Living Psalm 124 After Pentecost 13A

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.

We could say that God was on our side
Clearing blocked roads,
Healing the unhealable,
Holding off our enemies,
And making the dreams in our minds come alive.

Yet God is not a one-stop shop for our privilege.
God is not a delivery service for our greatest desires.
The favor of God doesn’t just keep giving us riches
And sports cars and private jets and mansions.

God isn’t a privilege-keeper-
A genie in a bottle to whom we ask for unlimited wishes.

Sometimes, the floods sweep us away.

Sometimes, the raging waters swallow us whole.

But our God who abides with us eternally
Will never leave us alone in our tears,
Will never give us as prey to their teeth,
Will send winds, hoping to stop our agony,
Will dry us when we are drenched,
And will send love when we feel so greatly alone.

So let us say that God was on the side of justice,
On the side of the marginalized,
On the side of the ones fleeing pain,
On the side of everlasting peace and joy.

For whatever part our Creator plays each day
In rescuing us from being subjects of hate,
And from the crushing of our spirits and bodies,
Blessed be the One who came to our rescue.

Our God is by our side.
The Spirit calls us to safety.

We celebrate our gratitude in the name of our God-
Creator of heaven and earth.

Michelle Torigian

Living-Psalm-124_Torigian-for-August-27-2023-Thirteenth-Sunday-after-Pentecost Download

Living Psalm for Pentecost 13A – Psalm 124 was written by Michelle Torigian.

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.