PSALM OF THE END

PSALM OF THE END

1. God, we've forgotten your teaching:

that the kingdom of heaven is close to us!

2. Humanity seems to have been around so long:

we assume our life just continues for ever.

3. We no longer believe in resurrection:

these days we think we're immortal -

4. progress must continue for humanity:

even if not for me, the future's infallible.

5. We'd like to believe that life will go on:

this planet cocooned in the palm of your hand;

6. but isn't that arrogant and selfish:

where is your promise of the 'end of the world'?

7. A doctor must try to avoid the suggestion of death:

hospitals are there to keep us alive;

8. surgery can offer me continuing youthfulness:

any expense is worth while to keep dying at bay.

9. But you have taught us that you are my end:

it's only by dying that I'm born again;

10. Jesus fulfilled your will by dying:

to live and settle down was his last temptation.

11. Today we're expected to face global catastrophe:

the explosion of the earth by comet or collision,

12. or we'll bomb or pollute ourselves out of existence:

just like the dinosaurs, humanity could perish.

13. So help me, God, to face up to my end:

I know I must die, can I find you in my dying?

14. Help us as nations take finality as possible:

you are in our endings as you were in our beginnings.

15. Guide us in living with the chance of disaster:

sudden death not the horror that it held for our forbears.

16. If you are with me today, and close to me this minute:

your kingdom of heaven is always at hand.