Living Psalm 40:1-11 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance

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.

Yet We Wait
by Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson

Waiting grows old, God,
we waited patiently for centuries
waited across time and generations
we are still waiting for you to incline your ear,
for you to hear our cry, and respond to our tears.

I am the voices of the people wailing for change
I am the marchers in the street
I am those who were lynched
I am those who sit innocently in jail awaiting freedom
I am the parents of dead bodies littering the streets.

Waiting grows old God,
our children grew old while we waited
now their children grow old
waiting to see your goodness in this land,
in this land we live in.

I carry their sighs and cries for generations
I bring before you the pain of their living
I wait to be pulled from the miry bog of grave injustices
I want to set my feet where liberty lives
I want to exist where my steps and my life are safe and secure.

Waiting grows old God,
40 years in the wildness
400 years of enslavement
40 acres and a mule promised
4 years of HR 40 languishing in the US Congress
while we wait for the affirmation of our worth through reparatory justice.

I am waiting, waiting for emancipation to take hold
I want to sing new songs of this elusive freedom
I wait to sing songs of praise to God who delivers
I want to trust in you, O God
I wait to see the fear in those who insist I cannot be free.

Waiting grows old God
we are growing tired, our souls weary
how long before you respond and show your delight
in we – the people?
in we – your children?
in we – made in your image?

I am the voices and cries of generations – past, present and future
I am the people marching in the streets for ages
I beg you God, do not withhold your mercy from me
I beg you God, let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe as I await deliverance from this waiting.

January 2023
Martin Luther King Weekend

Living Psalm for Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance – Psalm 40:1-11 was written by Karen Georgia 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.