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 19: Reflection and Litany for Epiphany 3 C

A Reflection, “Be Still and Go” -- Psalm 19

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
    and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
 Day to day pours forth speech,
    and night to night declares knowledge.
 There is no speech, nor are there words;
    their voice is not heard;
 yet their voice] goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.

Composer Joseph Haydn used these Psalmist’s words in one of the most famous oratorios ever written, The Creation.   But the beginning of Psalm 19 seems to contain a puzzling paradox. It says, the heavens are telling, the firmament proclaims, speech pours forth by day, and the night declares knowledge. And yet immediately after that the Psalmist says, “There is no speech, nor are there words and their voice is not heard.” How is this possible?
How does communication happen without words or speech? How does knowledge get transmitted without someone proclaiming or declaring it! There just might be a particularly message for us in this paradox. You and I are surrounded daily by words: Twitter, Facebook, podcasts, texts, phone calls, 24 hour news cycles, MTA announcements, overheard conversations in elevators, at the store or on the street. Or even that voice inside our head that keeps talking to us, telling us we need to do more, be better, keep moving.
Everywhere we go we’re bombarded by words and information, and both people and machines are constantly TELLING us something. 

But the Psalmist writes, “The heavens are telling the glory of God.”

What would it mean for us to shut out all the words, even for just 15 minutes a day this Epiphany? To listen only to the “heavens”, to immerse ourselves in silence, to tune our ears to the still, small voice of God inside each one of us? How radical would it be to acknowledge what some have called our addiction to noise and then do something about it?
Jesus did. Time after time we read that Jesus went away from the crowds, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness”, “went out to a desolate place”, “went up on the mountain by himself to pray . . . alone.”

Several years ago I rented a small cabin in the mountains of western North Carolina. No cable, no wi-fi, no cell service ergo, no TV, phone or computer – just silence. After unpacking and putting the few groceries I had bought away, I settled into the rocking chair on the porch that overlooked a valley and began to wonder, “What have I done? It’s too quiet. What am I going to do with myself for a week?” And then I heard it, a slight rustling sound below the porch and I saw a deer looking up through the brush. We were close enough to hear each other breathing and we both went completely still. Then a bird starting trilling in a loud voice that was answered across the valley. And then very softly I heard the patter of raindrops as they began drumming on the leaves and an afternoon rain shower filled the air with the sound of the heavens telling the glory of God.

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. 
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? 

What does your soul thirst for this Epiphany? A time to shut out all the noise, to listen for God’s voice, to be renewed and restored for the work you’ve been called to?
Be still and go.  Go deep into the silence, breathe in the breath of God, listen to the longings of your heart. And then you will be ready to go out into the world to share the love of God.
The Psalmist ends Psalm 19: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. May it be so. Amen.

A Poetic Reflection -- Psalm 19

The cosmos sings the song of God’s glory;
    and the universe shouts the story of God’s endangered creation.
So many words streaming from everywhere:
   Twitter, texts, Tumblr.
Information feed is on overload:
   24 hour news cycles, Facebook, Reddit.

God speaks in ways that require no words,
    and yet, the message is heard by all.
Like the singing skies and the shouting earth, 
   the sun was created to travel its journey 
   from beginning to end, radiating joy, 
   in the full intensity of God’s glory.
God instructs with words of justice and principle,
     providing direction for the ordering of our lives. 
These lifegiving words restore our relationship with God and each another,
     imparting wisdom and truth in uncertain times.

In a time of so many words,
    God’s words are what we crave
    more than wealth and possessions.
They are delicious in our mouths
    and satisfy our insatiable hunger.

God’s words serve as a caution,
    reminding us of their gift.
Are we capable of self- discovery in our sin?
   Make us transparent in your sight.
Don’t let us be trampled by the oppressor,
    remove their power over the vulnerable.
Then we can live freely, without guilt,
   untarnished by sin.
May the words we speak and our hearts deep ponderings
    find a place of welcome in you,
O Lord, our strength and our liberator.

A Responsive Reading Psalm 19

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
    and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
The cosmos sings the song of God’s glory;
    and the universe shouts the story of God’s endangered creation.

Day to day pours forth speech, 
    and night to night declares knowledge.
So many words streaming from everywhere:
   Twitter, texts, Tumblr.
Information feed is on overload:
   24 hour news cycles, Facebook, Reddit.

 There is no speech, nor are there words;
    their voice is not heard;
 yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
God speaks in ways that require no words,
    and yet, the message is heard by all.
    
In the heavens God has set a tent for the sun,
 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
    and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them;
    and nothing is hid from its heat.
Like the singing skies and the shouting earth, 
   the sun was created to travel its journey 
   from beginning to end, radiating joy, 
   in the full intensity of God’s glory.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
    making wise the simple;
 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
    enlightening the eyes;
 the fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
    and righteous altogether.
God instructs with words of justice and principle,
     providing direction for the ordering of our lives.
These lifegiving words restore our relationship with God and each another,
     imparting wisdom and truth in uncertain times.

 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
In a time of so many words,
    God’s words are what we crave
    more than wealth and possessions.
They are delicious in our mouths
    and satisfy our insatiable hunger.
 
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
 But who can detect their errors?
    Clear me from hidden faults.
God’s words serve as a caution,
    reminding us of their gift.
Are we capable of self- discovery in our sin?
   Make us transparent in your sight.

 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; 
    do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.
Don’t let us be trampled by the oppressor,
    remove their power over the vulnerable.
Then we can live freely, without guilt,
   untarnished by sin.

 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
May the words we speak and our hearts deep ponderings
    find a place of welcome in you,
O Lord, our strength and our liberator.

Living Psalm 19: Be Still and Go, was written by the Rev. Ellen Robison.

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.  

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 2019  Ellen Robison. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.