Psalm 23 - A Fresh Look

I'm having a difficult time writing a post today.

Psalm 23 only has six verses, but they are so full of meaning that entire books have been written about them. A preaching pastor could easily preach a four or five part sermon series from this beautiful psalm.

So what can I say in a short blog post that would be new or different or could measure up to the great theologians who have written about it?

I did have this thought. The 23rd Psalm is so familiar, and we have heard it so often - usually at funerals - that we've come to the place that we just, kinda, ignore it. Familiarity doesn't necessarily breed contempt, but it can breed apathy. Or we relegate this psalm to funerals.

So what do you do when you find yourself skimming over a familiar passage of scripture? Here are a few ideas.

A fresh look at Psalm 23

• Pray. Ask God to show you something new or how to apply it to your life or how you can use that passage to encourage someone else.
• Read it out loud. You'll hear things that your brain might skip if you read silently.
• Read it from several different translations. I've read Psalm 23 from the NASB for years. Before that KJV and probably NIV. Today I read it from the NLV.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.I'm not going to tell you my thoughts about Psalm 23 on this post. Not because I don't have any, but because I don't want to limit what God may be saying to YOU today through Psalm 23. Bottom line:Ask God to give you a fresh look at Psalm 23.For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12Let the Word be active in your soul and spirit. 

The 23rd Psalm

If you've just joined us in our countdown, let me catch you up. We are now 23 days from our dress rehearsal for Bow the Knee Hilldale's Passion Play 2008. So to help pass the days in a calmer way (rather than in full panic mode) we have a fun countdown going.


So today, being day 23, took my mind to the most famous 23 ever - Psalm 23. We hear this Psalm so many times at funerals, but it is soooo much more than a funeral Psalm. The last verse is really the only part that has to do with eternal life. The rest is a great testimony to God's goodness now.



Psalm 23 - KJV 1611

Here's a cool thought. Psalm 23 was David's testimony of God's goodness to him, but God is still in the same business. You could write Psalm 23 yourself - you just have to pay attention to what God is doing. Let me encourage you today to look for all the ways that God is comforting you. See how He is leading you on a path of righteousness. What green pastures and still waters have you had in your life today?

My favorite hymn (which I had in the poll but I didn't know it only listed the first five when I created it) is Great Is Thy Faithfulness. It is a modern day Psalm 23.

"Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."



Let Psalm 23 encourage you today. Look for it's truths in your life.

And listen to your rehearsal CD! The real reason for our countdown!