Psalms of Falling Empire
Based on Empire Falls by John Prine and Psalm 37. This could be used as a reflection to the Word or litany - even a conversational mini-sermon. Not sure who John Prine is? Check him out!
Psalm
Do not fret because of the empire;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
Prine
Caught a train from Alexandria
Just a broken man in flight
Running scared with his devils
Saying prayers all through the night
Oh but mercy can't find him
Not in the shadows where he calls
Forsaking all his better angels
That's how every empire falls
Psalm
Take delight in Mercy,
and God will give you the desires of your heart.
Be still before the One Who Answers Prayers, and wait patiently;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over your devils who carry out evil devices.
Prine
The bells ring out on Sunday morning
Like echoes from another time
All our innocence and yearning
and sense of wonder left behind
Oh gentle hearts remember
What was that story? Is it lost?
For when religion loses vision
That's how every empire falls.
Psalm
But the gentle hearts shall inherit the land,
and delight themselves in wonder
The empire plots against the righteous,
but The Word and Story laughs at empire
for God sees that their day is coming.
Prine
He toasts his wife and all his family
The providence he brought to bear
They raise their glasses in his honor
Although this union they don't share
A man who lives among them
Was still a stranger to them all
For when the heart is never open
That's how every empire falls
Psalm
Better is honesty that the righteous person has
than the abundant providence of many empires.
God knows the days of the open-hearted,
and their providence will abide forever;
they are not put to shame in evil times,
in the days of famine they have abundance.
Prine
Padlock the door and board the windows
Put the people in the street
"It's just my job," he says "I'm sorry."
And draws a check, goes home to eat
But at night he tells his woman
"I know I hide behind the laws."
She says, "You're only taking orders."
That's how every empire falls.
Psalm
The empire borrows, and does not pay back,
but the righteous are generous and keep giving;
for those blessed by God shall inherit the land,
but empire shall be cut off.
The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak justice.
Mark the blameless, and behold the upright,
for there is posterity for the peaceable.
But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.
Prine
A bitter wind blows through the country
A hard rain falls on the sea
If terror comes without a warning
There must be something we don't see
What fire begets this fire?
Like torches thrown into the straw
If no one asks, then no one answers
That's how every empire falls.
Psalm
The salvation of the righteous is from the Savior
God is their refuge in times of trouble.
Our steps are made firm,
when God delights in our way;
though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for God holds us by the hand.
The righteous shall inherit the land,
and live in it forever.
God helps them and rescues them;
God rescues them from empire, and saves them,
because they take refuge in God.
