Living Psalms 89

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.

Living Psalm 89 (written by Rev. Michelle L. Torigian)
This Living Psalm may speak to two people with differing faith experiences or one person caught in a struggle of faith.

Voice 1: God, I sing of your graces. Through the songs of my heart, I sing of your steadfast love.
I’m to sing of your faithfulness to past and future generations.

Voice 2: How long, O God, will you hide from me? How long must I work to seek you?
How long must I deal with your hate for me, your inattention, the way you made me?

Voice 1: Your steadfast love rings in my soul. Forever your presence surrounds me.
Your devotion to your creation is as firm as the earth below and constant as the sky above.

Voice 2: How long, O God, must I live in the depths of despair.
How long must I wrestle with my humanity, with my own imperfections and painful mortality?

Voice 1: The covenant you made with Noah, with Abraham, with David, with Jesus,
Stretches far and wide, links us with the future and the past.
You decorate creation with vines and branches and rainbows spanning the sky
As we see the heavens praising your wonders.

Voice 2: Where is this steadfast love of yours God? Where is this covenant you’ve made from generation to generation?
Where is the same faithfulness you promised to David, to Jesus, to Abraham, to Noah?
Has the beauty of your devotion ended for me, Holy One?

Voice 1: The enemy will not outwit you!
Voice 2: Remember, I am still taunted by the ones who hate me? Why must you forsake me God?
Voice 1: You stand in between me and my enemies.
Voice 2: In the depths of my soul I feel the sting from the insults of my foes.

Voice 1: Forever God, your steadfast love surrounds me. Your presence is as established as the moon.
Voice 2: And yet, I sense your wrath against me. Your shame cascades upon my being.

Voice 1: May I never turn from your dreams.
Voice 2: May I seek to turn back to your visions.

Voice 1: You wisdom journeys with me.
Voice 2: May your wisdom lead me back to your righteousness.

Voice 1: Blessed be our Creator.
Voice 2: Forever and ever, your love abides with me.

Living-Psalm-89_Torigian-for-July-21_Download

Living Psalm for Psalms 89 was written by Rev. Michelle L. Torigian.

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.