Have mercy on your Church, O God; have mercy on us. We take refuge in the shadow of your wings as we watch the disasters unfold on this world. We cry out to God Most High who vindicates us, who sends from heaven to save us, who rebukes those who hotly pursue the Church. You send forth your love and faithfulness. Sometimes it seems we are dwelling among the ravenous beasts – ideas, mindsets, forces designed to tear apart families, churches, communities, and our nation with their spears, arrows, and sharp tongues. But You, O God, are exalted above the heavens; your glory is over all the earth. May the net they spread for our feet and the pit they dug for our distress be the snare into which they fall because of your mighty hand. God, make the heart of your Church steadfast on you, singing and making music, worshiping the Mighty One of Israel whose strength and protection are always upon us. We praise you, Lord, and sing of you among the peoples of this earth, grateful that your love and faithfulness are beyond anything we can understand. We thank you for your protection on your People and exalt you for who you are. Let your glory be over all the earth and poured out on your Church, for such a time as this. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Psalm 57
1
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2
I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
3
He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
4
I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
6
They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.
7
My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.