The 23rd Psalm is near and dear to my heart. My mom (a former schoolteacher, now principal) taught it to my sisters and I when we were toddlers. Apparently, she taught us the NIV version at about the same time we learned to memorize our address. Family legend has it that one of us (Me? Or my sister Hannah?) got a little bit mixed up and said on at least one occasion, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in Buckley, Washington..." :)
I think it's interesting that this passage was probably the first chapter of the Bible I ever memorized. It says a lot about God and about living your life with Him--things my Mom probably wanted me to know (virtually) all my life. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me this:
God, my shepherd!
I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
Isn't that good?!?
I think David's depiction of the shepherd's crook is interesting--he wrote it "makes me feel secure." As a shepherd, David knew that the crook was used to provide not only guidance, but protection and correction to a herd--akin to how God's commandments and His Word can guide and protect our lives.
I also adore the idea of God's love chasing after us. Sometimes, people write verses and songs about running and chasing after God. I get what they're trying to say, but ultimately, God first loved us so much that He died for us. That's even more extreme than a chase!
Lastly, David's love for the House of God is definitely noteworthy--he wanted to find a home in it forever. How many people love church that much? David knew that God loved His House. God was there. So David loved God's House. Period.
Tomorrow: Psalm 26-31
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