21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources: Choral Reading Based on Psalm 31:9-16

Psalm 31:9-16 is part of the Liturgy of the Passion for Palm Sunday. This choral reading would also be appropriate for use at other services during Holy Week.

Choral Reading Based On Psalm 31:9-16
[Requires At Least Six (6) Readers]

Readers 1 & 2: Do you see that? Do you see trouble in the world?

Reader 3: My eyes grow weak from seeing the trouble in the world.

Readers 3 & 4: My eyes grow weak with sorrow; my soul and my body with grief.

Readers 2 & 4: I'm tired of looking at death, disease, destruction.

Reader 5: I'm weary of groaning, being consumed with anguish.

Readers 1 & 6: Do you see that? Do you see the trouble in the world?

All: Lord, have mercy, crucifixion on the way!

Reader 2: I'm tired of being weak, of my strength failing.

Reader 4: I'm tired of being afraid of my neighbors.

Reader 5: My bones are weak.

All: Do you think Jesus felt this way: weak, tired, weary?

Readers 4, 5, & 6: In the face of distress, people who did not believe?

Readers 1, 2, & 3: In a world full of sorrow?

All: Lord, have mercy, what distress!

Reader 1: Do you think people run from Jesus, too?

WHAT! (said over and over by all the readers, some on top of other voices)

Reader 1: Shattered legacy; world so full of terror on every side…

Readers 1 & 2: Do you see that?

Reader 3 & 4: Can you trust in God?

Reader 5: What, and say, "You are my God?"

All: Yes, and say, "You are my God!" How else do you face the uncertainty?

Reader 3: How else do you face the uncertainty? How else?

All: Oh, God! Our times are in your hands; our times are in your hands. (repeat several times)

Reader 6: Deliver us and let your face shine on your servants.

All: Are we the servants? (Repeat several times)

All: Let your face shine on us! Servants?

Readers 1 & 2: Let your face shine on us servants.

All: Save us with your love that never fails.

Readers 5 & 6: Never fails! Love! In distress

All: Love! Never-failing love!

All: Lord, have mercy: Love! (Repeat several times over voices, each, some together, some staggered)

About the Author: Valerie Bridgeman Davis, Ph.D., Biblical Studies (Hebrew Bible), teaches preaching and worship at Memphis Theological Seminary. Dr. Bridgeman Davis is a consultant for the 21st Century Africana Worship Resource Project.