Psalm 40:5-10 – Annunciation C

Living Psalm 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.

In the scroll of the book,
their names were not written,
but they were given God’s open ear
to say, “no,”
when Gabriel asked.

These four women who said, “no,”
are ones we meet
in every new generation –

the one with too many children already,

the one who had the care
of an aging mother,
a sister who needed help from birth,
as well as those sheep
whose wool kept them all alive,

the one betrothed to a Pharisee,
who was not willing to break his heart,

and the one, also Mary,
who did not want to raise children
but instead grow up
herself to become a prophet.

These, too, did wondrous deeds,
maybe more ordinary,
and also delighted in God’s will,
having God’s signature
on their hearts …
for Gabriel would not have asked
anyone without a big heart.

After Jesus’ crucifixion,
it is said they wept, too,
for every child was like their child.
The four went to Jerusalem
to bring food and comfort to Mary,
and remind her of God’s faithfulness,
steadfast love and salvation,
as they had learned in the psalms,

and that is why they were all there
on Pentecost.

Living Psalm for the Annunciation Year C: Psalm 40:5-10 was written by Maren Tirabassi.
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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.