It is a challenge to read a portion of the Bible that we have heard/read hundreds of times. But that is what I was attempting to do with the Twenty-third Psalm.
I have read this passage a billion times, give or take a hundred million, so this was difficult. I had always read this Psalm as a comfort, reminder that God is taking care of things. This is, of course true, and a big reason it is by far the most-read passage at funerals.
But as I read this passage over and over again, a new theme rose from the page. I began to see them as the words of a believer who had returned from rebellion. A song for the soundtrack of Luke 15, if you will.
YHWH is shepherd: the one who gathers me from wayward wanderings.
I don’t need (lack, want) a thing: perhaps a confession of someone who had gone searching from something more.
He renews my strength, leads me in righteous paths: the words of someone who had exhausted himself on the path of unrighteousness.
Even walking through the valley of Death’s Shadow, I’ll not fear for you are with me: There is no place that he won't go in order to find us and bring us home.
Your rod and staff comfort me: The jab of his rod and the yank of his hook are a comfort, because it is his discipline which keeps me from returning to such undesirable places.
You feed me right in my enemies' faces, anointing my head, overflowing my cup: Not a bad place for a guy who had recently strayed from God into Death Shadow.
Without doubt, goodness and mercy will never let off my trail: Good news for a proven wanderer. And this is the kind astounding realization someone might have if they have had their relationship with God restored.
I will live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life: Thanks to his sheepdog-like pursuit, I’m not ever leaving again.
I have read this passage a billion times, give or take a hundred million, so this was difficult. I had always read this Psalm as a comfort, reminder that God is taking care of things. This is, of course true, and a big reason it is by far the most-read passage at funerals.
But as I read this passage over and over again, a new theme rose from the page. I began to see them as the words of a believer who had returned from rebellion. A song for the soundtrack of Luke 15, if you will.
YHWH is shepherd: the one who gathers me from wayward wanderings.
I don’t need (lack, want) a thing: perhaps a confession of someone who had gone searching from something more.
He renews my strength, leads me in righteous paths: the words of someone who had exhausted himself on the path of unrighteousness.
Even walking through the valley of Death’s Shadow, I’ll not fear for you are with me: There is no place that he won't go in order to find us and bring us home.
Your rod and staff comfort me: The jab of his rod and the yank of his hook are a comfort, because it is his discipline which keeps me from returning to such undesirable places.
You feed me right in my enemies' faces, anointing my head, overflowing my cup: Not a bad place for a guy who had recently strayed from God into Death Shadow.
Without doubt, goodness and mercy will never let off my trail: Good news for a proven wanderer. And this is the kind astounding realization someone might have if they have had their relationship with God restored.I will live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life: Thanks to his sheepdog-like pursuit, I’m not ever leaving again.
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