BE WITH US

Photo from Unsplash

 In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;  
 let me never be put to shame;  
 deliver me in your righteousness.  

Be with those in hiding,  
under the earth, in the train tunnels, singing  
and praying,  
be with those who are silenced  
those who are killed crossing bridges  
those who watch their neighbors kill  
 Incline your ear to me;  
 make haste to deliver me.  

Be with us in our fear  
be with us siblings walking in the sun  
be with us under the earth,  
praying and singing in hiding crossing killing  
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,  
for you are my crag and my stronghold;  
  for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.    
Be with us as shield and stronghold  
be with us as arms that embrace in  
love that would be in the arms of our neighbors  
if they were not carrying arms  
be with us praying singing hiding crossing killing dying  

 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me,  
for you are my tower of strength.  

Be with us who would tear the world apart  
be with us siblings who watch their children die  and kill and die because they kill, be with us who send
them  killing and crossing and praying  
not singing  
for there is no music in bullets 

 Into your hands I commend my spirit,  
 for you have redeemed me,  
 O LORD, O God of truth.  

Be with us under the ground  
be with us  
praying hiding singing crossing watching killing dying singing praying 

for the people of Ukraine