Leaping Off the Page: Any Time of the Year Edition

by L. Ruth Carter

  Psalm 40:1-17

  A Litany

  Readers: A and C are men; B and D are women

  A: I waited patiently for the LORD to help me.

  Men: He turned to me.

  Women: He heard my cry.

  B: He lifted me out of the pit of despair.

  C: He lifted me out of the mud and the mire.

  B: He set my feet on solid ground.

  C: He steadied me as I walked along.

  All: He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.

  D: Many will see what he has done.

  B & D: They will be astounded.

  A & C: They will put their trust in the LORD.

  ABCD: Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD,

  C: who have no confidence in the proud,

  D: or in those who worship idols.

  All: O LORD my God, you have done many miracles for us.

  A: Your plans for us are too numerous to list.

  B: If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.

  C: You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.

  D: Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

  Men: Then I said, “Look, I have come. And this has been written about me in your scroll:

  Women: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart.”

  A: I have told all your people about your justice.

  C: I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know.

  A: I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart;

  C: I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.

  A: I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

  Men: LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.

  Women: My only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness.

  D: For troubles surround me—too many to count!

  B: They pile up so high I can’t see my way out.

  D: They are more numerous than the hairs on my head.

  B: I have lost all my courage.

  All: Please, LORD, rescue me!

  A: Come quickly, LORD, and help me.

  B: May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame.

  C: May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.

  D: Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

  Women: But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness.

  Men: May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout,

  All: “The LORD is great!”

  B: As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now.

  D: You are my helper and my savior.

  All: Do not delay, O my God.

  Curtain

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