Living Psalm Submission for January 6, 2024, Epiphany
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
By Eric S. Anderson
How much oppression and violence
need there be, O Holy One,
before you bring the justice and
the righteousness that glitter in the psalm?
It does not matter to the mountains
whether the figure of redemption
is a son or daughter or
a human being of any kind.
It does not matter to the hills that
anyone can prove a royal lineage,
or live as long as the sun,
or fall like rain to bless the earth.
No, it matters that the leaders of
the nations live in righteousness,
and lead in justice, and so that peace
and harmony may flourish night and day.
Yes, it matters that the hungry and the poor
will have their helper in the halls of power,
will be the ones blessed by the acts of pity,
will be the ones whose lives are saved.
Deliver the needy when they call,
O Holy One, redeemer of the poor.
Raise up their lives, lift up their hearts.
What hope have they but you?