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 43 for All Saints’ Day A

Stand up for my neighbors, God of justice!  May those who refuse to know you understand that you defend the oppressed, liberating them from the grasps of foes.

You are the God in which they take their justice, in which mercy thrives.  But right now, justice is quiet and only a faint light in the distance.  Sometimes it seems as if you have cast them off…

May your light shine brightly on them!  May this light lead us to know the truth of their innocence.

When the daybreak of justice fills our earth, we will enter our holy spaces and fill our altars with hearts of joy.  Through song and string, we will praise our God from the center of our souls.

Until that time, shadows fill our spaces, and our spirits remain silent.  But even in the shadows and silence, hope is a spark in our souls, and praise will fill the air once again.

Living Psalm 43 for All Saints’ Day , was written by the Rev. Michelle Torigian.

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 2020 Michelle Torigian.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.