Living Psalm 23

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.

Forever is in Our Hands

God makes us shepherds and gardeners,
so none of God’s relations –
creatures, growing things, land, water,
wind, sky – need be in want.

God gives us lying down places
of green pasture, rainforest, delta, desert,
high mountain, deep canyon,
and paths by arroyo, deep river,
waterfall, ocean shore,
and these restore our souls.

Creator leads us to care,
not from duty, but from love.

Though we pass chemically poisoned fields,
over-fished seas and the terrible tears
of the valley of extinction,
when we join the weeping,
we no longer fear so deeply.

God sets up one global table –
in spite of the turned-over-ones
of corporate influence,
money, political power.
God anoints us with community,
teaches us overflowing wells.

Surely we follow with committed people
people of goodness and mercy,
from Chico Mendes to Greta Thunberg,
and so many, so many more.

Where we dwell now is God’s house.
Forever is in our hands.

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Living Psalm 23 was written by Maren Christine 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.