I’ve had the opportunity to use this litany in
worship a number of times over the years. I recommend it.
Contemporary
Responses to Psalm 23
This
has been another busy week.
I
don’t know whether I can focus on worship this morning.
Something
is nagging at my feelings.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Life is busy.
There
seems to be no end to work.
I
can’t relax.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he
leads me beside quiet waters.
I have bad, painful memories.
I
am hurting inside.
He restores my soul.
I struggle with sin.
The
good I want to do I cannot do.
The
evil I do I do not want to do.
Who
will rescue me from this body of death?
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
I am getting older and may soon die.
Someone
I love may soon die.
Even though I walk though the valley of the shadow of death,
I
will fear no evil,
for
you are with me;
your
rod and your staff, they comfort me.
My fellow workers look down on me.
My
boss gives me a hard time.
I
have few friends at school.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
Life is full of troubles.
My
health is not as it should be.
Where
can I find meaningful work?
You anoint my head with oil;
my
cup overflows.
I am worried about the future.
Will
I meet a partner?
Can
I repay my debts?
Is
my business going to fail?
Will
my marriage last?
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.
Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
—
written by Bert Witvoet. printed in Reformed Worship, issue
#66.
For
additional worship resources related to Psalm 23, click on Psalm 23 in
the list of “Labels” to the right. For more creative worship resources for the
fourth Sunday of Easter, click on Easter 4 in the list of “Labels” to
the right.
