Twenty-third Psalm

Psalm 23:1-6 (NLV)

The Lord is my Shepherd.  I will have everything I need.  He lets me rest in fields of green grass.  He leads me beside the quiet waters.  He makes me strong again.  He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name.  Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me.  You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help.  These comfort me.  You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me.  You have poured oil on my head.  I have everything I need.  For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life.  Then I will live with You in Your house forever.

In one of the final scenes of the 1989 TV miniseries entitled “War and Remembrance” the British actor, John Gielgud, plays a Jewish professor who is sent to the gas chamber at one of the German concentration camps.  As the victims are shoved into the chamber and everyone is screaming (a very unsettling scene) the camera focuses on this professor who starts praying the 23^rd Psalm.  As terrifying this scene was to see someone about to die, the reciting of the 23^rd Psalm (from a voice of a Shakespearean award-winning actor) left an indelible remembrance for me.  It made me believe that were I in a situation where I knew that I was going to die, I would want to recite the 23^rd Psalm.  Recall that the 23^rd Psalm (along with the Lord’s Prayer) was also prayed by the flight 93 passenger, Todd Beamer, with a GTE operator before his impending death.

Why is Psalm 23 such an important, memorable psalm?  Why was Psalm 23 the only Bible passage recited by public school children in the 1950s and 1960s before this practice was banned?  What is so good about these 6 verses?

I think a primary reason is because of all the primary emotions of life that it addresses.  So many real and potential needs of our lives are addressed in these few verses.  Our lives are filled with real and potential fear, worry, stress, discouragement, confusion, loneliness, danger, weakness, emptiness and so many other challenges.  Note how this Psalm addresses the following needs*:

-  the need for rest                         He makes me lie down in green pastures

-  the need for peace                     He leads me beside quiet waters

-  the need for encouragement    He restores my soul

-  the need for guidance                He guides me in the paths of righteousness

-  the need for courage                  I fear no evil

-  the need for companionship     Thou art with me

-  the need for comfort                    Thy rod and staff comfort me

-  the need for protection               Thou prepares a table before my enemies

-  the need for strength/healing     My head anointed with oil

-  the need for provision                 My cup overflows

-  the need for God’s presence     Goodness and mercy follow me

-  the need for security                   I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

-  all other needs                            I shall not want

Do you believe what these verses claim?  Do you believe that God is your faithful shepherd?  Do you believe that no matter what your problem in life is, God is there to help you?  Do you see better why this Psalm is the most beloved Psalm and perhaps most beloved 6 verses of Scripture in the entire Word of God?  Be sure that you have this Psalm memorized and use it often to benefit your soul as you face problems and challenges of your life.

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* I have this list written in my Bible, but could not find the source, even after checking the internet.