,
where alofa and faithfulness meet,
like sisters embracing after
a long separation;
where justice and peace greet one another,
with tears of forgiveness
and songs of thanksgiving;
where faithfulness springs from the earth,
like taro and breadfruit flourished by the rains;
where righteousness bends low from heaven
like the coconut palms bowing down in reverence.
The Lord gives what is good.
The people will gather with grateful hearts,
sharing God’s gifts
so that no one is forgotten,
and every child knows they belong.
The Lord walks with steadfastness,
like an honored elder
who knows the way home. We will follow that sacred path
of our honored elder,
caring for one another,
welcoming the stranger,
sharing what God has entrusted to us,
lifting our voices together in worship,
proclaiming:
“The Lord is our Peace.
The Lord is our Hope.
The Lord is faithful forever.” Amen.

# Psalm 85-Hill United Samoan Ministries Stewardship Sunday Download

Living Psalm 85:8-13 was written by Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Kehaunani Hill.

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.