Psalm 23

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

What does the Image/Metaphor of Yahweh as Shepherd mean to you?

Psalm 23 is one of the most well known passages of scripture. it is one that many people hold near and dear to their heart. One of the interesting things about Psalm 23 is that it is truly a passage that is focused on the individual reader. Many of the Psalms are built or focused around community. This Psalm is focused on the personal relationship between the Author and God. Look at verse 1 again and you will see what I am talking about.

Psalm 23:1 NIV

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

There is a focus on My individuality. that is powerful and let us be honest at times we need that kind of focus.

When was the last time you found yourself at Peace? What was your Environment?

Peace comes from the Shepherd. It happens because of who Yahweh is.

Psalm 23:2–3 NIV

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

I always think about the image of laying down on a hill side in the green grass looking up at the clouds on a beautiful spring day and enjoying the time as the clouds roll by and it is just perfect. The author here though is calling us to remember that place of peace and tranquility. The Shepherd wants that for his sheep and he will provide that. What is interesting though is that the refreshment doesn’t happen because of where we are at it is because of him. It is because we know his presence is with us. So we can gain peace.

Psalm 23:4 NIV

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 KJV 1900

4 Yea, 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.

What do you think when you heard the words Darkest Valley or the Shadow of Death?

The truth is that this is a dark place to be. I would argue that the KJV brings us to a place of utter hopelessness. The imagery it invokes is poetic to me that it is more than just a dark valley but it is a place of certain doom.

The truth here though is that we have no reason to fear because we have the hope of his rod and staff to guide and protect us. The Rod keeps the bad things away and the staff guides and directs us when the danger is close. that is a good place to be.

When someone makes you a promise how does that make you feel?

Promises are always a troublesome area. For some promises are a good thing. People who keep their promises people tend to trust them and their promise is uplifting. IF someone doesn’t keep their promise it leaves a negative and empty feeling for people.

A promise from God though is something to be cherished and trusted.

Psalm 23:5–6 NIV

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

God promises to prepare the table for us and to host us to care for us. This is an amazing promise that we can trust he will keep. that his goodness and love for us will follow us all our life. We have seen that In Jesus. and that is an uplifting thing that we can be confident in.