NOTE: An interpretive drama (Reader’s Theatre) is one in which cast members keep a copy of the script and hold it throughout the performance. They face the audience (never looking at each other) with very little movement. The inflection of the voice (interpretation) in the performance and the repetition of the script are what make this type of drama stand out.
Style: Drama. Duration: 4min
Actors: 4M/F
Scripture: Psalm 36 (with emphasis on vv5-10)
Cast
4 parts, gender neutral. Can be expanded or consolidated to allow for fewer or more cast members. (Can be integrated with slide show or soft background music.)
Script
All: No Fear of God
1 - Foolish godlessness
2 - Smug conceit
3 - Sin proceeds from the wicked
4 - Yet we are so loved
All: Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens
4 - Merciful God
2 - The test of love: it gives…
3 - …it gives even when no return is expected.
1 - Love given freely and openly
2 - Love beyond reason
All: Your faithfulness, stretches across the sky
1 - Like a beautiful necklace
3 - Bind love and faithfulness
4 - Around your neck
2 - As clouds across a sunlit sky
All: Your righteousness is like the mighty mountain
1 - Run the race
4 - Give us endurance
2 – With your Word a light for the path
3 – We scale the heights and see your glory!
1 - Blessed are all who fear the Lord
4 - Blessed are those who walk in your ways
All: Your justice, Lord, is like the great deep
2 - All creatures are yours
3 - Flawed, wounded, broken and bent
1 - Clay pots
3 - Cracked pots
4 - All realms are yours
All: I sing, Great is the Lord
1 - Children of men, rejoice!
2 - Our heart’s cry…
3 - …is but a faint echo
4 - Of your unfailing Love
All: Great is the Lord
3 - We live under the shadow of your wings
1 - The shadow of the Cross
4 - We put our trust in Jesus
2 - Cleanse our guilt
4 - Take away our shame
1 - For you alone have atoned for our sins
All: Great is the Lord
2 - Love notices
3 - Love listens
4 - Love remembers
1 - Turn, O Lord, and deliver me
4 - Save me
3 - Because of your unfailing Love
All: Great is the Lord
2 - We glorify you
1 - We honor you
4 - We give thanks to you
3 - We worship you
All: We feast on the abundance of your house
4 - A safe haven
3 - A second chance
1 – A “do-over”
2 – Overcome disadvantage and persecution
1 – Through your grace and mercy
2 - The fullness of life
3 - The will to make it so
All: You give us drink from your river of delights
4 - The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook
3 - Drink deeply
2 - And be filled
1 - With the Holy Spirit
All: For with you is the fountain of life
2 - Water of Life
4 - Forever quenching our thirst
3 - Who can we touch to share the gift?
1 - Free to risk all
3 – To the Glory of your Name
All: In your light we see the light
4 - Turn our darkness into light
1 - God’s commitment to justice
4 - God’s longing to forgive
2 - Meet at the cross
3 - All are precious in your sight
All: Your Love continues
2 - When we called
3 - You answered
1 - Make us bold
4 - And stouthearted
All - To respond to your call:
1,3 - …for development
2,4 - …for relief
1 - …for justice
All: We bow down and praise your Name. Hallelujah!
…………………….
End Notes
For a complete worship experience, preface by reading of Psalm 36 and group reflection as chorus sings classical composition prior to drama, followed by group rendition of popular version.
© Copyright Eric Schmidt, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted at: