Psalm 69: 1-36 (links validated 3/26/25a)

Sixteen times across the better part of 10 sickening minutes George Floyd cried out “I can’t breathe.” Not surprisingly, his cry became the rallying cry of the protests against police brutality and a racist system just generally. More, it became a metaphor for how many people of color feel all the time. “We can’t breathe.” The boot of the oppressor remains on the necks of too many people. The Lectionary begins its reading of Psalm 69 at verse 7 for some reason. But I would like to suggest that it is the opening few verses that capture something that needs naming in this moment: for too many people, they can’t breathe. They feel like the poet of Psalm 69...

“Save Me, O God” by Marty Haugen, on Here Among Us: Songs for the Liturgical Year (2015)

Those who preach this psalm might relate to and relate their similar story to worshipers: during a recent Sunday evening worship service we gave worshipers opportunities to select songs they wanted us to sing together. Most of the songs were familiar old classics. One worshiper, however, chose “Come Quickly, Lord, to Rescue Me,” a psalm based on Psalm 70’s prayer of lament. Our gifted accompanist was unfamiliar with the tune that featured four flats, but valiantly led us through it. But worshipers and even my own discomfort not just with tune but also with its message were almost palpable. It’s perhaps telling that the person who chose this song is a recent refugee from a country where Christians are being intensely persecuted. It reminds us that even if we think we have little personal reason to lament, we have every reason to sing with beleaguered Christians their laments.

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