Mercy’s requite

A litany for worship inspired by Jeremiah 1:4-10 & Psalm 71

“I am but a child!” you say.
“What business do you have with people of no claim,
of no clout, of no clue about the road to repentance
and the return from exile?”

Aahh, O clueless one, of no claim and no clout,
you know not that of which you speak!
Before your mother’s maiden life, I knew you;
before your father’s toddling feet,
I planned your sinews and mapped your countenance.

O child of consecrated lips and covenant voice,
      relinquish your fear!
            You shall not be put to shame.
                  Your Refuge is secure.
It is you, O child of destined grace,
      who will utter the Word that will shatter all enmity.

So let the nations tremble at the
      joy-filled cymbal-clapping songs
                  of redemption’s approach.

Let every wicked grip and cruelty’s grasp
      be loosed by the grammar of praise.

No scorn, no disgrace, can ever erase
            the full pleasure of Mercy’s requite.

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org