The 23rd Psalm is the familiarity of promises that we can sink into. The dark valley is never the end of the story, for a table awaits, along with the goodness and mercy that calls us to life everlasting. Our Easter journey this week leads us beside still waters and through enemy territory. But our future is secure because He is Risen. He is risen indeed! Hallelujah.
Psalm 23 (NRSV)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I 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 overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
ST#110 Easter 4 playlist includes a variety of settings of Psalm 23, including Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrzGcj7bdi7fMvpL38gzUsJoBLDkraDLX