Category: Rewritten Psalms

God has gifted us with so much.
A world of beauty
With all we need –
food, water shelter
companionship, creativity, education –
God has blessed us with so many gifts;
What can we give in return?

Take care of the earth,
Walk gently with creation,
Taking only what you need,
Using all you take.

Live with compassion,
Support your friends and neighbours,
Share what you have with those in need,
Work for the betterment of others.

Give thanks and be grateful,
Praise God for the gifts you were given,
Celebrate the good things in life,
Recognize you have the strength to overcome the challenges.

Caring for creation,
Creating communities of support,
And seeing God’s gift in all things,
Surely this is all God asks of you.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+50&version=NRSV

A message that holds truth for all – no matter their circumstances:

We live in a world that seems to value money above all things.
It is seen as good and normal to place accumulation of personal wealth
above the needs of others.
We celebrate and idolize the rich.

But what does their money truly buy them?
What good are material things bought at the expense of others?
How can you truly be happy when you are causing unhappiness in the world?

If you are looking on those who hoard their wealth with envy remember this:
Those riches only have value in this lifetime.
People who spend their whole lives focused on the accumulation of wealth
risk missing the true gifts in life.

You do not have to be wealthy
to experience the warmth in a loved one’s smile,
to see the beauty of the world around you,
to be supported by the love of friends and neighbours.

Do not look to others to covet what they have,
Instead look for what connections can be made,
where you can offer your love and support to a community,
and receive love and support in return.
For that love will last beyond any lifetime!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+49&version=NRSV

God’s wonders abound throughout all of creation;
In the beauty of a spring flower;
In the strength of a might oak;
In the endurance of seeds resting in winter;
God’s creative power is seen throughout the universe.

Yet at times we act as if we are superior to God’s might,
And try to bend God’s creation to our will.
We waste the resources God has so generously offered,
and we are poor stewards of the earth.
We call it industry and progress,
But in truth it is actually destruction.

We are in awe of your mighty works,
But too often fall short.
We become to focused on our individual needs,
And forget the needs of others.
We become to focused on what we want,
And don’t think about the impact it has on the world around us.

God, help us to recognize the gifts you have given us;
Teach us to use them to correct our mistakes,
So that we may be good stewards of your wondrous world.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+48&version=NRSV

Praise God on the sunny days!
The sun is shining,
The birds are singing,
All creation is singing God’s praises.

Praise God on the rainy days!
The rain is falling,
The crops are growing,
All creation is singing God’s praises.

Praise God on the windy days!
The wind is moving,
The seeds are finding new homes,
All creation is singing God’s praises.

Praise God on the cloudy days!
The clouds are sheltering the earth,
The ground is restoring,
All creation is singing God’s praises.

Praise God on the snowy days!
The ground is cooling
The earth is resting,
All creation is singing God’s praises.

In the sunny days or the stormy days of life,
Never cease singing God’s praises,
God has created this amazing world for us,
And it is good!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+47&version=NRSV

God is our refuge and strength,
Ever present in times of need.
Though the world may feel like it is crumbling around you,
God is there to help us build it back up.
Though the world seems lost and divided;
Corrupted by greed, selfishness, and anger,
God is always with us inviting us to a better way.

God is like a gentle stream nourishing all it its path,
Over time it will change the landscape, carving a deeper path.
So to will God make big changes in our world,
With time and a source to feed it;
Goodness and love can take hold in this world!

Look at all the amazing work God has already done in the world!
God has gifted us with creation that feeds us and teaches us.
God calls us into communities so we can support and care for one another.
God invites us to explore God’s Holy Mystery inviting us to creativity and growth.
Let us all sing God’s praises!
Let all of creation sing God’s praises!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=NRSV

My heart overflows with joy at the very thought of you,
I am so grateful that you came into my life.
I can still replay the day we met in mind,
Forming the scene as if watching a movie.
Two things I will always remember from that day…
              …the brightness of your smile…
              …and that I thought you were a bit weird.

But God knows my life is a bit weird,
So you fit with me so completely.
I find myself counting the days until we can be together again,
Because each time I with you brings so much light into my life;
My spirit soars when we are together.

You help me to find my strength when I am feeling weak,
You offer me direction when I am feeling lost,
You give me comfort and support when I am feeling overwhelmed.
You fill my life with light and laughter.
You complete me;
And I will forever be grateful that you found your way into my life.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+45&version=NRSV

As I sit here in the fading light reading about the history of your church, I find myself wondering about my ancestors.  How did they come to know you through the Christian lens? Where were they as Christianity began to spread?  Did they accept your word with open hearts, or did they resist knowing you through Jesus?  These are questions I will likely never know the answer to.  The history of my genetic family has faded like the light at the end of the day but you in invite me into a greater family.  A family that connects all creation!

And so, I give thanks…
I give thanks for Adam and Eve who taught me to respect creation.
I give thanks for Abraham and Sarah who taught me to never give up hope.
I give thanks for Jacob who taught me it is okay to wrestle with my faith.
I give thanks for Ruth who taught me the gift of chosen family.
I give thanks for Jonah who taught me that I can serve you even when I am not my best self.
I give thanks for Job who taught me the importance of perseverance.
I give thanks for Elizabeth who taught me to care for those I love.
I give thanks for Mary who taught me to make you a priority in my life
                          and for Martha who taught me the value of hard work.
I give thanks for the hemorrhaging woman who taught me the healing power of faith.
I give thanks for Peter who taught me it is okay to fall short of the standards we set for ourselves.
I give thanks for Judas who taught me that our mistakes and hurtful action can be transformed by your love.
And most of all I give thanks for Jesus who taught me to follow you with my entire being.
God, I give thanks for all my ancestors…
…genetic and spiritual…
…known and unknown…
I give thanks for they way they shaped me into the person I am today through your steadfast love.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+44&version=NRSV

God, I see so many people who claim to be Christian
But don’t seem to be following a path of your love.
Make clear to me your vision of the world,
So that I make speak the truth to others.
Give me the courage to speak out against falsehoods spoken in your name,
And the wisdom to speak words of love that others will hear.

Fill me with your divine love,
So that I may share it with all your people.
Reveal your works in the world to me,
So that I may sing praise to your glory for all to hear.
I will give my life to you, O God,
And sing your unending praises.

Help me to know only your righteous anger
when I am confronted with places of hate,
So that I may speak only from a place of love,
And help all to truly follow in your way.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+43&version=NRSV

As the roots of a might oak burrow deep into the earth,
So I am grounded in you.
As its branches lift up leaves to reach the sunlight,
So my spirit sores to your love.
As it both supports and is supported by neighbouring trees,
So I find a home in a community of your people.

You have led me to so much good in my life,
And I have tried to follow the path you have set before me,
So why now do I feel so lost?
Why can I not see a way forward?
How much longer must I feel stuck in this place?
Is there something here I still need to learn?

I cannot not believe that you would abandon me now
in my time of need,
And yet, I struggle to recognize your presence.
I am unsure of which way to go.
Or perhaps more truly I know where to go,
But not how to get there.

Do not abandon me now,
Not when you have offered me a glimpse of true happiness.
Help me to find the right words.
I trust that you are still with me,
So please show me the way forward!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+42&version=NRSV

Too often I look for joy in material things;
new clothes, new shoes, new tech, new toys,
But they cannot bring my lasting joy.
Too often I put my own wants
ahead of the needs of others.

But you, O God, call me to another way…
…a better way.
A way where I am invited to share
the gifts you have given me with the people around me.

You call me to step out of my self-inflicted isolation,
And be a part of a community…
…be a part of your community.

You invite me to dream of a world where everyone has enough;
Not just enough food, water, and shelter,
But enough comfort and companionship…
…enough connection and community…
…enough love and support…
…enough freedom to unapologetically be their authentic selves!

God, I know that with your help
and through your love this will come to pass.
May it be so!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+41&version=NRSV