March 11, 2022 · Lent · Year C
Psalm 27 (adapted)
Psalm 27 adapted for communal worship, recast from singular first-person to collective 'we' to invite shared trust amid suffering and uncertainty. The adaptation breaks the psalm into titled sections for meditative use, offering calm and confidence in the face of illness, chaos, and personal trial.
Scripture:Psalms 27
Psalm 27 (adapted)
This is a powerfully encouraging and confident psalm of trust as a prayer amid hostility, a chaotic world and personal trials. I know folks with terminal illness and great catastrophes in their lives that find great strength and hope through this psalm. Prayers like this can help us find calm and assure us in the center of so much hectic emotion and anxiousness. May that be so for you.
I broke up the Psalm into "titled" sections and changed the perspective from singular, first-person to the broader "we" to encompass us collectively. One might read the whole psalm or meditate / ponder upon the sections for a deeper, hopeful, and encouraging experience, and such an experience is what we seek. For in our collective sighs, collective concerns, and collective prayers, we connect to God and breathe with God assurances comforting our hearts.
Prayer of Faithful Amid Chaos
1 The Lord is our light, salvation, and strength—
of whom shall we be afraid?
2 When the wicked and aggressors advance against us
to devour and kill,
it is they, the hostile foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege us,
our hearts will not fear;
though war break out against us,
even then, We will be confident. Selah!
Supplication for God to Be Near
4 One thing we ask from the Lord,
this only do we seek:
that we may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of our life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek God in your holy temple.
Belief in Assurance
5 For in the day of trouble
God will keep us safe in the divine dwelling;
God will hide us in the shelter of the sacred tent
and set us high upon a rock.
6 Then our heads will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at God’s sacred tent we will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
We will sing and make music to the Lord.
Prayer of the Oppressed
7 Hear our voice when we call, Lord;
be merciful and answer us.
8 Our hearts says of you, “Seek God’s face!”
Your face, Lord, we will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from us,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been our helper.
Do not reject or forsake us,
God our Liberator!
10 Though many forsake us and if they do,
the Lord will receive us.
Teach Us
11 Teach us your way, Lord;
lead us forward on your path
because of your mercy, your love and your peace.
12 Do not turn us over to the will of wicked leaders and adversaries,
for false witnesses rise against us,
spouting malicious accusations and violence.
Confidence in God’s Assurance
13 We remain confident of this:
we will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and let your hearts be filled with courage
and wait for the Lord.
Beloved, Let God be with you and assure you in your journeys. May God protect our neighbors in Ukraine and give them peace.