Rediscover Psalm 23

Written by king David, Psalm 23 is truly a song of praise. Though not always recognized as such, the psalm acknowledges God for many of the things He provides. Misinterpretation of the King James Version often lead readers to believe they were not allowed to want more than they already had: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

And—Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; This fourth verse has often been accepted as even through death, God is with me. This interpretation leaves a negative understanding of a core Christian truth that Christians overcome death. It is the final verse, six, that clearly states: “and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Psalm 23 is notably one of the most popular psalms. It declares acts of love we receive from God:

relationship
supply
provision
rest
healing
guidance
deathlessness
protection
faithfulness
hope
consecration
abundance and
blessings.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

In the first verse, David, in a faithful relationship with God, proclaims God supplies all of his needs.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

To a shepherd, which is what David did as a young man, owning green pastures meant the shepherd was providing land where his flocks could graze. And being supplied with a stream to rest was a blessing.

he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Because of Adam and the fall, man lost our souls; but through God our souls are healed and we are bought back to God. Keeping us as His children, He guides us as righteous through Jesus’ suffering on the cross.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Through Jesus’ blood we pass “the darkest valley”—the place where the shadow of death resides. But the valley is not “death” itself, because we as believers are deathless. We inherit eternal life. With no fear, we are assured of His protection and faithfulness.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Our hope is in the LORD, knowing that no matter what life throws at us, no matter how complicated our circumstance, God is here to help because He loves us. He proves this, again, by consecrating us as His own, abundantly giving us more than we need.

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.

When we are children of God, believers of Jesus Christ, there is no need to search for love anymore, because God found us! It is our blessing, God’s love, that follows us all of our days here on earth. Then, we will live with Him forever. Amen.

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