Psalms – Hymns and Prayers of God’s people

How are we going, praying? Is prayer becoming more relaxed as we first reflect on his Word in our prayers. Can we get a sense of being in David’s shoes, for example, as we express the very depth of our being in very down-to-earth, even rhetorical language?

A few thoughts in Psalm 23:

• God as the Shepherd dominates the psalm and is constant throughout.
• The emotional centre is v4 (Death Valley) where the psalmist, having gone through the dark and foreboding valley, has experienced an even deeper, personal relationship with his Shepherd.
• The first half of the psalm (vv1–4) sees the Shepherd in relation to his sheep. Left to themselves the sheep wander aimlessly into danger. They need a shepherd. From experience, the psalmist has wandered off into ravines where danger lurks and was led to the water and grass of safety.
• The second half (vv 5,6) still has the Shepherd as the dominating figure, but exchanges that of a sheep for that of a fugitive. (In the ancient nomadic culture, if a man’s life was in danger, he fled to the desert. A murderer would be hunted down until found. The desert was a horrible, fearful, dangerous home, exposing the fugitive.)
• The fugitive is welcomed into the Shepherd’s tent, and there in front of his enemies, he is served a meal. In the Shepherd’s tent, he is safe.

For the sheep in danger of death which skulks in the valley like shadows, the Shepherd is a guide; for the fugitive hunted down by his stalkers, the Shepherd is a protective host. The Shepherd provides both guidance and grace, guidance for the wandering sheep and grace for the guilty fugitive. A comfort for us: however deep the valley we find ourselves in, or how dark the shadows, GOD IS WITH US!

More random thoughts on this well-loved psalm of King David:

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5

• We think of the Last Supper where Jesus prepared a table before his disciples.
• Even though Jesus was about to meet his enemies, he celebrated the moment with his disciples, sharing his wisdom, giving his new instructions and himself with them.
• The humble bread and wine is connected to his Word – the assurance of sins forgiven and the certainty of eternal life.
• We thank our Lord for the gift of himself – shared with his disciples then and always at that table: Holy Communion.

Prayer: Dear Lord, our Good Shepherd, open our eyes to see your blessing. Open our ears to hear your voice. Open our hearts that we may love you. Amen.

About the Author

Jill Schefe

Jill is a Wimmera-ite growing up on a sheep and wheat farm. As a Lutheran deacon, Jill has been richly blessed supporting pastor husband Clarrie, mother to three adult children and six grandchildren. She was a recipient of the 2022 Servant of Christ award and has served on LWV and LWQ executives and various zone executives. Jill enjoys engaging Christ’s love with others. As formed in Christ, in retirement, Jill enjoys reading, Christian spirituality, music, gardening, travelling, and their recently sold farm, breeding cattle and horses. Jill is active in her local congregation as lay worker. She has a passion for an understanding of the Gospel in the life of everyday Christians.