THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM

 

THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM

A psalm is a song, poem or prayer that praises God, especially one in the Bible. The psalm which is cited below presents God as a shepherd and man as a grateful sheep.

The symbolic man in the psalm says that the Lord is his shepherd. He will not be in want because God restores his soul. He is guided by God in the paths of righteousness.  Even though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death, he will not be afraid of any harm, for God will be with him and His rod and His staff will protect him from his enemies.

 

The word rod’ in the Bible means power, authority, discipline and defence, and the word ‘staff’ a long, slender stick, with a hook or crook. These meanings are appropriate with the symbol of God as ‘shepherd.’      

 

The text of the Psalm reads as follows:

 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:

For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

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G.R.Kanwal

30 May 2024