Hello, lovely! I'm so excited you've decided to join me this week in studying the mystery that is God's Word. It is always my prayer that these writings would bless you, draw you nearer to the Lord, and create an avenue of revelation through which the Holy Spirit can speak to you, personally.
That being said, I felt inspired to begin a new series exploring the book of Psalms! The Psalms are some of my favorite writings throughout the Bible because they're a curated collection of poetry that invites the reader into an immersive experience - one in which the Biblical narrative is weaved throughout, and God's heart towards His people is revealed.
Comprised of over 150 lyrical poems, the book of Psalms is one of the most comprehensive books in the Bible! And as with all books in the Bible, there is a unifying message embedded into the Psalms that ultimately points to Jesus.
THE DESIGN
All 150 poems are divided into 5 distinct sections. The first two Psalms serve as an introduction, laying the foundation for what's to come and presenting the main themes of the entire series: the concept of a Temple, Torah (which is translated to "teaching"), the Messiah, and the Kingdom of God being established on Earth. These themes are further developed throughout each section, illustrating the complexity of the human experience, our need for a savior, and the hope restored to humanity through Christ.
One of the key characters/authors throughout the book of Psalms is David, king of ancient Israel and a "man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). (He also killed a lion with his bear hands and slayed a giant with a rock! He's pretty dope. 👌)
David authored 73 of the poems, so it's safe to say that understanding his character is crucial to understanding the book of Psalms. He provides an interesting perspective concerning life's hardships, the mistakes we make, and fears we all have; but most importantly, his heart of worship and deep devotion towards God captivates the reader while servings as a reflection of our own heart's deep yearning for the Lord.
Although written thousands of years ago, the themes discussed throughout the Psalms can be applied to us today. The Psalms are kind of like poetic prophecies, a book wherein wisdom flows freely, and the reader is invited to reflect upon life on Earth, and the hope for the glorious life that awaits us after death.
PSALM 23
This week we'll be delving into arguably the most popular Psalm ever written: Psalm 23, "The Lord is My Shepherd". Chances are that you've probably heard this Psalm in one way or another, so I thought it'd be great to start off the series on some familiar ground. If not, no worries! I promise there is still wisdom for you to glean from studying this Psalm.
Psalm 23 is so pertinent to our walk with God because it symbolizes the notion of trusting in the Lord. Trusting in God can seem like an abstract thing to do, especially because putting your trust in someone you can't physically see is quite difficult.
However, Psalm 23 beautifully illustrates what it means to trust in the Lord, and depicts the dependence upon God that is required to cultivate such a firm foundation of trust.
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters."
The first thing to notice here is the image being painted of a Shepherd and His sheep. The connotations attached to this image are intentional; before becoming king of Israel, David was a shepherd boy (1 Samuel 16:11). He personally knows about the responsibility of caring for a flock of sheep.
Secondly, Jesus refers to Himself as "the Good Shepherd" in John 10:11. He discusses the role of shepherd, stating that the good shepherd is willing to "lay his life down for the sheep."
Sheep are vulnerable to predators; they cannot do much of their own accord. They need proper guidance and care, which is why the Shepherd analogy is so potent: without God, we are subject to attack and vulnerable to destruction. In this type of relationship trust is built, and the sheep become acquainted with the voice of their shepherd. John 10:27 says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
The words "green pastures" and "still waters" paint an image of rest and peace that is bred out of intimacy with God, from spending time in His presence. The Lord refreshes, rejuvenates, and restores our souls. Like a good shepherd, He will never lead us astray!
"He leads 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;"
As you know, life has it's ups and downs. There are seasons of peace just as there are seasons of storms, and this portion of Scripture does not shy away from reality. Overall, this Psalm takes us on a journey through time with the Good Shepherd by our side.
He ushers us through the "green pastures" and "still waters" and "paths of righteousness" highlighted above... But life is not a continuous stroll through the tulips. There are storms that we inevitably walk through, as well. Because of the Lord's goodness, we are able to prevail through "the valley of the shadow of death" (symbolic of times of trouble) knowing that he still leads us. In the lows, this Psalm is a declaration of God's faithfulness, of His constancy throughout the journey of life.
"For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
By definition, nomadic pastoralism was a mode of agriculture that involved tending to livestock (e.g. sheep) and traveling to find green pastures on which to graze.
As they led their sheep from place to place, shepherds would often carve memories (e.g. names of towns, names of people, etc.) into the rods used to guide their sheep. A shepherd's rod often served as a reminder of the past - a reminder of where they've come from, and a tool used to point them towards their destination.
Symbolically, the rod and staff represent God's Word, which can be used as a tool of guidance, and a tool to comfort to us in times of distress and uncertainty. God's Word is the highest form of authority; we can trust that His Word will guide us - no matter what.
"You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over"
This portion of the Scripture assures us that even in the midst of our enemies, our Good Shepherd treats us favorably, causing us to feast and experience abundance in the faces of those who despise us. He is committed to seeing us prosper, and has purposed that we do just that. As described, He "anoint[s] our heads with oil"; the purpose of anointing is to consecrate something, to set it apart as holy with a divine purpose.
When David was still a young boy, he was anointed to be king of Israel. From that day forward --despite the mistakes he'd made, despite the times when he was burdened with fear, and despite seasons when his enemies were determined to kill him-- David's life was covered by the Spirit of the Lord and no weapon formed against him could prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
David was purposed to prosper and to glorify the Lord with his life. We can trust that as His precious flock, God has established the same promise over our lives, too!
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever."
As we follow the Lord, "goodness and mercy" follow us. They ensue as a result of our allegiance to God, pursuing us all of our days!
Lastly, I love how David ends the poem with the image of "dwell[ing] in the house of the Lord." Our aim should always be to reside in the presence of God. Sometimes He may feel far, but He is always near - He is with us forever.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this analysis of Psalm 23!
Reflect:
Does your life echo a complete dependence upon the Lord?
What are some ways you can practice trusting God?
Crystal ❤️