It’s a familiar chapter (most of us have it memorized). It’s usually read at somber occasions…but if I can be real with you, Psalm 23 ISN’T MY FAVORITE. It’s never been my go to passage during tough times. Something about the ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death’ part always made me sad.  I prefer something a little more upbeat and encouraging. I like to be reminded that despite what I’m going through, God has ‘plans to prosper me’ and ‘He will finish the work He has begun.’

But as I sat there on the floor, I knew the Lord was asking me to open up my Bible and my mind, and meditate on Psalm 23.

God knew I needed it…and maybe you do too.

Let’s dive in…

Verse #1 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

* 9 words in English- but only 3 in Hebrew: YHWH RA’AH CHACER

Before David became King David, he held the title of Shepherd David. He had spent his teenage years in the fields protecting the sheep assigned to him.  Keep in mind, sheep aren’t exactly the brightest of all God’s creatures. They were clueless, helpless and couldn’t survive without the help of a shepherd.  David understood, as much as his sheep needed a shepherd, he needed one too.

Verse # 2  “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me besides quiet waters, He restores my soul.”

Why would a shepherd MAKE his sheep lie down?

Have you ever tried to put a cranky, overtired toddler down for some quiet time? You know they need it, but convincing them that they need it is a different story. Sometimes you just have to MAKE them!

Pastor Landon MacDonald says it’s the same for sheep. Sheep are anxious animals. In fact, they “get so anxious they won’t lie down…and THAT’S where the shepherd comes in. He MAKES them lie down in green pastures.”

By the way, these GREEN PASTURES aren’t exactly the lush green pasturelands I had always envisioned.  It looked more like a ROCKY WILDERNESS with blades of grass sprouting up between the rocks…but this terrain was IDEAL in keeping these sheep active and strong.

Verse #3 “He guides me in paths of righteousness, for His namesake.”

A path indicates someone (God) has already been where I am going. That in itself gives me comfort. And since my Shepherd has already been there, He will guide me through whatever path He is taking me on – not for my reputation or namesake but for HIS.

Verse #4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For YOU are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

THIS is the verse I always dreaded, but THIS is where the passage gets PERSONAL. Notice it goes from 3rd person to 2nd person. From HE to YOU.  David speaks to God as if He is sitting right next to him. We can do the same.

Verse #5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.”

No matter how much we try to run from troubles, some trials are simply inevitable (John 16:33)…but take heart my friend, seasons of adversity are often a part of God’s big pruning plan for our lives.

For it’s HERE (in the presence of our enemies), we get to experience God more than ever and see with our own eyes, ‘the table He has set before us.’

Verse #6 “Surely goodness & mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Imagine someone is following you. Don’t get creeped out, get encouraged. This someone is God and He chases after you with Goodness and Mercy.

And now for even better news….His goodness and mercy doesn’t end with this life, ‘We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’

Covid-19 came and went  (Thank you Jesus!)…oh, but the lessons we have learned in the process will stay with us forever.

Psalm 23.

YHWH RA’AH CHACER.

My Shepherd knew I needed this. Maybe you did too.

– Binu