We all know how reliable new year’s resolutions are, but anyhow. . . .
If Psalm 72 were ascribed not to some ancient Israelite king but to the likes of us (whoever “us” is):
Give us your justice, O God,
and plant your righteousness in us.
May we deal honestly with your sisters and brothers,
and may we seek justice for your poor.
In our words and actions;
our letters, phone calls, and votes;
in our gifts of time and treasure and the way we spend our money,
may we defend the cause of the poor,
give deliverance to the needy,
and break the powers that oppress.
May we live now,
while the sun shines and as long as the moon lasts,
not waiting for them to burn out and fall from the sky.
May we be bearers and spreaders of your grace,
like rain on the fresh-cut grass,
like showers on a summer afternoon.
In our days may righteousness flourish and peace abound,
and if they don’t may we stand up and shout about it.
May your commonwealth of justice and peace
have dominion from sea to sea,
and may artificial borders crumble from here to the ends of the earth.
May the nations look up and take note that, through you,
we deliver the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
Grant us empathy for the weak and the needy,
and save their lives for the here and now as well as for the life to come.
From oppression and violence redeem their lives,
and don’t let us forget that their blood is precious your sight.
Long may we live and move and be!
Teach us the meaning of abundant and eternal life.
May there be abundance of grain in the land;
may it wave on the tops of the mountains;
may its fruit be like an apple orchard after a warm and wet spring;
and may your children blossom in the cities like grass in the park.
May your name endure forever,
and may we proclaim your fame as long as the sun shines.
May all the nations and their peoples be blessed,
and may their happiness be infectious.
Blessed be the God of all creation,
who alone does wondrous things.
And may some of God’s wondrous deeds be done through us,
so that the deep breath and exhalation of God’s justice
might fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
(© 2008, D.C.)
[Originally published on 6 January 2008 in the defunct blog On the nature of . . . .]
