Living Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 – Epiphany 1B

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.

How much oppression and violence
need there be, O Holy One,
before you bring the justice and
the righteousness that glitter in the psalm?

It does not matter to the mountains
whether the figure of redemption
is a son or daughter or
a human being of any kind.

It does not matter to the hills that
anyone can prove a royal lineage,
or live as long as the sun,
or fall like rain to bless the earth.

No, it matters that the leaders of
the nations live in righteousness,
and lead in justice, and so that peace
and harmony may flourish night and day.

Yes, it matters that the hungry and the poor
will have their helper in the halls of power,
will be the ones blessed by the acts of pity,
will be the ones whose lives are saved. Deliver the needy when they call,
O Holy One, redeemer of the poor.
Raise up their lives, lift up their hearts.
What hope have they but you?

By Eric S. Anderson

Living-Psalm-72-1-710-14-_Anderson-Epiphany-1 Download

Living Psalm for Epiphany 1B – Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14 was written by Eric S. Anderson.

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.