Psalm 14: God of Mercy, Hold Us in Love
Psalm 14
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is none who does good.2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the LORD?5 There they are in great terror,
for God is with the generation of the righteous.
6 You would shame the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is his refuge.7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Brittlebush | Phoenix, AZ | February 2022
“In peace, in peace we pray to you…” So begins the Holden Evening Prayer litany and prayer. The refrain throughout the prayer is a beautiful and appropriate call: “God of mercy, hold us in love.” I’ve included a YouTube video below of that beautiful prayer, preceded by the text of the prayer itself. In light of this psalm, it seems to me very appropriate that we call on the God of mercy to hold us in love.
Based on the words and thoughts of this psalm, I offer this rephrasing of this beautiful litany.
Refrain (Sung by all after each verse.)
God of mercy, hold us in love.
Leader:
- In peace, in peace we pray to you:
- Awaken in us a new sense of your wisdom:
- Fill cold, hardened hearts with humility’s kindness:
- Bring goodness and kindness from all the repentant:
- Redeem and restore those who have turned from your pathways:
- Move hearts, hands, and voices to feed and bring comfort:
- Receive hurting people who cry for salvation:
- Send healing and hope to our loved ones who suffer:
- Restore joy to all who rely on your favor:
- Grant peace, hope, and gladness to all your belov-ed:
- Help us, comfort us, all of our days:
All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.
Leader:
Great and merciful God, Source and Ground of all goodness and life, give to your people the peace that passes all understanding, and the will to live you Gospel of mercy and justice, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
These thoughts spring from an awareness of some dear people’s struggles and need for God’s mercy and favor in the face of loved-ones’ needs for physical healing, and their own peace of heart and mind. Thinking especially of Elise and Grayson, whose grandparents are good friends of ours. God of mercy hold us in love! Amen.
Holden Evening Prayer: Litany & Prayer
Refrain (Sung by all after each verse.)
God of mercy, hold us in love.
Leader: 1. In peace, in peace we pray to you:
2. For peace and salvation, we pray to you:
3. For peace between nations, peace between peoples:
4. For we who are gathered to worship and praise you:
5. For all of your servants who live out your gospel:
6. For all those who govern that justice might guide them:
7. For all those who labor in service to others:
8. Grant weather that nourishes all of creation:
9. Keep watch on our loved ones and keep us from danger:
10: For all the beloved who rest in your mercy:
Help us, comfort us, all of our days:
All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.
Leader: Great and merciful God, Source and Ground of all goodness and life, give to your people the peace that passes all understanding, and the will to live you Gospel of mercy and justice, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
David Bahn - Reflections 
Amen!
Thank you for this litany of beautiful requests this day for our loved ones.
May it be so… God of Mercy hold Grayson and Elise in YOUR love. In peace, in peace we pray to you.
In the precious name of Jesus we come, laying these requests of our hearts before you and your throne,
Elise’s Grammy
Amen.