Psalm 23 - The Lord/Jehovah is my shepherd
-Lit -ASV
1. |4210| A psalm |1732| of David.
|3068| Yahweh {is} |7462| my shepherd, |3808| not |2637| I will lack.
1. Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
David certainly has written many psalms of praise and reflection.
This psalm, although important and widely used is only one of the many.
The edification of the Christian people is brought about by many facades of teaching, admonishment, instruction, and experience.
No one thing/reflection can do.
This reflects the richness of God the Almighty.
Jehovah alone is our shepherd/chief leader, sustainer, provider. Not our senior Pastor. Not some great leaders co-shepherding. Not some other master.
The aim to follow and be satisfied is Jehovah. Nothing less than the true only living God.
In Him we lack nothing.
We shall not need more, or want more when we are completely satisfied, lacking nothing.
The term "lack nothing" tells us David is aware of the fullness of everything he receives. he knows for sure that nothing is lacking right now. Everything is well satisfied.
The term "shall not want" has a sense of not quite knowing the ultimate fullness right now. The person will later come to realise that he shall not want anything more - that he will be absolutely satisfied.
This gives an image of a pilgrim, who has faith, but not having absolute knowledge and experience.
2. |4999| in pastures of |1877| green grass |7257| He makes me lie down.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
A comforting picture.
The shepherd does not just find green pastures. He does not just bring his own to the green pastures. Pasture and pasture. Pasture again and again. He even comforts his own further and causes them to lie down; to be at rest; to be at ease.
Life is easy in the Lord. Under His protection and providence.
There is not just enough sustenance for life. In Him is protection from danger and death. In Him is life indeed.
|4325| to waters of |8172| rest |5148| He leads me.
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He leads me to safe waters. He provides me with food and drink the way I dream of; the way I long for.
He did not just carry me there, without my will and control; out of tune with my own timing.
3. |5315| My soul |7725| He restores.
|5095| He guides me |4570| in paths of |6666| righteousness |4616| for sake |8034| His name's.
3. He restoreth my soul:
He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
He restores my very life / soul.
Now comes the turning into the spiritual picture of righteousness; not just a picture of earthly sheep and shepherd.
He let me walk in paths of righteousness. What is green pastures He directs my paths therein. I do not run amiss.
There is a condition. There is no unconditional love or deed.
The condition is that He leads and guides me for His name's sake.
He does according to His promise, certainty, reliability, faithfullness, steadfastness, ability, providence, eternity.
He is the Great "I AM". He never changes.
His safety is true eternal safety.
He is so sure in goodness that He even restores my soul which had been less than good, less than whole, incomplete without God, held back by sin, imperfection, evil, destruction.
If you are safe in God - you are safe indeed!
4. |1571| When |1980| I am walking |1516| in the valley of |6757| the shadow of death |3808| not |3372| I will fear |7451| evil, |3588| for |0859| You {are} |0000| with me.
4. Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
|7626| Your rod |4294| and Your staff, |0000| they |5162| comfort me.
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
In my journey through difficulties into safety and peace, I need not fear harm, evil, destruction, lost, removal.
For the Lord of certainty, peace, goodness, wholeness, safety, knowledge, providence is with me.
We share common experience. We have common faith.
He can be depended on.
We have good time together. I had great experience with the shepherd. I am certained He can perform all good things I dream of.
I know He is with me. I can see and feel Him. His presence is surety. He is the pledge or safety, the shield of my salvation through times of difficulties.
I can see His symbol, banner, the tools for performing His task. I can follow His guidance and leadership alright.
I know He is in control.
5. |6186| You prepare |6440| in front of me |7979| a table |6440| in the presence of |6887| my enemies.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
You know my enemies, and even confront them. They are no match to you.
You are able to let me feast in front of my enemies, who want to feast on me.
Your protection and providence is for sure, with proof. You are substantial.
|1878| You anointed |8081| with oil |7218| my head.
|1375| My cup |7310| runs over.
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
This is a spiritual picture of assigning authority and position.
I receive more than I can share, take up, partake.
I am more than satisfied. I shall not want anything more. There is more than I need. What lacking is there, when more than enough is what I am having.
I know right now, that I am having more than I dream of needing and having.
6. |0398| Surely |2896| goodness |7356| and mercy |7291| will follow me |3605| all |3117| the days of |2416| my life.
6. Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life;
|7356|
Romanized racham
Pronounced rakh'-am
from HSN7355; compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by implication, a maiden:
A picture of love and loving care; kindness and care.
>From my experience, I have faith that all these kindness and care that represents my Lord will encompass, encircle me all the time I know life.
|3427| And I will live |1004| in the house of |3068| Yahweh |0750| for the length of |3117| days.
And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.
All these pastures and still/peacful waters are part of the house of Jehovah my God.
I am more than satisfied, being where He is.
He is able to let me feast in front of my enemies even when we are at a passing journey. I still did not lack anything.
Yahweh, YHWH and Jehovah mean exactly the same. They are different pronounciation and form of the same word and the same name, and the same power and majesty. Often translated as The Lord in English Bibles, they mean more than just a master, or the master. They are the eternal "I AM". The self-determining, self-sufficent one.
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