A "Psalm" of Lament

A recent assignment in my Psalms class was to write a prayer in the style of a Psalm. This is what I came up with.

A Psalm of Luke, lamenting the derision of the poor.

Lord, you are the God of mercy;

Enact justice for your poor.

How long, O Lord?

How long will your people despise your poor?

A wicked man spits on the traveler

And your people ignore the beggar

They despise the desperate drunk

And fear the frenzied madman.

Your poor trod the thoroughfares,

looking for sanctuary to lay their head,

seeking a place to rest their feet,

but they find no respite and are turned out to the streets.

They pitch their tents among your trees

but the wicked slash or burn them.

They sit in the public places

but are told to move along.

The streets cry out in weariness;

The sidewalks scream in anger.

Is there no place for your poor O Lord?

Must they wander forever?

Soften the hearts of the people O Lord

Open them to your call for kindness

Throw open the doors of their homes

Put their stoves to work making soup

Make their living rooms a place of refuge

Drive them to know and share your hospitality.

Lord, you are the God of mercy;

Enact justice for your poor.