“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 ESV
I often associate Psalm 23 with funerals (although I do remember reciting it in church with my Sunday School class and having a party after with root beer!). But recently it’s brought me comfort in new ways, especially verse 6. I’d like to share with you what’s come to mind as I’ve read this passage of Scripture the past few weeks.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me [action] lie down in green pastures.
He leads me [action] beside still waters [Hebrew: “waters of rest”].
He restores [action] my soul. He leads me [action] in paths of righteousness [or “right paths”] for his name’s sake.
In this section, God protects me from myself. He wants to give me rest – Do I let Him do this for me? Or do I resist because culture tells me I need to be busy?
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death [deep darkness],
I will fear no evil, for you are [action] with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
In this section, God protects me from evil.
- “I walk through” – He doesn’t remove me from it, but He guides me through it (John 17:15)
- “shadow of death” – There needs to be light to be a shadow (Luke 1:78-79)
- “comfort” – Why does He comfort me? Because of His goodness (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV) How does He comfort me? By guiding me (with His “rod and staff”, which take different forms: Psalm 73:24 ESV)
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
- “prepare a table” – sustain me, nourish me, and grow me, even during difficult times (Psalm 9:9 ESV)
- “anoint me head with oil” – He blesses me (Matthew 5:3-11 ESV)
- “my cup overflows” – He blesses me in times of trouble, beyond what I can imagine (Ephesians 3:20 ESV)
Surely [only] goodness and mercy [steadfast love] shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever [Hebrew: “length of days”].
Why would God do this for me?
- “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV
- He cares: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 ESV
- He is my defender against evil: “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” 1 John 5:18 ESV
- He provides opportunities for me to “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV
How can you see God being your shepherd right now?
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 ESV
