REFLECTIONS ON PSALM 23
In a consumer –oriented society, it is extremely difficult to hear the simple but radical message of Psalm 23: GOD IS THE ONLY NECESSITY OF LIFE!
While verse 1 is translated “I shall not lack nothing,” the traditional translation preserved by the NIV and the NRSV is particularly appropriate in a culture that teaches people to want everything.
Driven by greed rather than need, we can hardly imagine having only the necessities of life: food, drink, and shelter and protection.
Clever advertisers have succeeded in convincing us that what former generations considered incredible luxuries are now basic necessities.
To say in our prosperous context that God is the only necessity of life sounds hopelessly quaint and naïve.
Then again, the words of Jesus also strike us as naïve: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:25,33)
In effect, to make Psalm 23 our words is to affirm that we do not need to worry about our lives or our deaths.
God will provide, and God’s provision is grounded in the reality of God’s reign.
The proper response to simple good news of Psalm 23 and Jesus Christ is to trust God.
But this is precisely the rub.
In a secular society, we are encouraged to trust first ourselves and to work first to secure our own lives and futures.
Psalm 23 thus challenges us to affirm with the psalmist: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT.
To say that means to live humbly and gratefully as a child of God.
The third stanza of Isaac Watt’s beautiful metrical version of Psalm 23 expresses eloquently the simple truth that Psalm 23 communicates and commends to us:
The sure provisions of my God,
Attend me all my days,
O may Your House be my abode,
And all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled nest,
While others go and come,
No more a stranger or a guest,
But like a child at home.
Not only does Watts’s paraphrase capture the childlike trust articulated by Psalm 23, recalling Jesus’ words about entering the reign of God “like a little child.” (Mark 10:15), but also it calls to our attention the communal dimension of Psalm 23.
To be child at home means inevitably to be part of a family, to share community around a table.
Thus we are led to reflect on what it means to be apart of God’s household.
The implications are profound and radical: WE ARE NOT OUR OWN! WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER!
In his book “God the Economist,” M. Douglas Meeks recognizes the radical implications of Psalm 23.
He quotes Aubrey R. Johnson’s rendering of Psalm 23:6: “Yea, I shall be pursued in unfailing kindness everyday of my life, finding a home in the Household of Yahweh for many a long year.”
Because, as Psalm 23 affirms, God is the source of all food and drink and security, because we belong first and forever to God’s household, our lives are transformed.
Daily realities are not to be taken for granted and certainly not to be treated as rewards we have earned.
Psalm 23, like the Lord’s Supper, becomes finally an invitation to live under God’s rule and in solidarity with all God’s children.
Thus to make Psalm 23 our own is a profoundly radical affirmation of faith that transforms our lives and our world.
To be sure, Psalm 23 is to be heard in the midst of death and dying, but it is also to be heard amid the ordinary daily activities of living.
And it gives daily activities an extraordinary significance, for it invites us to share daily bread with all God’s people.
It is inevitable that Christians hear in Psalm 23 testimony to Jesus Christ.
Jesus became the gracious host who prepared a table that reconciles enemies and offers life.
NOTE: Mark 14:22-25. Interestingly, Mark 14:27 alludes to Zechariah 13:7, a passage about sheep and shepherds.
In a story with obvious eucharistic overtones, Jesus feeds people. (Mark 6:39)
The crowd is “to sit down on the green grass,’ a detail that recalls Psalm 23:2.
That the allusion is not coincidental is suggested by Mark’s description of Jesus’ motivation for having compassion on the crowd: “they were like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mark 6:34)
Jesus serves as both host and shepherd, acting out the two metaphors of Psalm 23.
Jesus is cast even more clearly in the role of shepherd in John 10:17.
As in Psalm 23, the shepherd:
Leads the sheep (John 10:3)
Providing food (John 10:9)
Protection (John 10:12-13)
For the purpose of sustaining life itself (John 10:10)
And Jesus says specifically, “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14)
Interesting too in John 10 is the enigmatic mention of “other sheep that do not belong to this fold.” (John 10:16)
Does this refer to Christians beyond the Johannine community?
Does this refer more broadly to adherents of other world religions?
The solution is unclear, but in the light of the communal conclusion of Psalm 23, especially in view of the conclusion of Psalm 22, where “all the ends of the earth” and “all the families of the nations” are to “turn to the Lord” and “worship Him.” (Psalm 22:27)
It is worthy of note that John 10 envisions God’s household in very open terms, with room perhaps for “enemies and even for “all the families of the nations.” (Psalm 23:5)(Psalm 22:27)
This thrust toward universality is present too in the relationship between Jesus and Psalm 23:4; “You are with me.”
According to Matthew, Jesus is to be named “Emmanuel, God is with us”
This affirmation provides a frame for the Gospel, the final words of which are “ I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
This final affirmation of Emanuel is in the context of Jesus’ commission to “make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
God intends for His household to include “the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 22:27)
In short, in New Testament terms, Jesus is the Shepherd, host, Emmanuel.
When Psalm 23 is heard in the context of Psalm 22 and of Jesus Christ, its profoundly radical implications are even clearer:
GOD IS WITH US, BUT GOD IS NOT OURS TO OWN. THE GOD WHO SHEPHERDS US TO LIFE ALSO GIVES LIFE TO THE WORLD; THE TABLE AT WHICH WE ARE HOSTED IS ONE TO WHICH THE WHOLE WORLD IS INVITED.
The Lord (Yahweh) is my Shepherd, therefore I shall not want for:
REST: He makes me lie down in green pastures.
REFRESHMENT: He leads me beside the quiet waters.
RESTORATION: He restores my soul
GUIDANCE: He leads me in the paths of righteousness.
COURAGE: I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
COMFORT: Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.
SUPPLY: You prepare a table before me.
PROTECTION: In the presence of my enemies.
POWER: You anoint my head with oil.
GOODNESS AND MERCY: My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the day of my life.
FOREVER: I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I SHALL NOT LACK
I shall not lack rest or provision. Why? “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”
I shall not lack peace. Why? “He leads me besides the still water.”
I shall not lack restoration and encouragement when I faint; fail, or fall. Why? “He restores my soul.”
I shall not lack guidance and fellowship. Why? “He guides me in the paths of righteousness.”
I shall not lack courage when my way is dark. Why? “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil.”
I shall not lack companionship. Why? “For You are with me.”
I shall not lack constant comfort. Why? “Your rod and staff, they comfort me.”
I shall not lack for protection and honor. Why? “You prepare at table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
I shall not lack power. Why? “You anoint my head with oil.”
I shall not lack abundance. Why? “My cup overflows.”
I shall not lack God’s perpetual presence. Why? “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
I shall not lack security. Why? “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
TRAITS OF GOD IN PSALM 23
In his book “The Names of God,” by Elmer Towns, it is interesting to note that there are other names of God throughout Psalm 23:
The Lord is my Shepherd (vs 1) JEHOVAH ROHI THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD (Psalm 23:1)
I shall not want (vs 1) JEHOVAL JIREH THE LORD WHO PROVIDES (Genesis 22:14)
He leads me beside still waters JEHOVAH SHALOM THE LORD OUR (vs 2) PEACE (Judges 6:24)
He restores my soul (vs 3) JEHOVAL ROPHE THE LORD OUR HEALER (Exodus 15:26)
He leads me in the paths JEHOVAH TSIDKENU THE LORD OUR of righteousness (vs 3) RIGHTEOUSNESS (Jeremiah 23:6)
I will fear no evil (vs 4) JEHOVAH NISSI THE LORD OUR BANNER (Exodus 17:15)
You are with me (vs 4) JEHOVAH SHAMMAH THE LORD IS THERE (Ezekiel 48:35)
You anoint my head with oil (vs 5) JEHOVAH MEDADDISHKEHN THE LORD
WHO SANCTIFIES (Exodus 31:13)
ARTICLES FROM “OUR DAILY BREAD” ON PSALM 23
April 19, 2007
The Peace-Of-Mind Game
READ: Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. —Psalm 23:1
In her down-to-earth book More Than Sparrows, Mary Welch tells of her discussion about worry with a group of teenagers. Although they were Christians, they were as worried as unbelievers about the common things of life. As she lovingly listened to them, an unusual idea came to her for a game they could play. It went like this:
Instead of saying, “I’m worried,” stop and say, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Then add, “So I’m worried to death!” The students laughed at the absurdity of the idea, but they all promised to play this new “peace-of-mind” game.
Later, Mary received a phone call from a young woman who had been paralyzed by worry over an exam she had been dreading to take. She said, “I must tell you how the game helped me trust God today. As I froze with worry, I remembered to say, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd . . . so I’m afraid I’ll fail!’ Suddenly I felt the strangest peace of mind. I laughed at myself, then I took the exam—and I passed!”
Saying “The Lord is my Shepherd, and I am worried to death” is more than a mind game to point out the absurdity of worry. God can use this contradiction to bring us to a fuller trust in Him.— Joanie Yoder
Why worry when you can pray?Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay;Don’t be a “doubting Thomas,” rest fully on His promise.Why worry when you can pray? —Peterson© Renewal 1977 Singspiration, Inc.
Worry is the interest you pay on borrowed trouble.
November 9, 2004
Hope For Worriers
READ: Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. —Psalm 23:1
Everyone worries occasionally, but I was once a "professional worrier." My daily preoccupation was mulling over my worries, one by one.
Then one day I had to face an uncomfortable medical test, and I was frantic with fear. Finally I decided that during the test I would focus on the first five words of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd." This exercise in meditation not only calmed me, but I gained several fresh insights. Later, as I slowly meditated through the entire psalm, the Lord gave me more insights.
Eventually I was able to share at conferences what the Lord had taught me.
If you're a worrier, there's hope for you too! Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, wrote: "When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that's called worry. When you think about God's Word over and over in your mind, that's meditation. If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate!"
The more we meditate on God's Word, the less we need to worry. In Psalm 23, David meditated on his great Shepherd instead of worrying. Later, God chose him to be the shepherd of His people (Psalm 78:70-72). God uses those who can honestly say, "The Lord is my shepherd."— Joanie Yoder
When fear and worry test your faithAnd anxious thoughts assail,Remember God is in controlAnd He will never fail. —Sper
The more we think about God's Word, the less we'll think about our worries.
March 4, 2006
Another Walk With Whitaker
READ: Psalm 23
He leads me. —Psalm 23:2
My dog Whitaker and I like to take early-morning walks through the woods. He runs ahead while I amble along, meditating or praying. I know where we’re going; he’s not sure. I stay on the trail and he trots ahead—sniffing, investigating, and taking occasional forays into the forest to chase real or imagined chipmunks.
Though Whit is ahead, I’m leading. Every so often he checks to see where I am. If I’ve turned back toward home or gone on to another trail, I hear his pounding feet and panting breath as he races to catch up with me. If I hide behind some brush, he runs to the last place he saw me and tracks me down. Then we walk the trail together again.
It’s like that with God’s leading. He knows the way because He has prepared the way. But sometimes we may not see Him—so we do our best to go where He wants by following the guidance of His Word. Other times it may seem as if He is hidden from us. His pace may not be as fast as we would like, or we wish He would slow down.
Just as Whitaker keeps looking back at me, we need to look to God and His Word at every important juncture we come to. We must rely on the direction of His Spirit.
That’s what I thought about today while I was walking with Whitaker.— David C. Egner
Lead me, if Thou wilt, dear Master,Where the whispering waters flow;Guide me through the soft green pastures,Let me all Thy goodness know. —Rae
If you want God to lead you, be willing to follow.
March 29, 2007
Noon
READ: Psalm 23
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. —Psalm 23:2
Our office is a busy place where things sometimes feel like they are moving at breakneck speed. This often involves meeting after meeting, hallway conferences, and an avalanche of e-mail.
In the midst of this extreme busyness, I sometimes feel the need to escape, to decompress. My response? To create a quiet place. On those days when I have no lunch meeting, I retreat to the quiet of my car. I grab some lunch and sit in my car, where I can read, listen to music, think, pray—and be refreshed.
I think this is the essence of what the shepherd-psalmist points to in Psalm 23:2. He sees the Good Shepherd bringing him to “still waters”—that is, waters to rest by. It pictures a quiet place, a retreat from the pressures of life, where you can rest in the presence of the Shepherd of your heart and be strengthened for what lies ahead. Even Jesus withdrew to a solitary place to pray and commune with His Father (Mark 1:35).
We all need retreats in our lives, not only because of the overwhelming nature of life, but because of our dependence on the resources of the Master. In our fast-paced days, it is essential to find a place of solitude, “a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.” Where’s yours?— Bill Crowder
There is a place of quiet rest,Near to the heart of God,A place where sin cannot molest,Near to the heart of God. —McAfee
When we draw near to God our minds are refreshed and our strength is renewed!
May 30, 2003
Finding Rest
READ: Psalm 23
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. —Psalm 23:3
According to a survey conducted by an insurance company, one of every six workers in the US feels too busy to take all the vacation days he or she has earned. Even though studies show that a week's holiday each year can dramatically reduce stress and the risk of heart attack, many people just keep working.
A vacation can be good for body and soul. But many people don't have the luxury of time away from work and daily responsibilities. What can we do when we must remain in demanding circumstances?
Psalm 23 paints a beautiful word picture of a caring shepherd, secure sheep, and a tranquil scene of quiet meadows and still waters. But it is the Lord, our shepherd, who gives rest, not the green grass or the flowing stream. "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (v.3).
Rest is a place of peace that our spirits find in God. Neither the presence of those who oppose us nor the dark valley of death can keep us from what hymnwriter Cleland McAfee called "a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God." Through prayer and meditation on His Word, we can commune with Him. In the Lord's presence we can experience the rest and renewal we so desperately need.— David C. McCasland
There is a place of comfort sweet,Near to the heart of God, A place where we our Savior meet,Near to the heart of God. —McAfee
Spending quiet time with God will bring quiet rest from God.
April 6, 2004
Valley Of The Shadow
READ: Psalm 23
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. —Psalm 23:4
Darkness upon darkness. Sorrow upon sorrow. Pain upon pain. Anguish upon anguish. That's death.
Death is a fearful visitor, snatching away people who are precious to us and leaving us behind to mourn, grieve, and wonder. It blocks the light that before had shined so freely and easily on our lives.
Whether we're facing the prospect of dying, or dealing with the death of a loved one, death can be devastating. It can sap our energy, change our plans, overwhelm our soul, alter our outlook, test our faith, steal our joy, and challenge our assumptions about life's purposes.
When we walk through the deep valley, we feel swallowed up by the shadow and come face-to-face with fear. The frantic emptiness of our loss threatens the comfort that previously originated from our trust in God, and so we grow afraid. Afraid of our future. Afraid to enjoy life again.
Yet in that valley, under that shadow, we can say to the Lord, "I will fear no evil; for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4). His loving arms never let us go. He is always with us.
Slowly at first, but most assuredly, He provides comfort and release from the darkness. He gives light. He leads us out. Eventually, we escape the valley of the shadow.— Dave Branon
We need not ponder death with fear,Though what's ahead we cannot see;For we who put our faith in ChristLook forward to eternity. —Sper
Death separates us for a time; Christ will reunite us forever.
August 15, 2001
'Here I Come'
READ: Psalm 23:1-6
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. --Psalm 23:4
When I was about 10 years old, I climbed a big pine tree in our yard. Grabbing the topmost branch, I pulled myself up to gain the highest vantage point possible. Suddenly the tip of the old pine snapped and I came plummeting down, landing flat on my back. The impact knocked the wind out of me. As I lay gasping for breath, I thought I was dying—but I wasn't alarmed. In fact, I can recall thinking, I'm going to heaven. Just before lapsing into unconsciousness, I said, "Father, here I come."
My dad was reading under a tree nearby and heard me come crashing down. Rushing over, he picked me up and carried me into the house. How surprised I was to open my eyes and find myself on the couch instead of in heaven!
That experience taught me at a young age that the Christian can have peace even in the valley of the shadow of death. For believers, "to be absent from the body" is "to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). As children of God, we can live each day with the assurance that come what may, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
If you know Christ as your Savior, you too can experience a wonderful peace—even when you are called to walk through the "valley of the shadow" (Psalm 23:4). — Richard De Haan
God holds our future in His handsAnd gives us every breath;Just knowing that He's by our sideAllays our fear of death. —Sper
If you live for eternity, you can die with serenity.
June 1, 2005
God Said That
READ: Psalm 23
You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. —Psalm 23:4
When 8-year-old Jacob visited his Grampa in the hospital, he came with his own custom-made "Get Well" card. It was an 81/2" x 11" piece of stiff white paper folded in half. On the front he had written, "Hope you feel better soon." On the inside, in large block letters, was this message:
I will be with youwherever you go.
There was no Scripture reference, so Jacob added these words: "God said that." He wanted to be sure I didn't expect him to be at my side during my entire hospital stay.
That added note conveyed an unintended and deeper truth that brought a smile to my face and comfort to my heart. A hospital can be a lonely place. It's a world of unfamiliar faces, first-time medical procedures, and uncertain diagnoses. But it's in just such a setting that God can quiet an anxious heart and give assurance that He'll go with you down every hall, through every new door, into any unknown future—yes, even through "the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4).
Maybe you have had an unexpected setback or loss. Your future is unknown. Trusting Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you can be sure of this: He will go with you wherever you go. You can believe it. God said that! — Dennis J. De Haan
Whenever I feel that Christ is near,All cares and sorrows flee;He is my strength, my hope, my life,He's all in all to me. —Lewis
No danger can come so near the Christian that God is not nearer.
January 23, 1996
Dying Grace
READ: Psalm 23:1-6
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. --Psalm 23:4
Several years ago I read a pamphlet that quoted the dying words of various people who did not profess faith in Jesus Christ. The English atheist Thomas Hobbes said, "I am taking a fearful leap into the dark!" The French infidel Voltaire cried out, "I am abandoned by God and man; I shall go to hell!" Sir Francis Newport wailed in anguish, "Oh, eternity, eternity forever and forever! Oh, the unsufferable pangs of hell!"
What a sobering contrast to the last words of people who knew and loved Christ as their Lord and Savior. Dwight L. Moody said, "This is glorious! Earth recedes; heaven is opening; God is calling me!" Sir David Brewster declared, "I will see Jesus--see Him as He is. I have had the light for many years. Oh, how bright it is! I feel so safe, so satisfied!" And these words from a man being burned at the stake: "Blessed be the time that ever I was born for this day. We shall not lose our lives in this fire," he said to his fellow martyrs, "but only change them for something better."
Child of God, even if physical pain and heartache are a part of our closing days, the heavenly Father will give us dying grace. When we pass through that dark valley, we need not fear. The Great Shepherd will be with us. — Richard De Haan
Thy rod and staff shall cheer meIn death's dark vale and shade,For Thou wilt then be near me--I shall not be afraid. --Ewing
Those who truly fear God need not fear death.
April 18, 2001
Light Beyond The Valley
READ: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. --Psalm 23:4
Death comes eventually to us all. Yet, for the Christian, the dark door of death is to be viewed as only a shadow. As frightening as death may appear, on the other side is the bright and shining gate that leads to life—eternity with Jesus!
Author William H. Ridgeway recalls that when he was a boy he and his friends would pick berries. After filling their baskets, they would wait beside a nearby railroad track. As the sun was sinking in the west, a train would come by and "run over them." Of course the iron monster with its thundering noise and screaming whistle didn't actually run over them at all. It was only the shadow that passed over them.
There they sat, knowing there was no danger but shivering in anticipation at the approaching locomotive and boxcars. As the train swept by them, they were in its shadow for just a few moments and then it was gone. The setting sun bathed them in a golden glow as they walked to the inviting warmth of home. What a wonderful illustration of what it means for the Christian to "walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4).
We need not fear the chilling shadow of death—for the Lord is with us (v.4), and we have a home with Him waiting for us just beyond (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). — Henry G. Bosch
Say not it's a dreadful journeyWhen the Savior leads the way;It's but passing through the shadowsTo the land of endless day! —Bosch
For the Christian, death is the last shadow before heaven's dawn.
December 16, 1998
Our Forever Home
READ: John 14:1-6
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. --Psalm 23:6
Night was falling and the weather deteriorating as I began the long drive home. The snow that had been falling lightly became heavier. Gale-force winds soon whipped it into a blinding curtain in front of my car. Only intense concentration and prayer kept me on the road.As the 21/2-hour drive stretched to 3, then 4, my muscles ached and my eyes burned. Never had home sounded so good!
When I finally walked though the doorway and collapsed in a chair, I felt great relief.
Sometimes our journey as followers of Christ is like that snowy drive. We struggle through long days of hard work and difficulty. When disappointment and sorrow come, our thoughts go to those wonderful passages of the Bible that describe our home in heaven. It heartens us to think of entering the Lord's presence where we will abide forever.
C. S. Lewis wrote a wonderful allegory called The Chronicles of Narnia in which he describes the unicorn's first glimpse of heaven. The unicorn exclaims, "I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I've been looking for all my life."
In a small way, that expresses how we will feel when we reach our forever home. — David C. Egner
To run life's grueling race, to win the lasting prize--To finally succeed in this endeavor--Look to the day you'll gaze into the Savior's eyesAnd understand you're home with Him forever. --Gustafson
Heaven's delights will far outweigh earth's difficulties.
RESOURCES:
Elmer Towns, “The Names of God”
Holman Bible Dictionary
Philip Yancy, “A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm”
Dr. Harold E. Jones, “The Ministry of the Twenty Third Psalm”
Discovery House Publishers, “The Lord is My Shepherd.”
