scripture and prayer reflection
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Lyrics
God is my shepherd
I won't be wanting
I won't be wanting
He makes me rest
In fields of green
With quiet streams
Even though I walk
Through the valley
Of death and dying
I will not fear
Cause you are with me
You are with me
Your shepherd's staff
Comforts me
You are my feast
In the presence of enemies
Surely goodness
Will follow me
Follow me
In the house of God forever
God is my shepherd
I won't be wanting
I won't be wanting
He makes me rest
In fields of green
By quiet streams
Even while I’m walking
Through the valley
Of death and dying
I will not fear
Cause you are with me
You’re always with me
Your shepherd's staff
Comforts me
You are my feast
In the presence of enemies
Surely goodness
Will follow me
Follow me
In the house of God forever
In the house of God forever
In the house of God forever
Psalm 23:1-6
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 leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
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.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Reflection
Psalm 23 is a go-to for many, having brought comfort and strength to innumerable people over the millennia. What is it about this psalm that so speaks to our hearts? Is it the imagery of our good Shepherd and His care for us? The promise of His presence with us through even the darkest and most dangerous of times? The abundance of life that is described?
Lying at the core of this psalm is a centered trust and dependence based on the security we have in God — trust in and dependence on Him for His provision, guidance, accessibility in His close presence with us, protection, and blessing. I think one of the many reasons why so many turn to this psalm for comfort is that in it we receive a crystal clear picture of what trust and dependence built on real security look like. There is a turning of the heart toward God as Shepherd, waiting for His instruction, looking to Him for safety, trusting that He will care for our needs whatever they may be. As we meditate on these words and lean into them, the image of trust reflected in this psalm centers us, cultivating a similar trust and dependence in our own hearts. Our souls learn to trace David’s words in our own experiences, orienting our hope to God as our surety, our security. No matter what happens, we cannot be taken out of his love. We are ultimately secure and unshakable.
Take some time to reflect on your own life. Where do you long to grow in trust with God? Where are you prone to depend on other things rather than God? What would help your heart to reorient to Him for those needs? Is there anything right now that you need to entrust to Him? Find a quiet place to sit in stillness and listen to the words of the psalm sung, seeking to enter into the trust and dependence at the core of the words. Talk with God about what comes up.