#Living Psalm 119:33-40_For September 6 Sharon Benton 

When faithful followers read you rightly, O Eternal,
your laws make a more heavenly earth.
Give us understanding of your commandments
so we can live them well.

Help us hear when your decrees have been twisted
to accommodate hate or exclusion,
to maintain power for the powerful,
to project fear from the fearful.

Grant us insight to see your statutes
in action—policies of equity,
beloved community emerging naturally.

When we forget your promise, O Eternal,
hold us gently accountable;
for your word is good,
and we long for loving correction.

Heal our wounds from others’ shaming rebukes—
the attempted keeping of your precepts
by broken humanity.

Keep teaching, O Eternal,
and we promise to keep learning.