Friday, April 25, 2014

The Seven Wonders of Psalm 23: Part One

 
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s same.
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.
You prepare before me a table in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

This passage has comforted broken hearts.

Soothed frazzled nerves.

Calmed panicked thoughts.

Given hope to the grieving.

It is David’s “Lord’s prayer.”

Many of us can quote it.

Perhaps we’ve read it a thousand times.

Do we experience its richness?

Have we ever feel the wonder David must have felt as he prayed these words?  
 
Psalm 23 is a description of David's close relationship with the Lord, and it expresses the choices he made to yield his life to Him.
 
David's walk with the Lord wasn't an accident, it was a walk full of choices. 
 
If we want an intimate relationship with God, we must make the same choices.   

This is the first of seven posts on this psalm of blessing - and the choices that bring us this blessing.



When has this psalm been a comfort to you?

 

8 comments:

  1. When I was young, Psalms didn't mean a great deal to me. I hadn't yet experienced sorrow or hardship. As time went on, the words of this psalm brought me comfort and peace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sherry, my mom had her Bible opened on her casket to the 23rd Psalm. I still have that photograph:) She was such a Godly woman, but I have comfort in knowing she is with Him!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a precious memory, Judy. Blessed assurance! Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  3. There is so much in this Psalm. I love that the rod and staff comfort me. I've needed that this past year. And God has comforted me in my great losses.
    Thanks for dropping by my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is, by far, the most comforting Psalm I've read. I use it a lot in my writing and when I'm faced with a tough time ahead. Thank you for posting this! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. my favorite line: "David's walk with the Lord wasn't an accident, it was a walk full of choices." Amen! I'm going to read the posts now...good timing for me :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry I haven't replied sooner. It was my Walk to Emmaus weekend. AMAZING!!
      I hope these posts bless you. Thanks for commenting.

      Delete