Fall 1993 · Vol. 22 No. 2 · pp. 94–95
A Psalm of the Unemployed
O God, I cry to you,
but silence fills the air
I call for understanding,
but the congregation does not explain.
My words crash against the empty walls
and there is no echo;
Tears flow from my face
only to be dried by the heat of anguish.
The pious offer cheap advice,
few offer counsel;
The self-made person says “Get a job!”
but little does he understand.
In anger I cry out,
“Why do they assault me?”
There is no understanding of chronic pain
in a world of quick fixes and instant solutions.
How long, O Lord, how long
must I endure this agony?
How long must my family see this broken man
and tenderly carry his aching soul?
The mirror reflects the shell of a man
once beaming with self-confidence;
My feet are sore from pounding the pavement
and my heart is crushed by another letter of rejection.
I have put my trust in you, O Lord
you have been my rock in days gone by;
I have called on you
and you have answered me! {95}
Rebuild my life, O Lord,
bring rest to my troubled soul;
Restore joy in my inmost being,
and create in me a heart of compassion.
Let me not be dominated,
nor let me dominate;
Make me a servant, Lord,
and may the towel and basin always be close at hand.
Give ear to my plea, O Lord
and I will teach others of your care;
Give me understanding for those whose lives
are chaotic and out of control.
I will again put my trust in you, O Lord
my confidence will be in you.
I will listen to the counsel of the wise,
and I will accept the way of wisdom.
For your mighty hand upholds
the weary heart of the downtrodden;
Your everlasting arms embrace
those who have been shut out and are alone.
May your lovingkindness be known
in all the earth;
May your faithfulness be heard
from generation to generation.