Contemporary Adaptation of Psalm 146–A Biblical Admonition in this Election Season

By Art Laffin

Praise God our Creator, Source of all life.
I will sing praise to God as long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes and rulers,
in mortals, in whom there is no salvation.
When they die they return to the earth;
on that very day their plans perish.

Happy are those whose hope is in God,
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry and welcomes the immigrant;
who seeks to end racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination;
who labors to eradicate poverty, proclaim liberty to captives, and practice restorative justice!

For the Lord sets prisoners free,
and opens the eyes of the blind;
the Lord raises up those who are bowed down
and loves the righteous and those who do the works of mercy and peace.

Stand with and for the victims; renounce all racial profiling, violence and killing;
disarm all guns, killer drones and nuclear weapons;
beat all swords into plowshares;
abolish torture, capital punishment and war;
protect all life and creation;
love one another!

For just as the Lord watches over the homeless and refugees;
and upholds the orphan and widow, so must we do the same.
But the way of the wicked He brings to ruin!

To all earthly rulers,
to people everywhere—
take notice: the reign of God is at hand!
Follow God’s commands, not opinion polls!

God is sovereign over all earthly rulers and powers.
God, alone, is our judge—it is God who will have the last word;
not presidents, generals, judges and the rich and powerful.

Happy are those who put their trust in God.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice;
who care for the earth and practice nonviolence;
who seek to create the Beloved Community.

Let all generations praise God.
Let us praise God forever!

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