Joyce Borger

Most often psalms of lament move from lament to praise. Psalm 40 changes the order around: It begins with praise and then, starting at verse 11, moves into lament. It is an interesting change in perspective and reflects a common experience. In this world praise is often interspersed with lament. In fact, at any one time we may be holding the two in tension. Sometimes knowing the goodness that exists in this world makes us lament the evil we see and experience—it’s not the way it was meant to be. But on the other hand, it is often our remembrance of the good things that God has done for us that helps us during darker timesThe good gifts of God not only bolster us personally, they are meant to be shared with others, to point to our gracious God. This psalm then gives us a great opportunity for sharing some of our own testimonies. You might want to invite your worshiping community, young and old, to send in one sentence answers to where they have seen God at work in their lives and the world around them recently. Then share a few of them where indicated in the litany below. This litany is written for one voice. The text in regular font is meant to help the listener understand the psalm and its movements. The psalm itself is in the brown font. There is an optional communal response in bold at the end.  A Conversation with Psalm 40Listen to my testimony of the wonders that God has done for me. I waited patiently for the Lord;    he inclined to me and heard my cry.I waited and waited with hope and trust and then…He drew me up from the desolate pit,    out of the miry bog,and set my feet upon a rock,    making my steps secure.He put a new song in my mouth,    a song of praise to our God.Have you ever experienced such desolation? Maybe you are feeling like you are in the pit of despair right now. If God did this for me, surely God can do the same for you. This is my hope for all of you, thatMany will see and fear    and put their trust in the Lord.Once you put your trust in God you will find contentment forHappy are those who make    the Lord their trust,who do not turn to the proud,    to those who go astray after false gods.Listen, to this truth about our God. You have multiplied, O Lord my God,    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;    none can compare with you.Were I to proclaim and tell of them,    they would be more than can be counted.We can’t share all that God has done or we would be here all day, but listen to just a few testimonies from our community… [Insert short sentence testimonies collected from congregation members.] How might we respond to these wondrous testimonies? [O Lord,] Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,    but you have given me an open ear.Burnt offering and sin offering    you have not required.Instead you desire all of me rather than empty rituals. A proper response is a life dedicated to you, to be your disciple, committed to inviting others to follow you, to come see and hear.  [So,] I said, “Here I am;    in the scroll of the book it is written of me.I delight to do your will, O my God;    your law is within my heart.”I have told the glad news of deliverance    in the great congregation;see, I have not restrained my lips,    as you know, O Lord.I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness    from the great congregation.But life is full of ups and downs, so I continue to pray. Do not, O Lord, withhold    your mercy from me;let your steadfast love and your faithfulness    keep me safe forever.—Psalm 40:1–11 NRSVUEDo not, O Lord withhold your mercy from any of us; let your steadfast love and your faithfulnesskeep us safe forever. Amen. Revised Common Lectionary Epiphany 2A, Annunciation

This litany with Psalm 29 (NRSVUE) at its center is for three readers and percussion with quotes from Isaiah 43:1-3 (NRSVUE) and Matthew 3:17 (NRSVUE). The cumulative message of this litany is that though God is a God of immense power, who has control over all creation, we do not need to fear. God has sent God’s beloved son to redeem us. Do not be afraid. Peace will come.

Psalm 72 appears in the Revised Common Lectionary on Epiphany along with the story of the Magi and Herod from the beginning of Matthew 2. The two passages present a stark contrast between the king of this world, Herod, and the king spoken of in Psalm 72. Herod is only concerned with his own well-being, while the king of Psalm 72 uses his power and authority to seek the flourishing of all people and creation. Which king do you follow?

Psalm 148, a litany of praise for two readers and congregation. While it may be intuitive to use this psalm as a call to worship, consider instead using it as a statement of faith following the preaching of a passage like Matthew 2:13–23, or as part of the service of sending.

The text of Psalm 98, NRSVUE and John 1:1–5, 14, NRSVUE are arranged here as a Christmas call to worship for four readers. The reading is interspersed with the lighting of the Advent wreath and Christ candle.

A Christmas call to worship from Psalm 97 for four readers

A Christmas call to worship from Psalm 96, Titus 2:11, 14, and Isaiah 9:6 for five readers and congregation, and it includes candle lighting.

[The text of Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 NRSVUE is found in the brown font. The portion in bold could be read by the congregation with a leader reading the rest of the call to worship. Alternatively you could have a second reader read the psalm. This litany could be used as part of the opening of worship with or without the candle lighting. If used with the candle lighting, the first three candles should be lit before the service begins.]Call to WorshipOur God of love calls us to come and worship him, for “we love because he first loved us.”— 1 John 4:19 NRSVUEAnd God gave us a sign of that love. “Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.”—Isaiah 7:14  NRSVUEAnd so we come to worship with our loveand because we are assured of God’s love for us. We also come with lament, aware of our need of salvation. The psalmist says, Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,    you who lead Joseph like a flock!You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth     before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.Stir up your might,    and come to save us!Restore us, O God;    let your face shine, that we may be saved.O Lord God of hosts,    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?You have fed them with the bread of tears    and given them tears to drink in full measure.You make us the scorn of our neighbors;    our enemies laugh among themselves.Restore us, O God of hosts;    let your face shine, that we may be saved.Advent Candle LightingToday we light the candle of love.  As we await the coming of the Messiah, we do so as a people who journey for love, from darkness to light, towards justice and peace. We journey for love, for Christ loved us first and is coming to set the world a-right. [Lighting of the fourth Advent candle.]Sung Response“Lord, You Were Rich Beyond All Splendor” Houghtonor“Hope Is a Candle” (st. 1, 2, 4, 3) LeachPsalms in Worship: Advent and Christmas Psalms with Candle LightingAdvent 1—Psalm 122Advent 2—Psalm 72Advent 3—Psalm 146Christmas 1—Psalm 96Christmas 2—Psalm 97Christmas 3—Psalm 98

[The first lines of the call to worship and the text from Psalm 146:5–10 NRSVUE are in regular font and could be read by the same person. The text in brown font is from Luke 1:46b–55 NRSVUE and should be read by a different reader, ideally a teenage girl. The final “Praise the Lord” in bold font can be spoken by both readers together, the congregation, or omitted. This litany could be used as part of the opening of worship with or without the candle lighting. If used with the candle lighting, the first and second candle should be lit before the service begins.]Call to WorshipGod calls us to come and worship with joy.Listen to these words from the psalmist and Mary, the mother of Jesus who proclaimed: “My soul magnifies the Lord,    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.    Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,for the Mighty One has done great things for me,    and holy is his name;Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,    whose hope is in the Lord their God,who made heaven and earth,    the sea, and all that is in them;who keeps faith forever;Indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him    from generation to generation.Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,    whose hope is in the Lord their God,    who executes justice for the oppressed;He has shown strength with his arm;    he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.He has brought down the powerful from their thrones    and lifted up the lowly;Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,   who gives food to the hungry.He has filled the hungry with good things    and sent the rich away empty.The Lord sets the prisoners free;    the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;    the Lord loves the righteous.The Lord watches over the strangers;    he upholds the orphan and the widow,    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.He has come to the aid of his child Israel,    in remembrance of his mercy,according to the promise he made to our ancestors,    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.The Lord will reign forever,    your God, O Zion, for all generations.Praise the Lord!Praise the Lord! Advent Candle LightingToday we light the candle of joy.  As we await the coming of the Messiah, we do so as a people who journey with joy from darkness to light, towards justice and peace. We journey with joy, for Christ is coming to set the world a-right. [Lighting of the third Advent candle.]Sung Response“My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout” Luke 1:46-55, Cooneyor“Hope Is a Candle” (st. 1–2, 4) LeachPsalms in Worship: Advent and Christmas Psalms with Candle LightingAdvent 1—Psalm 122Advent 2—Psalm 72Advent 4—Psalm 80Christmas 1—Psalm 96Christmas 2—Psalm 97Christmas 3—Psalm 98

[The text in the brown font is from Psalm 72: 1–7, 18–19, NRSVUE and that, along with the regular font text, should be read by one voice while the congregation responds with the words of John the Baptist from Matthew 3 NRSVUE which appears in bold. This litany could be used as part of the opening of worship with or without the candle lighting. If used with the candle lighting, the first candle should be lit before the service begins.]Call to WorshipGod calls us to come and worshipthe King of peace. Prepare the way of the Lord;  make his paths straight. —Matthew 3:3Give the king your justice, O God,    and your righteousness to a king’s son.Prepare the way of the Lord;  make his paths straight. —Matthew 3:3May he judge your people with righteousness    and your poor with justice.May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,    and the hills, in righteousness.May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,     give deliverance to the needy,    and crush the oppressor.May he live while the sun endures    and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,    like showers that water the earth.Prepare the way of the Lord;    make his paths straight. —Matthew 3:3 In his days may righteousness flourish    and peace abound, until the moon is no more.Advent Candle LightingToday we light the candle of peace. As we await the coming of the Messiah, we do so as a people on a journey, from darkness to light, towards justice and peace. We journey with peace, for Christ is coming to set the world a-right.  [Lighting of the second Advent candle.]Sung Response“Hark, the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes” Doddridgeor“Hope Is a Candle” (st. 1–2) LeachPsalms in Worship: Advent Psalms with Candle LightingAdvent 1—Psalm 122Advent 3—Psalm 146Advent 4—Psalm 80Christmas 1—Psalm 96Christmas 2—Psalm 97Christmas 3—Psalm 98