Psalm 81 from Nan Merrill’s Psalms for Praying.

Sing in unison to the Most High,

our strength;

shout for joy and join the

celebration!

Raise a song, sound the great bells,

the flute and the harp.

Blow the trumpet at the new moon,

at the full moon and on all

the feast days.

Sing in gratitude to he Great Hunter,

to the One who seeks out

all hearts.

Give thanks in the congregations that

the Good News may be heard

throughout the land.

I hear a Voice I have come to know:

“I relieve your shoulder of the

burden;

your spirit is free to create.

In distress when you call, I come

to you;

I answer you in the secret place

of your heart;

I invite you to the grace

of forgiveness.

Hear, O my people, while I caution you!

O, dear friends, if you would but

listen!

Do not make of riches and ambition a

powerful god;

do not become puffed up with pride

and arrogance.

I am your very breath; I have been

with you from the beginning.

Open your heart wide, and

I shall fill it.”

Who among you will listen to the voice

of the Beloved?

How many will open their heart?

All you too stubborn to hear,

who follow you own counsel,

will know fear and loneliness.

“Oh that my people wold listen,

that, as friends, you would

walk in my ways!

Your fears would soon flee and

your hearts would overflow.

You, who turn your backs on Love,

will know only momentary pleasure,

your reward will soon be spent.

I would satisfy your hunger,

and, with streams of Living Water,

you would live in the joy

of heaven here on earth!”