Living Psalm 19

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 19

Every day, the Heavens are telling the glory of God
and the firmament proclaims my Creator’s handiwork.

All I have to do
is to look out our windows
and gaze upon the skies,
the sun or the moon,
the birds, the trees,
the herbs and flowers in my garden,
and notice my Creator’s handiwork.

There is no speech nor are there words,
but the songs of birds in our garden
singing praises and dancing with joy around the birdfeeders,
while squirrels come running down the pear tree
with anticipatory delight to join the feast set before them.

There is no speech nor are there words,
but the beauty and gentleness of the evergreen
that has survived many winter storms
including the apocalyptic blizzard of 2022
reminding me of the faithfulness of God.

There is no speech nor are there words,
but the winter’s powdery snow in the garden
inviting me to come out and pray with my feet,
creating spirals and labyrinths
as I surrender my fear and worries
while I meditate and remember
That the law of Love is perfect,
it revives the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are sure
and filled with wisdom that is available to me,
that the precepts of the Breath of Everything are right
and in the midst of trouble can make my heart rejoice.

What God asks of me is clear,
let it be my vision.
Let all that reminds me of what is good, just, and true
nourish my awe of God forever.

Let the sweetness of the law of Love
encourage me to not grow tired
of doing what is right and just even in the face of evil.
Let the awareness of my shadows and fears
remind me of my need to let the law of Love guide me.

May the words of my mouth May the meditations of my heart
in silence and solitude,
in song, word, or actions,
co-create with you a more loving, just, joy-filled world for all,

May the meditation of my eyes
as I notice your glory and handiwork through my photography encourage others to breathe beauty and hope.

May the meditation of my mind
help me and others to know peace.

May the meditation of my feet
as I pray for myself,
for my neighbors, and for the world,
be acceptable to you,
O Expansiveness of Love,
my joy, my strength, and my redeemer.

Amen.

Written by Rev. Nancy Rosas for Living Psalms UCC for Jan 26, 2025.

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Living Psalm 19 was written by Rev. Nancy Rosas.

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.