Psalm 23 in a time of COVID-19
Here is a responsive reading of Psalm 23 in a time of COVID-19 written for a Sunday morning worship service, 3/22/2020.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
With God all things are possible;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
Let us honor the sabbath so that we may find healing rest in the midst of the chaos of these times.
He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
There is no better time to trust in God who knows we need quiet and stillness to restore our anxious souls.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Faith in a compassionate God leads us to do the right thing.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Even though we are in some of the scariest days of our lives,
I fear no evil;
let us not be afraid.
for thou art with me;
Life can be scary and dangerous, is scary and dangerous in these days, but we are not alone.
thy rod and thy staff,
God’s tools offer direction, safety, and protection
they comfort me.
Knowing God cares about me and you, cares for me and you; ahhh what comfort that offers, especially now.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Life can be scary and dangerous yet God is in the midst of our current conflict and tensions seeking, calling us to create beloved community.
my cup overflows.
The power of love, of connection, of community offers great joy, faith and love that extends beyond any borders or boundaries of geography, thinking or understanding we impose on ourselves and one another.
thou anointest my head with oil,
You are a beloved child of God – royalty – rest in that knowledge.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
Faith in a God who is with us, leading us protecting us, supporting us, loving us unconditionally offer slife-sustaining, life-giving grace and unconditional love our whole lives through.
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
In all times of our lives we are given opportunities for beautiful, loving, right relationship with one another and with God; beloved community in the various ways we can connect in 2020 and beyond….
forever.
Forever.
© Rev. Sally May, 2020
