Tag: Psalm 23

David has two assurances because the Lord is his shepherd. First, goodness and love will follow him all the days of his life. Goodness and love are personified. He imagines they are attendants who ensure all is well with their companion. Goodness and love for the Lord’s sheep are not the same as those whose […]

The celebration in the house of the Lord continues as David describes his participation in the festival. David is using metaphor to describe what it is like to have a personal loving relationship with his God. The Lord is his shepherd-king. The benefits of his relationship with the shepherd-king are described as a celebration, a […]

I imagine two parallel scenes. David is invited to a special banquet like the one Jesus attended at Matthew’s house just after Matthew became a disciple of Jesus. (Matthew 9:9-13) Many people were there including David’s and Jesus’ enemies. At Matthew’s home were his enemies the religious leaders who did not have faith in Jesus. […]

“Do not be afraid” is a common message from God to his people. The Sovereign Lord said to Abram, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1) God called to Hagar, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he […]

Death is a looming tower standing overall, like a mountain rising into swirling clouds. Its dark shadow is long and deep, as a valley fissure presses shoulders into a cold wall. Fear of the dark. Fear of the unknown. Fear of death that keeps one from going. Walking forward I have no choice, for time […]

God leads like a good shepherd. A good shepherd calls to his sheep and leads them out of the sheep pen. He calls them by name, one by one he knows them. He has plans for their well-being. He knows their needs. He knows their wants. He knows safe paths to their desires. The sheep […]

Psalm 23 is divided into two balanced stanzas, each having four couplets with a triplet in between serving as a transition (4d-f). A couplet is one line of Hebrew poetry. BDBD is looking at one couplet a day. Today’s couplet reads, “He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Although David, the author […]

LORD (all capital letters in the NIV) is the covenant name of Yahweh (YHWH), the name told to Moses at the burning bush. (Exodus 3:14) David, the author of this modern-day famous psalm, called the Lord his shepherd. Calling a king a shepherd was a common practice in the Middle East in David’s time. However, […]