Living Psalm 138

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.

Psalm 138 Thanksgiving and Praise for Racial Justice Sunday
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson

Gratitude is present in our hearts
we bring thanks and praise to the most high,
to the gods of those who have gone before
all praise and honor is given
for the miracles witnessed in a strange land
for salvation when our land was overtaken by settlers.

You made us in your own image,
we give thanks for the strength to conquer our fears.

Your faithfulness saw our Ancestors through times of trouble
the hardships of bondage and enslavement were overcome
the trials and tribulations of injustice were defeated
today we call out to you, remembering all you have done
we believe you will hear and answer our cries and our tears
as your heard and answered those who have gone before.

You increased our faith and wisdom,
we give thanks for your steadfast love through crisis.

God, you regard the meek and lowly
God who stands on the side of the oppressed
God who saw the Ancestors
through the Middle Passage
through the dangers of colonization
through the jaws of hatred and suffering.

You kept your word, held your promises for generations.
we give thanks for your names, above any other names.

We sing: “We shall overcome”
We sing: “Let justice roll down”
We sing songs of freedom
we sing songs of resistance
knowing you brought us out before
show us the way through this time of trouble.

You delivered us from those who threatened our lives.
we give thanks for your greatness and glory.

Have mercy on us, O God
shelter our lives from the wickedness of the enemy
you made us all in your image
preserve our lives from those who seek to destroy us
you filled us with purpose and power
empower us with strength and wisdom for this present and future.

Your power is with us as we seek justice for our neighbors
we give thanks for your presence which goes before us.

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Living Psalm 138 was written by Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson.

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.