The Psalms are where THEOLOGY meets HUMANITY.
They aren’t just to be read. They’re to show us how to honestly engage with God.
This summer at MAC we wrote, painted and composed our own Psalms. The purpose was to move past reading other people’s journeys and learn to reflect our own, for the glory of God and the encouragement of others.
So… here they are: 19 Psalms submitted, including 4 paintings and 3 original songs. These Psalms represent a diversity of human experiences, ask questions we all have, and offer hope. Enjoy!
Painting by Anna Fenlason
“This painting is a true reflection of my life throughout this period of COVID. From loss of jobs in the “lows,” to being back in Missoula as me and my husband’s “high” - God has ALWAYS been good to us! The lighter mountains in the background symbolize the highs while the darker mountains in the front, creating the valley, symbolize the lows.”
Painting & poem by Terrisa Olson
Oh Lord, I rejoice in Your goodness.
My soul seeks You,
I hunger and thirst for You.
Your word is my greatest counselor,
it refreshes my soul, like the cool mountain streams that flow down from the melting snow.
Your presence is my delight.
I will praise Your name forever.
Independence & Division
The two primary tools of satan and his demonic angels are independence and division. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one in all things. The Church of God is called in these last days to represent the Trinity in a manner that has never before been achieved. Please pray and act to achieve the call of the Holy Spirit for this time.
- Painting and poem by Larry Wilson
Filled with the Spirit
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Everyone has been given the gift of the Holy Spirit that has believed on Jesus Christ.
Everyone has also been given free will to choose to activate the valve on the hot air balloon and can rise as the Holy Spirit fills and lifts the balloon to the height that each Christian chooses. The valve of the Holy Spirit is always available for those Christians that hear, believe and pull the handle. The Holy Spirit is always available, waiting for our faith, no matter how small, to act and speak. May the Father, Son and Holy Spirit fill your life and spirit.
- Painting and poem by Larry Wilson
Praise to God
This original piano composition by John Pietsch weaves together several popular Christian songs.
“Sit Laus Deo” (Praise to God) by John Pietsch
“Breathe Life” by Rebekah Gumm
Holy TRINITY
(Anonymous)
I’m tired of the devil clinging to
My darkness.
But if the devil does not cling to it,
Who will?
God, they tell me it’s You.
But they don’t get along either.
They believe in the same love,
But look at each other with
Anger.
When did Christ followers get
Divided into denominations.
If they were one,
Maybe I would be too!
They also tell me to rest
As though the war is far from
Me.
But I feel the knives of derision
With every prayer.
Trinity, please remind Your body why You
Said to put on the full armor of God.
Remind us of the war to be
Fought.
The race that needs to be
Ran.
The love that needs to be
Spread!
So that there is no longer a darkness for the
Devil to cling to.
a Psalm by Mark Erickson
LORD, why do you seem far away? I miss your nearness. I miss your intimacy. I am lonely. Do my sins separate you from me? Does my indifference towards you push you away?
LORD, I am broken; I am desperate for you. I want to hug you and kiss your cheek and smell my Father. Soften my heart, teach me to not resist your spirit. Without you I die inside.
LORD, I will count the cost to be friends again.
LORD, do not be far from me.
a Psalm by Susan Gottwig
Oh God, You are my Rock, my Help, my Salvation.
I come to You now.
A disease has engulfed our land.
I feel fear. I am worried.
Forgive me.
When will You rescue our land?
When will You rescue my family?
When will You rescue me?
Oh God, You are my Rock, my Help, my Salvation.
I feel fear. I am worried.
Forgive me.
Oh God, give my family peace. Give me peace.
Rescue our land. Rescue my family. Rescue me.
My Rock. My Help. My Salvation.
midnight son
song written by Jonathan Bowe.
SONG LYRICS (click video to LISTEN)
JESUS, JESUS SON OF THE LIVING GOD YOU HAVE BROUGHT LIFE TO US.
JESUS, JESUS YOUR LOVE HAS COME TO US BORN OF THE FATHER’S LOVE
WE ARE AS ONE, FATHER, SPIRIT, AND SON.
THE SUFFERING YOU HAVE BEGUN IN ME
OPEN MY EYES TO SEE YOUR FACE.
KEEP MY EYES UPON YOU LORD FOR THE PRIZE OF HEAVEN WAITS.
JESUS, JESUS YOU ARE THE HOLY ONE, JESUS THE PROMISE BEGUN
JESUS, JESUS, YOU PROMISE LIFE TO US BECAUSE OF THE FATHER’S GRACE.
IN YOUR UNENDING LOVE WE FIND REST, JESUS OUR SAVIOR AND FRIEND
YOU’VE GONE AHEAD TO PREPARE A PLACE
THOSE WHO TRUST YOUR LOVE WILL SEE YOUR FACE!
JESUS, JESUS YOU ARE THE MIDNIGHT SON, YOU ARE THE HOLY ONE.
JESUS, JESUS, YOU PROMISE LIFE TO US BECAUSE OF THE FATHER’S GRACE.
IN YOUR UNENDING LOVE WE FIND REST, JESUS OUR SAVIOR AND FRIEND.
YOU’VE GONE AHEAD TO PREPARE A PLACE
THOSE WHO TRUST YOUR LOVE WILL SEE YOUR FACE!
HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW MARVELOUS, HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE.
HOW BEAUTIFUL, HOW MARVELOUS, HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE JESUS!
TWO ACROSTIC POEMS
by Deanna Reid
Psalm of Truths in Troubled Times
Always rejoice, the Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything.
Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act.
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness” has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
I have called you by name, you are mine…whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
Joy of the Lord is your strength.
Know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us…nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
One will scarcely die for a righteous person…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. People for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Quietness: Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Victory: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Execute: The Lord—who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Zeal: Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
References:
Phil 4:5-6, Matt 28:20, Ps 37:5, Ps 37:4, Ps 150:6, Is 41:10, 2 Cor 4:6, Zeph 3:17, Is 43:1&7, Neh 8:10, Rom 8:28, Deut 6:5, Ps 34:19, Rom 8:37-39, Rom 5:7-8, 1 Pet 2:9, Eccl 4:6, 1 Thess 5:16-18, Matt 6:33, Lam 3:22-23, Ps 127:1, 1 Cor 15:57, Ps 27:14, Ps 146:7, Is 26:3, Rom 12:11.
A Psalm of Remembering the True God & Seeking Help
Abba Father
Beautiful Designer
Comforter of my Soul
Desire Satisfier
Eternal Lover
Faithful and True
God above all gods
High and Mighty
Indwelling Spirit
Jesus the Way, Truth, and Life
King and Servant
Light of the World
Maker of all Creation--
Never have you forsaken me.
Only let me dwell in your presence.
Protect me from the evil one.
Quicken my feet to run after you.
Redeem my brokenness into blessings.
Seek me when I am lost.
Turn your face upon me and be gracious to me.
Uphold your plans for me.
Voice your wisdom as I walk through life.
Woo the hearts of many to yourself.
Xtend mercy to the needy.
Yearn jealously over your spirit in us.
Zealously build your kingdom here.
Psalm 73
Rewritten by Lydia Ireri
1.Surely, God is great to His creation, those who stand in purity. 2.But as for me, Lydia Ireri, my heart had nearly lost a beat! 3.For I admired the evil ones, when I saw them flourish by humiliating my being…
A song of transformation and deliverance
By Jacque Balyeat
“This was written about a trip I made to Venezuela and was on a boat during a super cell storm. It was truly amazing that we survived. Only a few people spoke any English and I was quite alone except for the Lord who was amazingly with me. This is my attempt to sing His praises!”
A Psalm by Kay Cook
Father, You deeply love your children & You abhor wrong, Yet, when I look upon our unjust world filled with unending wars, broken families, lost children, and damaged creation, and I watch as truth is obscured by lies, self-interest triumphs goodness, lawlessness is lauded and righteousness is marginalized…
A Psalm by Andrew Novak
I have seen more evil in a single day than most Americans will see in a lifetime. I have seen the father lashing out against his children in selfish fits of rage, causing them deep physical and emotional trauma. I have seen the drunk driver traveling the wrong way on a divided highway taking the innocent family head-on and killing a child…
Psalm of the Lord’s Sovereign Control Over Life - by Melody Pietsch
O Lord, You never cease to amaze me as I cling to You with all of my being. Pondering the past 11 months I am awed by Your perfect and sovereign control over every tiny detail of my life. Your ways are definitely not mine and yet the blessings that You give as I walk with You and continue to leave my hands open for Your use only further my faith in Your perfect working in my life.
O Lord You know me intimately and know what my deepest needs and desires are. How precious I am to You – let me always remember this when I am feeling distant from You.
The lessons of letting go of the security of location, home, family, friends, and church has been extremely hard. Knowing You led each step of the way helped me to have confidence that it was the right decision.
Almost losing my son twice to overdose was heart wrenching and no words can describe the anguish of my soul. Yet, You answered my earnest plea for his life and You literally brought angels to save him. Praise You Lord that people were there, gave him CPR and then they were gone. I could not thank them. You were working Your will as a miracle that I will never forget. Giving Your supernatural strength to his wife to administer CPR again the second time and gave him his life again continues to come to mind and give me an attitude of such thankfulness and joy. You are in sovereign control of our every breath and you have our days numbered.
You Lord have worked in circumstances and situations that I could never have imagined bringing me to Missoula, MT “for such a time as this”.
My soul delights in You and You alone for my entire being and every breath. Let me not forget your grace, mercy and steadfast, never-ending love for me, a lowly sheep who needs her Shepherd greatly to journey this life.
“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; Indeed my inheritance is beautiful to me. I have set the Lord continually before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my glory rejoices.” (parts of Psalm 16)
a Psalm by Kim Sturre
Lord God, do I dare to hope? I feel I just need to have someone nudge me to wake me. For I feel this has just been an impossible nightmare.
You have saved me from the worst kind of Lymphoma and from bone marrow cancer. You have provided for my needs.
I am so grateful, but yet so scared for more news. Lord, you have taught me to trust so much more. Forgive my dips into doubt and despair. I want to hope and forgo my tears.
You know what is best. You are in control. You have promised that you are with me.
I am trying to hold your hand tighter and walk beside you. But my body is heavy and hard to move. As a child having a tantrum or totally exhausted, I stay in place. I wait until I know if I have another painful trial to endure. I am paralyzed in walking toward hope.
I know I trust in my mind, but my heart is broken and afraid. I feel my heart needs to catch up to the truth in my head before I can move forward.
Lord, You already know and I have my suspicion because of the delay in news. But I trust you Lord.
Give me strength because moving forward seems impossible. I only need hope in You not in this world. Thank you for loving me.
“Psalm of Perseverance”
by Grace
How long, O Lord, must I wait on you?
How long, O Lord, must I watch those around me suffer without you?
My brother, my friends, your children are deeply hurting,
And their pain has become my own.
My heart aches for your lambs, O God.
As I watch them stumble in the dark.
I hold the light, yet they reject it or refuse to acknowledge its existence.
Their shame and anger blinding them to what is true.
How long must I share your love to deaf ears?
I pray, I cry, and I scream for changes of heart that never seem to come.
I had lost my hope, feeling left in the dark, without any sense of direction.
How do you help those who refuse to let you, my God?
What could I do that could possibly make any difference?
What do you ask of me, my Lord?
Are you even here, with me, with them, with us?
All the effort seems in vain, as I may never see its fruits;
Or simply there are no fruits to be seen.
I want the transformation now, in my timing.
My impatience accomplishes nothing, that I know,
But a broken heart isn’t prone to restraint.
When I became tired of the waiting, and my voice grew weary,
I desperately called out to you, my King.
“What do I do?” I shouted to the dark sky.
And in the silence of night, in the gentlest tone, you whispered, “Love well.”
So that is what I will do.
I may never understand the reason for it all,
But I know that you are God, and I am not.
I will love your lambs, my God, because you have loved me.
My resolve may waver,
But you never will.
For you’ve never forgotten a single child,
And I must trust that your timing is good.
So, my Savior, I will wait on you,
As you ask me to,
All the days of my life.
A PSALM by Lisa Lee
(July 8, 2020)
You planted a tree years ago;
its roots were reaching for the water
but struggled to understand how to reach it by itself
Grace and truth were there for
the taking but this tree didn’t know
how to reach them.
Years of struggling and the tree was
barely fruitful.
You pruned and helped the weak
tree reach the springs of your living water.
A season of barrenness and then…
other trees surrounded this tree
and gave it protection from the
blistering heat, shared their water.
Oh joy and wonder when the tree
began to prosper and grow; at last fruit!
I am the tree—You are the faithful
God who protects me and holds me
during times of pruning and shaping.
You alone can cause this tree
to grow and produce. Thanks be to
You O Lord for your wonderful
word. It is food for my soul in
every season of my growing! How
could I prosper in my soul without
your gentle whispers. I love you God!