The whole of Psalm 23

Before you read

Six verses that almost everyone has heard read at a funeral, and which are not about dying. They are about being led: through pasture, past water, along a path, and at one point through a valley. Watch who is being spoken about. For three verses it is he, said at a distance. In the darkest line it changes to thou, said to God directly.

Psalm 23

Read it twice. The second time, notice where the psalm stops describing God and starts speaking to him.

Verse 1. [A Psalm of David.] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Verse 2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Verse 3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Verse 4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Verse 5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Verse 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23KJV

Open in the Bible

One question

Where in your own life would you rather speak about God than to him?

Nothing here is saved. It is a place to think, not a record.

To close

Shepherd of my life, you know the way through this better than I do. Lead me, and let me follow without needing to see the whole path first.