FOR LOVE OF US

Meaning in Psalm 103

Alfred D. Byrd

CHILDREN of God, remember how much
Our Maker has done for love of us.
Our God, Who lives in light forever,
Spread out the heavens and set a throne
Above all else to tell the worlds,
"The will of God is life and is law."
The worlds are here because the Maker
Called out a word and made them appear.
From dust, a body; from God, a breath —
We humans depend on God for life!

TOO OFTEN, we fall because we're weak.
Before our God, we're grass that withers,
Shaken by winds and murdered by drought.
We come and go, but our God remains.
Our God remembers how weak we are
And makes provision for life restored.
Recall the past: a people enslaved
Cried out to God, "We're facing our death."
Our God remembered, sending Moses,
Leading them elsewhere to learn the Law.
Each year, they recall the gift of God,
A life of freedom to serve the King.

OUR THOUGHTS, our words, and our acts deserve
A judgment of death, but God is life
For all who turn from darkness to light.
The gift repentance restores our hope
When we've gone astray and lost our path.
Our God is ready, even eager —
Judgment delayed, we find a reprieve —
To hear our plea and grant us pardon.
Mercy, not justice, our King desires.
Our sins have earned us only the pit,
But all who come, repenting of sin,
Will find a welcome before the Throne.

OUR GOD is worthy of love and praise.
Let all draw near to offer worship,
Heartfelt and pure, to the One Who is.
In praise of God, we'll find companions.
Angels who hear and obey the King
Will sing together with dust and breath —
We humans redeemed from death to life —
The praise of the One Whose Name is Love.

An age-old story retold in verse for a new millennium.

A Song of the One