Psalm 23
The Message
1-3 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.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
The Message
1-3 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.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
Pause.
Breathe.
Feel the ache of longing
for peace of mind and
peace of world.
Find God in the keenness.
Pause.
Breathe.
Let the unsettling be as it is:
the pain of love or the
pain of loss.
Meet God in the unresolved.
Pause.
Breathe.
Tune in to the problematic
without quick fixes or
easy understanding.
Touch base with God in the worrisome.
Pause.
Breathe.
Listen to the questions
seeking direction and
seeking assurance.
Rest with God in the unknown.
Breathe.
Feel the ache of longing
for peace of mind and
peace of world.
Find God in the keenness.
Pause.
Breathe.
Let the unsettling be as it is:
the pain of love or the
pain of loss.
Meet God in the unresolved.
Pause.
Breathe.
Tune in to the problematic
without quick fixes or
easy understanding.
Touch base with God in the worrisome.
Pause.
Breathe.
Listen to the questions
seeking direction and
seeking assurance.
Rest with God in the unknown.
Music - The Lord is My Shepherd by John Rutter
Cambridge Singers
The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in a green pasture;
and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall convert my soul;
and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name's sake.
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 comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me;
thou hast annointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Cambridge Singers
The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in a green pasture;
and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall convert my soul;
and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name's sake.
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 comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me;
thou hast annointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Prayer...
Generous God and Giver of all things, we rest in
your loving and tender care; and we are revived,
restored and renewed by your strength and
encouragement. You go before us in life, leading us
in pathways that are secure without the confusion of
becoming lost, aware only that we always need to follow
you; and so we trust in your guidance and wisdom.
As human beings, we know there will be times of
stress, when our body or mind lets us down; we
know there will dark times too, when life seems to
be nothing but struggle; and it is in those times
especially, that we rely on your Presence deep within
us to guide and bless us. Grace-Giving God, you
provide us with the tools we need for the tasks we
face, and for this we give you our trust and our thanks.
Life-Giving God, you put out the ‘Welcome’ mat for
us as we gather to worship you. You nourish our
souls and bodies through your goodness and
tender mercies; you heal our life’s wounds; and
your generous love fills us to overflowing. You give
us an honoured place at your table, and invite us
to stay with you as your guest forever. You have
promised that your unfailing love will stay with us
always, and for this, we give you our thanks. Amen.
© 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission