1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
2. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
3. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
- Psalm 23
This Psalm shows us more about our own lives than we might realise, as we see David speaking to three sets of people in his life, which we also do.
In the opening line 1, David is speaking to someone other than himself, telling them how the Lord made him rest and recuperate. After that, the Lord restored David's soul, a most important work, bringing it back to where God can use it and where David can reap greater spiritual pleasures. David then encourages us about the great paths the Lord is leading him on.
Line 2 finds David speaking to the LORD, telling Him how his presence makes him feel; how protective he is, and how the blessings pour over him, regardless of his day-to-day troubles.
Line 3 shows David speaking to HIMSELF regarding his aims about the beautiful days to come, and the fulfilment of all his dreams and work — dwelling in the house of the Lord. Psalm 26:8 shows us how David felt about Lord's house, "I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth."
Psalm 27:4, shows us David's main dream, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
This short Psalm shows us our thoughts as we muse on our relationship with God. It shows how we run conversations through our minds, along with our dreams of the future with the Lord. When we are feeling down about our walk, or come upon difficulties, or we find ourselves battling through adversities, we can think on this Psalm and how David mused about both his present and future with the Lord. Psalm 23 does not display a troubled or anxious mind or heart, but one in full rest in the Lord.
Today's Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you again for David, and how he bared his heart for all to read, and for the apparent humility to do this. Help me to reflect on this Psalm, keeping anxiety far from me. Give me the ability to keep extracting the goodness from it, and be humble enough to share with others.
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