Posts Tagged Psalm 23

Sheep Have To Work

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

These are the words from Psalm 23, one of the best known of all David’s psalms. It paints a beautiful picture of how a shepherd cares for his sheep, and how God cares for us. In the Contemporary English translation the first three verses read: “You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.”

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Keep Going

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”

In this fourth verse of Psalm 23 David talks about going through a valley. All us of have lived through difficult times; they are an unavoidable reality of life. Although we’d much rather go over, under or around them, sometimes the only way is through.

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He Is My Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.” (NLT)
 
These familiar words begin Psalm 23, a Psalm attributed to King David that contrasts God’s loving care for His children with the way a shepherd loves and cares for his sheep.  He makes sure that they are fed, rested and protected.  Sheep are gentle and harmless creatures, so the shepherd guides them toward lush pastures. They are easily startled so he tries to keep them in peaceful settings. They spend about fifteen percent of their time sleeping, but may lie down and rest at other times. If they become stressed or agitated, the shepherd encourages them to lie down and rest.
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