Third Thursday Thoughts: Psalm 23

 
​Psalm 23 was one of the first passages of Scripture that I memorized as a girl. I have always loved it and refer to it often. Right now I am reading through the Psalms in my daily devotions using the Message translation. The language is beautiful for reading for enjoyment and meditating on the meaning. 

​"God, my shepherd. I don't need a thing.
​You have bedded me down in lush meadows, 
   You find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your Word, You let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I'm not afraid.
​Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure."

​I can't help but think of this beloved Psalm when we drive by this scene on our way to our land in Cowee Valley, NC. What a blessing God has given us - like He promised in His Word.

​One of my favorite recitations by the famous bass singer, the late J.D. Sumner, (who backed up Elvis Presley) is about Psalm 23. It tells of a brilliant orator who was speaking in a vast concert hall. His last selection was the 23rd Psalm. He delivered it with eloquence, perfect diction and dynamics, and the audience broke into applause at the conclusion. Then he asked if anyone else wanted to quote the same Psalm. An old preacher agreed. He slowly stood to his feet, bent over with age, and with a raspy voice began. "The LORD...is MY...Shepherd." Filled with awe and emotion he quoted the entire Psalm. At the end, there wasn't a dry eye in the concert hall. The preacher sat to silence. The orator looked at the audience and said, "You reacted to those two renditions in very different ways. The reason is because I know the 23rd Psalm. And he knows the Shepherd.

​The Amplified Bible is my favorite translation of the last verse: 
​"Surely, only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord, and His Presence shall be my dwelling place." 

​I'm so glad that I know the Shepherd and dwell every day in His Presence.