Category: Rewritten Psalms

Why God do you not make your presence plainly known?
Why can’t you make it easier for people to recognize your work in their lives?
Too often we do not open our hearts to you,
And put ourselves ahead of neighbours.

We are taught to consume instead of conserve
and take more than we need.
You have provided a world that has all we need
But we neglect your plan and hoard resources.

We hold the values of culture,
In higher regard than our responsibility to your creation.
We think that our own wants are more important
than the needs of the world.

But that is an empty way of life.
We are disconnected,
Not only from each other
but from all of creation.

We live in a world where it costs more to be poor;
A world of fast fashion that doesn’t last;
A world of high interest rates and extra fees
for those who have less.

We punish people for being poor,
But in the end we all suffer.
No amount of money can bring the joy
of living a life filled with your love.

Speak out, O Lord, make your presence known!
Hold us to a higher standard,
and teach us to work together;
Instead of against one another.

But of course, you are at work in the world.
You work through us;
Through people who help those in need,
and advocate for change.

Help us to see where you are calling us to action,
and inspire us with your love.
You are our God,
and you do good works in the world.

God, you hear our prayers,
and open our hearts
to fulfil your vision for the world.
So that one day your Kin-dom will come!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+10&version=NRSV

Praise for you fills my being
Until I want to sing of your wonderful love!
You fill my heart with your love,
and my life with songs of praise.

When I have faced overwhelming challenges,
You were there with me.
In my darkest moments,
You sent people to comfort and protect me.

You move in the hearts of all people,
to be open and care for one another,
So that all who struggle will know,
They are not alone.

You are ever present,
and at work in the world.
You offer grace to all,
and help us work towards understanding.

You are a place of comfort for the lost;
Companionship so no one is ever alone.
All we have to do I trust in your presence,
and your Spirit is there to comfort and to guide us.

I know now you hold me in your care,
in times of joy and times of sorrow.
And so, I will sing praises
in gratitude for your loving presence.

When my mind threatens to drag me
Back to that place of darkness,
and I begin to feel lost and alone,
Remind me of your gracious presence,
So that I may continue to recognize
Your presence in my life.

So many people are suffering
in this world of unrealistic expectations;
That encourages competition instead of collaboration;
Independence instead of interdependence.
Help the world to recognize your presence,
and work toward the good of all people,
So that one day everyone can sing
praises to your name together!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+9&version=NRSV

Holy Creator,
I am in awe of the world you created!

Your loving presence is woven through all creation.
You speak through all of us
Even the tiniest baby
So that all may know your love.

In the vastness of the universe,
Keeping in rhythm all the planets, moons and stars;
and all of the intricacies of life;
it is amazing that you made a place for us!

You made us in your image,
and filled us with your love,
so that we may care for your creation.
The trees and flowers,
animals and insects,
fields and forests,
The world is full of life
and all of creation praises your name!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+8&version=NRSV

God you are my safe place.
Protect me from this world of greed
Or it will consume all of me
And destroy my soul.

God if I have taken part
in this system of oppression;
If I have valued people solely for what they do
and forgotten to look for who the are.
Then let me experience the suffering I am due
For my complacency;
For my refusal to speak out.

Let me know you anger, Lord,
Fill my heart with a burning passion
So that I am no longer complacent
So that I can work towards
a world full of your love.
Take what is good in me
and use it for your purpose.

Break down these systems of inequity
Bring balance to the world.
Open the hearts of the few
who are hoarding the resources that could serve many.
And inspire us all to look for a path
that leads to enough for all.

I give you thanks for all that you have given us
and pray that one day we will learn to work together
and not against one another!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+7&version=NRSV

God don’t be angry with me
I am trying to follow your path!
Be patient with me
as I am trying to be patient with you.
How long must I be stuck at this impasse?

Be with me now, O Lord
Surround me in your infinite love
So that I may live to serve you
And praise your name.

I am so tired of feeling lost;
Feeling like every path I am on is a dead end.
I am tired of waiting for my path
to go in the direction I know it should take.

Don’t let me give into my frustration and loneliness.
Help me to remember you walk this path with me.
I know that you hear my prayers
and will always be there to guide me.
Replace my fear with trust;
my impatience with love;
So that I may always walk with you.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+6&version=NRSV

Listen to my cries, O Lord;
And hear the words I speak in silence.
I pray to you, O God,
that each morning you hear my voice;
as I share my joys and fears with you,
and wait for your call.

For you find no joy in pain and suffering;
There is no room for wickedness in your love.
The boastful and those who cause harm
separate themselves from you.
Those who speak lies are lost to you
and cannot fully know your truth.

As I enter your house, O Lord,
Wrap my in your abundant love
As I am in awe and reverence
of your great works.
Lead me on your path, O Lord,
and help me not to stray
even if those around me
give into self-serving actions.

Do not let me mistake their words for truth
and be led down a path of destruction.
There words are hollow
and without depth.
Help them to see the error in their ways.
To see the way there greed is hurting others.
So the may no longer be separate from you.

But let all who already know sing for joy
that they are a part of your loving community.
Be with them and continue to guide them
so that may sing your praises.
For you blessings run deep
for everyone who welcomes you into their lives.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+5&version=NRSV

Hear me, O Lord
You who came to me in my time of need
Hear now my prayer

How long we will cling to this system of inequity
Shaming people who fight for the rights of others
God you have called us all to care for one another
Open the ears and hearts of people in power to our cries for justice

Help us to remain faithful to you
To speak from a place of love and not hatred
Guide our words and our actions
As we trust in you

There are so many searching for your light
Who are surrounded by darkness
Be with them and those around them
So your light may shine through all people

So that there may finally be peace and balance in this world
And so that everyone on earth may know your love.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+4&version=NRSV

There are so many voices around me
Telling me what I am supposed to do
How I should live my life
Trying to pull me away from the path you set for me

But I trust in you God
I will follow where you call me
Build my life on your foundation
In your time

I am strengthened by your voice
Confident in your call
I will go where you lead me
And walk a path of my own

Be with me God
Drown out the voices
That try to lead me astray
Open their hearts to your wisdom

For if we all follow your true path
People everywhere will know your blessing

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+3&version=NRSV

Why do we create such division in the world?
Countries and people plotting against each other in a quest for power.
People chose money and power over the way of the Lord
Hoarding resources and leaving little for others.

Where is God’s wrath to strike down the mighty and lift up the poor?
When will God set the righteous and worthy in places of power?
And how will God guide them to maintain their righteousness?

O God has not the time come to correct the injustices in the world
So that we may take refuge in you?

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+2&version=NRSV

Be a blessing to everyone you meet
Do not sit idly by and watch injustice happen
Stand up for what is right
Be the good in the world

Like a tree giving oxygen to the world
Breath new life into goodness
So that it may grow in everyone around you

Create strong roots grounded in love
So you can endure all things

A person grounded in hatred will whither away
Like a lonely plant in the hot sun

Do not give in to the destruction of selfishness and greed.
God will be with you
Nurturing the goodness in you
And helping you grow in LOVE

For the original Psalm visit: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+1&version=NRSV