Psalm 23 – Perfectly Loved. By Sara Cain.
People from all around the world, both Christians and unbelievers, are familiar with Psalm 23. It’s the most recognized and quoted bible scripture of modern times, so often used at funerals and memorial services because of its comforting and encouraging message.
This psalm appears between The Psalm of the Cross (22) which Jesus references while he is dying on the cross, and before David’s Praise to the King of Eternal Glory (24).
Positioned in between, Psalm 23 describes the new life we have in Christ because of Jesus’ death and resurrection as he shepherds us through this mortal experience, and looks to the promise of the immortality we’ll have with the Lover of our Soul.
Psalm 23
(From the poetic King James Version, and most popular version used in public gatherings.)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.
How can we not feel the peace of God wrapping around us as we read these intimate words David expressed to God and claim them for ourselves?
Psalm 23 shows us that we can experience the kingdom of heaven here on earth during this life. Jesus, our resurrected savior and shepherd provides everything we need, and in His presence, we are perfectly loved, and where He is, heaven is near and there is perfect peace.
Being a farmer’s daughter, I love the explanations about the tender loving care a shepherd gives to his sheep. There’s a treasure trove of spiritual truths and descriptions of Who God Is and the depth of His love and desire to care for us represented in these 6 verses. I recommend reading a book on this psalm by a trusted author to go deeper. There’s so much to learn about the symbolic phrases that represents our human needs and experiences and our Savior’s response to them.
As one who has taken a wayward path away from God in my earlier years, I love the description of the devotion a shepherd has to each of his sheep; that he knows when one is missing, and he does not leave it to find its own way or to perish, but looks for it until he finds it, and brings it back into the fold.
If a human shepherd with a heart of flesh and limitations is like this, just think how much greater our heavenly Father’s love and Shepherd Savior’s devotion to each one of us!
The following simplified summary is dear to my heart. My mother had it posted by her bedside for many years until she moved to heaven. To her, it was both a prayer and a praise for God’s perfect presence. She named it Perfectly Loved.
May your heart be encouraged and your spirit strengthened as you read these words today.
Psalm 23 Perfectly Loved
The Lord is my Shepherd =
Perfect Savior
I shall not want =
Perfect Provision
He makes me lie down in green pastures =
Perfect Rest
He leads me beside still waters =
Perfect Peace
He restores my soul =
Perfect Renewal
He leads me in the paths of righteousness =
Perfect Guidance
I will fear no evil =
Perfect Protection
He is with me =
Perfect Placement
Your rod and Your staff =
Perfect Comfort
You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies =
Perfect Salvation
You anoint my head with oil =
Perfect Consecration
My cup overflows =
Perfect Joy
Goodness and Mercy shall follow me =
Perfect Care
I will dwell with You forever =
Perfect Destiny
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