Let Us Praise With Psalms

From Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough

Dear Ones, 
It is our prayer that you and those you love are safe.  So much going on right now.  Here in the East Bay our air quality is poor. I pray that the fires will cease and that the air quality will clear and that Covid-19 will soon pass.  In the meantime, may we all know peace on this journey, confident that God is with us every step of the way.  May your spiritual practices always bring you a sense of peace, love, and courage in this time. We are so grateful for you and the work that you do.  

Skies darkened with smoke from wildfires on Sept 9th 2020

Scripture: Psalm 67   
"God be gracious to us, and bless us!  
Shine your face upon us! 
Oh, please make your path known here on earth
Grant all your peoples your steady guidance 
May it be you who leads the nations on this earth 
And may we all rejoice with glad songs 
May we know the judgment reserved for the upright 
The earth showers us with the abundance of your blessings 
Through them, we, in turn, bless you to the extreme ends of the earth 
All of us give you thanks 
All of us!"

Meditation  
The translation of this Psalm is from a book entitled, Thirty-Six Psalms: Let Us Praise by Betty Bracha Stone.  In her introduction she writes, "In the summer of 2012, I entered into a serious Jewish practice: strenuous introspection and prayer during the month of Elul (pronounced uh lool) in preparation for our High Holy Days - Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. During the month of Elul the faithful are encouraged to pray Psalm 27 twice daily." 

She took that practice a step further and wrote her own translation of Psalm 27 and thirty five additional Psalms as well.  Her book was given to me by her husband while I was standing in a parking lot. No, we did not know one another, and I was puzzled.  However, as he was walking away, I realized that I was standing next to my car, which has a clergy sticker on the front windshield. I think I will always remember that moment and I am grateful for the gift of this book.

This year, Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish New Year, begins on the evening of September 18th.  I appreciate learning the spiritual practices of others, including those from other faith traditions.  In these uneasy times, may we all respect and learn from one another.   This will not weaken our faith, but rather make it stronger.  May we celebrate one another's "glad songs" and listen to one another's prayers.  God has made us all.   Let us give thanks - all of us!   

Prayer      
"You are my light and my help 
The strength of my life 
Who else should inspire awe?  
There is only one thing I ask of you 
I want to live in your home all the days of my life
To see your sweetness 
And to visit in your Temple for that short time..."   
   
Adapted from Psalm 27, Thirty-Six Psalms: Let Us Praise, Betty Bracha Stone

Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Associate Pastor
San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ
SpiritCare Ministry to Seniors  
www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com ​​