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. Posted on the Westview Church website.
