Psalm 23 Revisited...

Having grown up in the church (and Christian school -- and Christian College for that matter), I had always heard the 23rd Psalm read at funerals, or when someone needed guidance. I read it again recently for the first time in a long time. And although the words flowed freely from my memory, something else popped out at me that I wanted to share with you.

A psalm of David.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside still waters,
³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,^[a]
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.

This time, rather than hearing the words with a down-troddened voice, all that kept popping out at me where the PROMISES that God gives us. And here they are...

• Lead me beside quiet waters -- contentment
• Restores my soul
• Guides me in paths of righteousness
• Comfort me
• Prepare a Table before me
• Protect me in the presence of my enemies
• Anoint me with oil - my cup overflows

And a final resolve from the passage, "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".

I was encouraged by this passage as I approached it differently and received much more from it.

God promises us many things and he provides guidance, restoration, and confidence through his presences and his Word. I hope you take hold of them each day.