Psalm in the Key of Life

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

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.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. - Psalm 23

I don't know about you, but until recently I really had never given much thought to the 23rd Psalm. Maybe it was a case of familiarity breeding contempt; not contempt actually, more like complacency. The times where I have read through the Psalms, I almost always had skimmed this one because I knew it so well, I'd heard it so often. Am I the only one? Can you relate?

The 23rd Psalm is sometimes known as "the funeral Psalm," I've read it at funerals myself. It's called "the funeral Psalm," I think, because it talks about not fearing and walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Death, sadness and fear are so closely linked. Recently I have become convinced that it is not a psalm about death at all, it's a "life Psalm," actually an abundant life Psalm. Take a look at it again. Read it slowly, line by line and see the life that flows from it.

Starting with God, and his leading of you to:

- Satisfaction
- Rest
- Peace
- Restoration and healing for you
- Direction into a way of life that heals the world
- Contentment and comfort even in times of shadow-like darkness (the word death here is actually the hebrew word "tsalmaveth" which means darkness or gloom rather than literal death).
- A trust in God so real that you want his leading of you wherever he wants is comforting
- A sense of God's care and presence even when it seems all the world is against you
- A welcoming by God at all times
- Abundant, extravagant provision of all you need.
- A resultant life and presence that naturally brings goodness and love and mercy to those it comes in contact with.

Ending with, and resulting in a life that is lived continually in God's presence, wherever you are.

This is not a "death Psalm," at all! It's a "life Psalm," a Psalm about the abundance of a life rooted in God.

One day Jesus told some religious leaders who challenged the motives for his ministry that he "came so [we] can have real and eternal life, more and better life than [we] ever dreamed of." (John 10:10) He describes this abundant life which starts and ends with him this way, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." (John 15:5–10)

Do you hear the echoes of the "Life Psalm" in the words of Jesus? From the mouth of the Psalmist and from the mouth of Jesus our abundant life begins and ends -- finds its very sustenance --in a life rooted into, abiding in, and dwelling with God. Any good that we become and any good that we do flows from Him, and leads us deeper into His goodness.

- Is your life one of abundance (satisfaction, rest, peace, healing, goodness, mercy and love)? What if it could be?
- Where do you find yourself in Psalm 23?
- Where do you find yourself in the words of Jesus?
- Do you believe the words of the Psalmist?
- Do you believe the words of Jesus?

In the words of a father who so wanted to believe Jesus could heal his child, "I believe, help my unbelief."

As always, share your thoughts with me and with others on the journey.

Peace, hope and love