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 8: for New Year’s Day
A Re-imagination of Psalm 8

O Dios (Eternal Light & Love),
Sovereign to all created beings,
your majestic name is revered throughout all peoples, nations and in all spaces.
Above all the heavens, and the Sacred places to us,
your radiant beauty shines forth.

Even the mouths of little ones, infants, babies and other human beings,
you have strong support, people that have your back,
a community that will never abandon you;
enemies and avengers will be silenced.

All around me I see your heavens.
Most people look up to see you or the heavens. I look around and you are there.
The excitement of one who discovers wonder points to your work.
The joy of walking close to someone who models love confirms that you are at work. Acquittances rediscovering long lost friends shine like the moon
helping us to see what we missed yesterday when we had a different perspective.
The stars open our lives to discovering what was previously unseen.

It is beyond comprehension,
we are only human beings, flesh and bones, and yet YOU see us.
YOU are attentive to us.
YOU desire the best of all that is good, just and whole.

Really? You have made us, despite our flaws,
just a little less than the Holy One who loves us unconditionally?
You want to crown us glory and honor?

Divine Wisdom has entrusted us, flawed human beings,
with the care and oversight of the work created by YOUR hands.
You have put all things under are feet.
Certainly, we don’t feel worthy.
What? You say that we are worthy. You see us and your heart warms up.

You believe in us, when sometimes we don’t believe in ourselves.
All the sheep and the oxen and all the beasts of the field you entrust to our care.
You place in our care the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
all that passes along the paths of the seas.

You truly believe in us despite how badly we have treated your creation?
You truly are magnificent.
We commit to environmental justice and doing better to protect and defend Mother Earth.

God of mercy and grace, we know we’re not perfect or even close to it.
Yet, you believe in us.

Your name truly is majestic in all the earth,
within the hearts of creation sacredness flows from you to all places and spaces.
Majestic are YOU, Holy One.

Living Psalm 8, for New Year’s Day, was written by the Rev. Justo González II, Interim Conference Minister, Illinois Conference.

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. Maren Tirabassi, editor.

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