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 97 for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year C

Our God is Queen!  
Let the deep green leaves sway to praise her name; 
let the waves of joy on the coasts delight in her presence.

She clothes herself in flowing righteousness; 
her robe is weaved with threads of justice. 

She radiates a glow which blesses friends and transforms adversaries.
Her lightnings illuminate the world; 
the earth sees and dreams.

The mountains and valleys dance with the Holy Lady, 
our God of earth and heaven.
All sides of heaven proclaim her righteousness; 
all creation sings of her glory.

Remove your idols! 
Shed your material goods, your preconceived notions, 
your worldly allegiances.  
Release them into the past.

The time has come for all gods sing her praises!

For those who cling to their idols will experience emptiness; 
they are mesmerized by their hypnotic idols; 

For now is the time for all gods to bow down before our Queen!

Her followers delight in her ways.  
All cities rejoice 
because of the Holy One’s love, intentions, and acts of justice.
For you, Holy Lady, are Queen of all the earth; 
you are exalted far above all gods:
Above the extras we feel we need
The affiliations that disrupt neighbor from neighbor
And the chaos that distorts our relationship with ourselves.

Our Queen, Our God loves those who work to eradicate systems of evil; she calls us to protect the lives of her living, breathing children; 
she rescues them from the games of the oppressive.
Light dawns, allowing the righteous to see hope.  
Joy beams for the upright in heart.
Rejoice the Holy One, siblings of this earth, 
and give thanks for our Queen’s holy name!

Living Psalm 97 for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, was written by the Rev. Michelle Torigian, Senior Pastor, St Paul UCC in Belleville, IL.

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.  Editor: Maren Tirabassi

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