A Psalm for the City and Drug Addiction

Inspired by “Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”

Psalm 80:3

My solicitous soul cries out at the sight of decomposing bodies that still breathe.

Tied to intoxicants in a cry for help, or maybe an act of defiance.

They’re wandering the streets. Raising their voices at invisible forces in a sobering cry.

There is a heart behind the eyes where widened pupils house a name only You know.

I see the substances that kill when their eyes close to the Light.

Surely, they’ll respond to You my God. Restore us, and we will be saved.

They are not my enemies, but a brother, a sister, and the sheep that wandered further.

Therefore, my soul cries out to heaven. Lord, do not turn away from this city.

Restore us again, God our saviour, and put away Your anger towards my people.

Are You not the one that brought dead bones to life,

So that we may know of Your unfailing love?

Prophesy breath to us again, Lord of Hosts. Save us from the neighbors' derision.

My Lord, the cries of their begging pierced my innermost and my eyes beheld much sorrow.

Only You can give sight to the blind. You spoke life, and it came from utter darkness.

Restore us O God, and we will call on Your name.

My hands are helpless, and my thoughts have no end.

I, no less than them, have closed my eyes to the Light that casts the shadow of my sin.

Restore us, my God; shine Your face towards us, that we may come to life.

My people, Your people, are caged in the decomposing bodies that still breathe.

In unison, like that of the heavenly beings that fill Your temple, may all of our hearts cry out:

“Redeem us, O God.

So that we may be free”.