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 104: 1-9, 24,35c—Pentecost 21
God the Great Spirit

Bless the Lord, O my soul. Great Spirit you are exceedingly great. 
You are clothed in love, honor, wisdom and majesty. 
You are Light and Life. 
Your depth, breadth and vastness are beyond our very comprehension. 
You are Healer, Sustainer, Strength and Guide.

You are God of Many Names, known to many people in the multiplicity of all which surrounds us. 
You reflect our experiences, our cultures, our heritage, and our identities. 
You are seen in each face. 
The ways in which we know you and name you are sacred, as are the places where we met you — each one with unique encounters on their own journey. 

You have been known through the ages as the Source, the Universe, the I AM 
and by more names than we can call, 
because you are all things to all people, transcending time and space. 
You are the Great Spirit.

You are Creator, who stretched out the heavens like a tent, 
you painted the clouds across the sky and the very winds whisper your names. 
You are the ripple in the pond, the waves in the ocean and the rush of every waterfall. 
You are present on the beauty of each tree, flower and leaf.  
The Ancestors saw you in all things. 
They felt your presence in the forests and experienced you in the brightness of the sun 
and the glow of the full moon. 

The winds, the salt and sweet waters, the earth, the sky, the moon and the sun manifest your glory. 
All of creation is a reflection of your beauty and power, 
emanating joy that stirs our souls and awakens our spirits to your presence. 
The whole earth declares your presence and shows your love and mercy. 

The mountains show your strength, standing tall as they touch the sky, 
their valleys holding rivers and lakes that water the earth. 
All of creation reflects your deep mystery, Holy One. 
The fire and the flame reflect your light and energy, burning bright among us, 
leading, guiding and directing us. T
he fresh dew of morning and the brisk winds bear witness to you with deep gratitude.

The earth you created is being shaken on its foundations 
because we have not been the caretakers of the earth you called us to be. 
The mountains crumble and disappear with strip mining. 
Our waters are overtaking us as the earth continues to get warmer. 
We have polluted our waters and decimated the forests, rendering species extinct. 

Flooding has eroded the soil and over salivated the soil so some can no longer grow their own food. Earthquakes, famine and drought have taken residence among us 
because we could not see you in the wisdom of all you created.

Great Spirit, you fashioned our world with care. 
Help us to care for this earth as you do. 
Cover us with your love for all creation 
as you continue to create and renew among us, in us and through us. 
Call us back to caring for each other and for the communities we live in, 
care for this planet which we call HOME.

God of many names, your works are poured out among us and cannot be missed. 
In wisdom you have made them all and made us all too. 
The earth is full of your creatures - all you created among us. 
We praise you Creator for all you have made and give thanks for all of creation.

Living Psalm 104, for Pentecost 21 B, was written by Karen Georgia Thompson.

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 2021 Karen Georgia Thompson.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.