Living Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13 – Advent 2B

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.

O joy…there’s joy.
Somewhere in the world.
Joy escapes from the recesses of weary hearts
To make noise from our throats.
Sing that song…the sound of joy!
Let God hear it with gratitude.

Hearts are heavy
War in Ukraine, Somalia, and Yemen
Lives lost and displaced
Folx more concerned with peaceful protestors
Than with terrorist and warmongers
No cease fires…only pauses that do not last.
Hearts are heavy…but not hardened.
Nowhere to go in Gaza
Mourning still in Israel
Wounds to the body, the mind, and the soul
Hearts so very heavy
Hardened hearts would be easier
Oh to look away…to press pause on compassion
To pretend for a moment that the earth is not groaning
That children are not dying
That peace is simply ignoring the conflict
Something we can hold for ourselves
With no regard for the turmoil that surrounds us
Hearts heavier and heavier
It’s too much to bear…too much not to
How dare I let joy bubble up from within
When there’s so much pain without
My heart proclaims that joy must be
Joy is the fuel that strengthens me
For the work of justice
I will rejoice and remember
That my heart refuses to be hardened
Even though it is heavy

Sing that song of joy.
Let God hear it. Let the world hear it.
There is joy.

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Living Psalm for Advent 2B – Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13 was written by Cheryl Lindsay.

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.