Psalm 23 is a hymn of praise about the work of God in a person’s life on earth. Life is not presented as idyllic, but as abundant and scarce, dangerous, and safe, peaceful, and chaotic.
A thousand or so years before the birth of Jesus Christ, David, poet/musician/military leader/king of a united Israel reflects on all that the Lord had done to bring him to a moment in a stable kingdom. He lifts his lyre and hesitantly strums it as he composes a hymn of praise. His life as anointed king-designate was not care-free escapism but trials, learning/application, and missteps. Almost two decades passed before the call to the monarchy became reality. On the green pastures and by the clear running streams, he rested with his sheep as well as did battle with the teeth of lions and the claws of bears—and won! In coming times, he would do battle with viciously fierce human foes. Problems were continuously present – Goliath, King Saul, the Philistines. God did not remove the aggressors but set a table for David amid his enemies. David observed, learned, and strategized based on information gained. Even hiding in caves in valleys of death, he trusted God. Anxious and trembling, he fought or chose not to fight as directed by his Shepherd. Trouble confronted David when he satisfied his own desire for another man’s wife and orchestrated the demise of the honorable husband. His beloved second son, Absalom, led an insurrection to snatch the throne from his father; though King David had to flee into hiding once more, the heart-broken king again was victorious.
King David was not a model of piety, but the one constancy in his life was commitment to God. So, at dawn or perhaps dusk, this king remembers his journey to date with a hymn of praise and faith to the King of kings.
When troubles come and obscure goals, what do you do with God?
Reflections
King David’s lyre and its sound: Michael Levy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiA86HI-GLU&list=RDkiA86HI-GLU&index=1
King David’s song of praise to God:
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; he leads me in 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 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 runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. NKJV
Daryl Coley’s song of praise to God:
https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tFP1zcsNjAtLywpyjBg9BJNSSyqzFFIzs9JrVQozi9LLUrNTM8DAOYADPU&q=daryl+coley+sovereign&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS904US904&oq=Dary&aqs=chrome.1.69i59j46i39j69i57j46i433i512l2j69i61l3.19035j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Sovereign
Sovereign, Sovereign
The Lord, my God, is Sovereign
He can do whatever He wants to do
He can do whatever He wants to do
When He wants to
God can do whatever He wants to do, How He wants to
Because He’s sovereign, God is God.
Dorothy Watson Tatem, D. Min., ACC
Senior Associate
Next Step Associates, LLC
Cassandra W. Jones, Ed.D.
CEO & President
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