Dcn Tom Lindell

Greetings my brothers and sisters,

This version of my favorite psalm is from the Episcopal Order of St Helena in North Augusta, SC. They chose to rewrite the psalms to be inclusive, eliminating all references to God as “he,” as well as other masculine imagery, even finding an appropriate substitute for “Lord,” e.g., “Holy One” or “Mighty One.”

Interestingly, about that same time, those of us who started the Come and See community at Saint Philip’s were engaged in a similar activity: writing liturgy without masculine pronouns. We even received some local press that raised a few eyebrows for eliminating the word “Lord” in the liturgy. How blasphemous! The comments ranged from positive to negative. I was even in a lengthy dialog with an Episcopal rector in Georgia who had posted the newspaper article in his monthly newsletter. He gracefully posted my response to him on their church bulletin board even though we did not agree on everything. Come and See has significantly evolved from those early years, but we are now into our 18th year, with 16 years of meeting weekly…

Psalm 139 speaks to me of a God that is not all-knowing, but rather, ever present in my life. No matter where I go on the face of the earth God is with me as a companion on my journey, and that is awesome!

Psalm 139 Domine, probasti [1]

1 O God, you have searched me out and known me;
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.

2 You trace my journeys and my resting places,
and are acquainted with all my ways.

3 Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,
but you O God, know it altogether.

4 You press upon me behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.

5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

6 Where can I go from your Spirit;
where can I flee from your presence?

7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

8 If I take wings of the morning
and dwell at the uttermost parts of the sea,

9 Even there your hand will lead me,
and your right hand hold me fast.

10 If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me,
and the light around me turn to night,”

11 Darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day;
darkness and light to you are both alike.

Shalom!

—Dcn Tom

[1] The Saint Helena Psalter, Church Publishing, New York, 2004, pp. 227, 228.