Psalm 23 (Part 1)
Seeing as how the 23rd psalm is one of the most familiar of all the psalms, let us read it in a version that may be unfamiliar to you. The New English Translation (NET) (https://bible.org/netbible/) is sort of an open source Bible, that is freely available online, and which may be quoted and shared freely, as long as no profit is made from it. Check out their web site for more details of their purpose and publishing model.
Anyway, that being said, let us read psalm 23 in the NET Bible translation to get a different perspective on a familiar scripture.
The Lord is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.
He takes me to lush pastures,
he leads me to refreshing water.
He restores my strength.
He leads me down the right paths
for the sake of his reputation.
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff reassure me.
You prepare a feast before me
in plain sight of my enemies.
You refresh my head with oil;
my cup is completely full.
Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days,
and I will live in the Lordʼs house for the rest of my life. The NET Bible
How do you explain a shepherd to a modern, urban man? I grew up on a farm, so have some appreciation for animal husbandry, but still taking care of cattle, hogs and chickens is a bit different from shepherding sheep. Probably the best explanation that I have found is in the little book by W. Phillip Keller entitled "A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23" (http://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Looks-Psalm-23/dp/0310274419) It's a very worthwhile read, and he does a much better job than I can of explaining all the shepherding references in psalm 23. Keller explains in fascinating detail the true meaning of "table", "rod", "staff" and the shepherd's use of oil.
The eternal appeal of this psalm is the great assurance it gives us of our heavenly father's love. How we need to know that He is looking out for us, and that when we trust in Him we will lack nothing. I'm not very good at trusting myself, so psalm 23 is a good reminder that refreshing water and lush pastures are in His plan for me. Maybe you find yourself in a hard place where it is hard to trust that there is goodness in the world. I've been in such hard places and can assure you that it is a good thing to have the Shepherd looking out for you. The outlook my look bleak from your perspective, but the Shepherd is viewing your life from a higher and wiser perspective, and will lead you through the darkest valley and you will fear no danger when you trust in Him.
To modern ears the King James "Thou preparest a table before me" of verse 5 sounds odd. The NET renders it as "prepare a feast", but there is some merit in using the language of "table" used by the KJV. In the middle eastern sheep herding lands, the tables were high plateaus which were rich in green grass, and high above the pests and enemies of the valleys. The shepherd would prepare the table before hand to remove any noxious weeds and drive off any predators, then the sheep could safely graze on the table land, far from the heat of the summer far below. Sometimes it's just good to get away and be with the Lord in a quiet place, above the fray and away from your enemies and just enjoy His presence and feast on the table that He has prepared.
Keith Green - The Lord in My Shepherd (Psalm 23)
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