J. Chester Johnsonwas the poet on the drafting committee for the retranslation of the Psalms, the version now contained in the 1979 Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. He served in this role from 1971 until the project ended with the final publication of a newly retranslated Psalter. For this service to the Episcopal Church, Johnson received a special citation in December 1979 from the Church's Standing Liturgical Commission. He also authored the Litany of Offense and Apology in poetry and prose for the national Day of Repentance (October 4, 2008) when, with the Presiding Bishop officiating, the Episcopal Church formally apologized for its role in transatlantic slavery and related evils.