Living Psalm 82 – Pentecost 10C

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.

God has taken a place in the most supreme of courts;
in the midst of every faith in all the world
a spirit of holiness holds judgment
lightly in open hands of mercy and tenderness.

“How long will human judges speak unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked,
to those who impose their will on others,
who speak for the wealthy,
who misuse the name of “Christian?

Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Judges have taken choice away
protected so-called rights of weapon-bearers,
limited indigenous policing on their native lands,
made weaker the rights to warning
about testimony,
but more available death by firing squad.

Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

The foundations of nature itself are shaken,
but God is supreme in the sacred courts,
and stands for the most vulnerable
in every corner of the earth.

Rise up. Judge and be the teacher of judges.

Living Psalm for Pentecost 10C: Psalm 82 was written by Maren Tirabassi.

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.

Psalm-82 Download