Living Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 Pentecost 22A

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.

Within my lifetime, LORD, this crevasse fountained
living rock, a fiery river streaming steaming to the sea.
Within my lifetime, LORD, the scarlet cooled to grey,
the leaping molten spray to pebbles and to sand.

Within this not-so-ancient crevasse, LORD,
the geologic hues of rust and glassy sable take
their place alongside steady growth of greens,
of lichens, grasses, and of spreading ferns.

If this ohi’a seed had fallen somewhere else,
it might have towered high above the ground,
but here, where roots have barely churned the sand
to soil, it hardly clears its neighbor ferns,

But now, as if in echo of the scarlet lava which
had inundated and transformed this place,
it blooms in crimson tipped with gold,
as if to shame old Solomon in all his glory.

Here where a score of years is like an age,
where lakes are drowned in liquid rock,
where forests blaze amidst a burning river,
to leave stone columns marking vanished trees,

We pray, once more, O LORD, for your compassion.
Awaken us each morning with your steadfast love,
and as we settle in to sleep, assure us of your grace.
Inspire us to celebrate your name in all our days.

Your power is manifest in lava’s crimson and in leafy jade.
We are as transient as the grass, as temporary as the stone.
Let your favor be upon us. May our efforts prosper,
so that in this perishable world, we leave a flower of love.

By Eric S. Anderson

Living-Psalm-90_Anderson-October-29-Twenty-second-Sunday-after-Pentecost Download

Living Psalm for Pentecost 22A – Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 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.