Reflections on Psalm 126

Restoration: Journey to Build the New City on the Ruins of the Old City -- Gates Whitaker

Our first exercise this week was to use Psalm 126 for lectio divinia, then to write a poem incorporating the words of the psalm. The second was to listen to the Godly Play story of the Hebrews Exile and Return, that fits in nicely with that psalm. Then we responded to it with art. Here are some of the poetic and art responses.

Lord, please, give joy – peace
to those who,
when they were knocked down,
got up again.
--Laura Grace House

They marveled at our fortunes
We rejoiced – we were so cool.
Do it again God!
--Laura Grace House

Old Wall, New Improved Wall  -- Laura Grace House

Those who dream
of fortunes restored
sow in tears
go out weeping
bearing seed
mouth filled
with shouts of them.

Those who dream God’s dream
Restore our fortunes
Mouth filled with laughter
Come home
Come home
With shouts of joy
Come home.
--Megan Dalby-Jones                                       Footprints in the Desert -- Megan Dalby-Jones

“Do it again, Daddy”
Other families see your greatness
“Do it again, Daddy”
We too, your greatness
You even send gifts of H20
To the great desert south of Us.
You bring great harvest even
To those who plant in doubt.
“Do it again, Daddy”
We shout for joy,
As you lead us home.
--Marydella House

Listening -- Marydella House

We were dreaming
With mouths that did not move
Hands that could not hold
But eyes that saw God’s great things.

We woke
But our eyes did not see
For they were filled with tears
Our mouths were moving with cries of sadness.

We walked the path we dreamed
Filling it with our tears
When we had filled it like a river
We floated on our way home.
--Steve Ng

Building Walls -- Steve Ng

Dream God’s dream
Laugh
Shout
Tears fall like seeds
Upon parched and
barren ground
Resurrection.
Dream
Laugh
Shout of joy:
“God is good – all the time!”
--Chris Ng

Protection or Prison? -- Chris Ng

God will restore us
God will provide
God wants us to laugh – to shout joy
God will restore
Our dreams and our fortunes
Exchange tears for laughter
And sadness for shouts of joy.
God is good.
--Mary Whitaker

Different Ways -- Mary Whitaker