1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
This psalm gives me chills. Especially when read in the King James Language. It reminds me of learning it as a 2nd grader, hearing other young children learn it, and reciting is at loved ones funerals. It is one of those pieces of literature that stands alone in meaning, understanding, and evoking emotion. At no other place in the psalms is God called a shepherd or referenced in such a tender, intimate way. Looking over the imagery of the previous Psalm we have read and prayed, this one is markedly different.
In structure, it is simple, but it begins and ends with the LORD. I like patterns, and there is nothing more fitting a pattern than to begin and end with God. The psalm which speaks of intimacy with God, also speaks of abundance. The only two characters in this psalm are the sheep and the shepherd. That does not mean that God does not care about the flock. But when we walk the the Lord, there is a personal touch to what God provides. This Psalm reminds me of death, but no other Psalm could be more about life lived with the Good Shepherd. As you pray this Psalm, give thanks for the relationship that God can have and wants to have with each one of us.
Pray Psalm 23.
