A start in Psalm 23 S30e1

God is doing some stuff in Psalm 23 that we want to be aware of and even access for ourselves.  He's given us a great poet, David, to capture perhaps the most beautiful 6 verses in the Bible.  

But this Psalm is more than just a pretty face.  There is real content for our heads, and real comfort for our souls. Join me for just 7 minutes as we take a first crack at  appreciation for this masterpiece. 

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https://youtu.be/vmFQtYiLTbc

Transcript

Selected Psalms Podcast 

A start in Psalm 23 S30e1 

Some Psalms. How about we aug18, 2025 Psalm 23 familiar. Comforting. Realistic. 6 verses written by the chief knucklehead of the OT: David

Mean no disrespect, as it is one of his features.  Luster, murderer, 

Passionate, feeler, repenter, re-follower singer, poet, dancer, leader, killer, hunter, HUMAN HUMAN. Big surprise who’s invited? Enemies, death, fatigue

WHAT is the LORD doing in Ps 23? Then, what is David doing? First read:

1  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

2        He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

       He leads me beside still waters. 

3        He restores my soul. 

       He leads me in paths of righteousness f

for his name’s sake. 

4    Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, 

       for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, 

they comfort me. 

5    You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies; 

       you anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

6    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 

all the days of my life, 

       and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

1  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He is Lord. The I AM. The eternal I AM. I am

         Captures forever the TO BE verb and in so doing sets up a great contrast

What is the eternal-being, pre-existing, forever existing all powerful all knowingbeyond time God doing in relationship with this worm David

Isn’t this one of the great mysteries of the World?

What is God doing in relationship with a knucklehead(s)?

We find David in relationship. In fellowship. In communication, in a set of understood parameters, and in worship throughout this psalm

What is David doing in relationship with God? I understand David’s attract.

What is God doing in relationship with David? I understand this less.

But we find David and God in relationship.  The Lord is DAVID’s LORD.

         Personal, active, real, ongoing, meeting with protecting

What is the Lord doing?

         Being ascendent: the LORD

         Shepherding: the Lord is my Shepherd

         Proving of needs: I shall not want I shall not want.

         Making and providing green pastures          2           He makes me lie down in green pastures

         Leading to still waters He leads me beside still waters.

         Soul restoration Who can do such work? He restores my soul.

He’s leading in a direction of righteousness in honor of His name 3

He’s carrying a big stick. Staff and a rod. Tools at the ready. Weapons at the ready: for prodding and direction, but also for whooping on attackers

         How big is the rod and staff of the Lord? Big enough

         And yet, there is tensions: 

He’s giving perspective, and in the reality of difficulty, scary situat.    4           Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

*presence*: for YOU ARE WITH ME. Be with me.

I will fear no evil, 

       for you are with me; 

>Yet He doesn’t take away all the enemies, all the difficulties

The Lord prepares a table IN THE PRESENCE OF enemies?

Whose enemies? Mine. Wait a sec, I signed up for enemies?

Is the Lords rod and staff big enough for smiting ALL my enemies, yes.  

         Every need, every poverty, every sickness, every relationship

Then why not? He is building a kingdom of the willing, not of the conquered.

The Lord is allowing enemies, for now, witnessing what is happening from without as they watch what is happening within           5           You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies;  

Why are the enemies here? Perhaps to benefit them, win them.

         Christianity is about WINNING enemies

Lord is anointing knucklehead head’s with oil, &overflowing their cups

He’s chasing, pursuing David with goodness, mercy, faithfulness for ALL days

He’s making a home, a place, for David

I’ve made a place for you to dwell       forever 

What is David doing? Being led in paths of righteousness; doing things according to the Lord’s NAME. 

Being comforted by the rod and staff; the directional tool, the defensive tools

Eating at a table prepared

He is being anointed with oil. Personal attention. Personal ministry. Personal affection. Personal abundance of a cup that is overflowing

He is being followed by goodness.  He’s being followed by mercy

He’s in the house of the Lord. He’s dwelling there forever. Got address right.

1  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

2        He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

       He leads me beside still waters. 

3        He restores my soul. 

       He leads me in paths of righteousness f

for his name’s sake. 

4    Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, 

       for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, 

they comfort me. 

5    You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies; 

       you anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

6    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 

all the days of my life, 

       and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Stand before this great great Psalm. Stand before it’s beauty. It’s reality as we watch what the Lord does: shepherd, meet needs, protect, comfort, overflow and make us a home.