Joining My Voice

Pastor Megan invites us, like Jesus did when he retreated for prayer in the dark early morning hours, to dwell with the Psalms as we begin to process together having heard a challenging word from our Peace Lecture guests last Sunday, Waziyatawin and John Stoesz.

Psalm 147

adapted from Stephen Mitchell, A Book of Psalms: Selected & Adapted from the Hebrew

How sweet to sing to you, O God,
and to thank you for all your blessings.
You rebuild what has been ruined
and recreate what was lost.
You heal the brokenhearted;
you are medicine for their wounds.
You lift up the afflicted
and give them the courage to endure.
You count the myriad stars
and call each one by name.
Infinite is your power,
incalculable your wisdom.
You lift up the oppressed,
and cast the corrupt to the ground.
We sing to you with gratitude.
You scatter the snow like wool
and sprinkle the frost like ashes.
You strew ice crystals like breadcrumbs;
the earth becomes bitter cold.
You breathe warm winds and the ice melts;
you blow and the waters flash.
You cover the sky with clouds;
you send down your rain to the earth,
making grass grow on the hills
and plants to nourish humankind.
You give the wild animals their prey;
you feed the young ravens when they cry.
You delight in the power of the horse
and take pleasure in the legs of an athlete.
But most, you rejoice in a pure heart
and in those who let you shine through them.
You give them joy in your joy,
and you bless their loves with your love.
you bring your peace to their families
and grant them your infinite wealth.
You send your wisdom to their minds;
your light runs faster than a thought.
Above all others they are blessed,
because they can hear you speak
(though your love speaks in all people,
in the silence of every heart).