He Refreshes my Soul - Psalm 23
I spoke with a friend early in the month about this psalm and it hasn’t left me alone since. Psalm 23 (below) addresses all the issues we have with rushing about and needing rest, with finding rest. I’m certain there are plenty of resources with the ideas of the psalm laid out, but I too want to address it. The psalm is so often read at funerals, when life ends, while really it should be a treasure to live out our days as described here, not just to reflect on our days.
He is a shepherd and I am a sheep
Most of us know that sheep are relatively stupid animals, and this is an analogy given by God, so I know it is not an insult. I’m trying to take it as an invitation, an invitation to turn the thinking over to Christ. He makes me lie down in green pastures says the second verse. Why does he make me? The word ‘make’ rather indicates that Jesus leads us to the kind of pasture where we find the ultimate place to lay down (verse 2). The shepherd knows what the sheep need and brings them there, going before them and checking up after them.
‘He leads me by quiet waters’ is another reference to these silly sheep needing their shepherd. Sheep will drink anything wet, even stagnant and dirty waters. The quiet waters are actually ‘refreshing’ waters or those that slake thirst. And no matter the path, the sheep will follow – even into dark caves or up steep rocky places, the sheep follow without question.
Fear no evil
The trust ‘to fear no evil’ is followed by the reasons the sheep need not fear (verse 4). The rod and staff are their protection. The shepherd is prepared to defend against attack with the rod and to swoop up the sheep who gets itself in trouble with the staff. These two items are protection and defense that the shepherd yields, not the sheep. Nor do the sheep fear them, as they are an extension of his arm, guiding them along. His eyes roam over the flock at all times and he sees what is going on, knows the troubles that may come and the way to lead that is best for the sheep.
Then we find a banquet conspicuously laid for us in the sight of our enemies (verse 5). The enemy can do nothing in the face of the favor I have in Christ. We share in this pleasure of a feast with God. He again anoints us with oil, overflowing blessing. But also, as a sheep, one of the great annoyances is that bugs gather round and cause sheep to go a bit batty, banging their heads against whatever is around. The oil keeps the flies from landing and laying eggs, thus warding off the batty problem. The daily oiling also offers an opportunity for the shepherd to check over each sheep and tend to any wounds that may have happened. The attention and care of the shepherd is incredibly described in this psalm.
His goodness and love cover us
His goodness and love are apparent from green fields and refreshing waters of provision, tending wounds, protection from evil and prevention of harm. He provides all we need, but we have to be as little sheep in His care. He’s got this. It’s not on my strength that the things of today are ‘finished’ or struck off my to-do list. It is in the active presence of His Spirit and the joy of His work in me as His own (sheep) that things get done.
