Living Psalm 81 – Pentecost 12C

Sing to God — rhythm and blues, country, rap,
for we hear the voice of God —

“I relieved your shoulder of the burden
and your hands were freed from the basket.”

raise a tune — reggae, techno, rock, gospel —

“I relieved your shoulder of the burden
and your hands were freed from the basket.”

pick up the tambourine and the bass guitar —

I relieved your shoulder of the burden
and your hands were freed from the basket.”

For this was Exodus
a day to release those worked unjustly
and bring them to a new safe place.

And this is a new Exodus
a day for domestic workers, for migrant workers,
for prep cooks in the food industry,
for housekeepers in motels,
for garment workers, trafficked workers,
for workers with mandatory overtime,
for workers of three jobs, no benefits,
for workers in dangerous conditions.

we hear the voice of God —
I will give you finest wheat;
from the rock I give you honey.

And we sing it — bread and roses.*

*Bread and Roses Strike 1912, Lawrence Textile Mills, song based on a poem by James Oppenheimer

Living Psalm 81 for Labor Day, was written by the Rev. Maren 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.

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.