A Psalm for Our Time

by Micki Simms

Hide me under the shadow of thy wings, O Lord,
and give thine angels charge concerning me;
that I may delay
gratification this day,
and live my life in community.

May the Spirit's flame be transforming, I discerning, O Lord;
you've called my name; I dread to know
the pain to be whole,
to consciousness grow,
requiring life to be lived midst diversity.

Hide me under the shadow of my ego, O Lord,
dark archetype, society's comfort zone;
make differences known,
intolerance own;
how can we a reconciling people be?

Micki Simms is a psychotherapist in private practice and a church musician. The first two lines of her poem, which are taken from an anthem by John E. West, are based on Psalms 17:8 and 91:11.