Psalm 23 “For you are with me…”

Psalm 23 A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2     He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3     he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths     for his name’s sake. 4 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. 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.

“Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm “Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Its peace is not escape; its contentment is not complacency: there is readiness to face deep darkness and imminent attack, and the climax reveals a love which homes towards no material goal but to the Lord himself”. Derek Kidner

The Lord is my shepherd David was a shepherded Remember when Samuel was looking for him he wasn’t even considered Shepherds were not seen as social high climbers They stank They slept with their sheep They knew everything about them Shepherds are close to their sheep God is close to you weather you acknowledge him or not he is besides you

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,” Numbers 10:33 33 So they set out from the mountain of the Lord and travelled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest. Commentators suggest David is tapping into this Idea of God leading Israel through the dessert to a place of rest on the journey. The idea here is to rest refresh & continue the journey Knowing that “The Valley” is ahead The idea is prep for the road ahead not that The Shepherd will stop the Valley experience

 ”he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” The Shepherd is along for the journey, you're not on your own Its impossible for God to refresh you if you’re not in fellowship with him Friendship with God Not just 15 min in the morning Practice of acknowledging God’s presence with you all day long, speaking, listening Being refreshed on the road

4 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. The Valley of the shadow is a real place Valley between Jericho & Jerusalem Shepherds would use the valley to escape the sun & heat Yet is was a place used by bandits & thieves very dangerous The Hebrew word used here describes both a darkens that’s as dark as death Also describes actual death death. The shepherd goes from leading to be with me Rod was worn on a belt & used as protection Staff was a walking tool & used to guide sheep

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil;      my cup overflows. Our Sheep & shepherd metaphor is now finished Were moving into something much deeper Now enemies are all sitting around a table! (Possible Absalom & David reconciliation) In ancient times relationships were strengthened around a meal, covenants were formed! 1 Cor 11:25 “This cup is a new covenant in my blood…” The shepherd leads sheep to a place where they can mature & create covenants & love enemies

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. Post the Table ….. Goodness & Love some translations say “Mercy” Different from enemies & revenge, eye for an eye etc House of the Lord is suggested to an OT beginnings of Jesus “Kingdom” Where what God wants to be done is done Enemy love, trusting him & treating others with love & respect is normal & natural