Listen

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff— they protect me.

You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.

Psalm 23:4-6

Think

We end the week as we began it, reading Psalm 23. These final verses are rich in imagery: dark valleys, the shepherd’s rod, a banquet table, a scalp massage with essential oils, and an overflowing cup. There is a lot packed in to describe the depth of God’s goodness and love.

Psalm 23 is often referred to as the “Shepherd’s Psalm.” The rod and staff are implements of a shepherd and were used as both protection of the sheep from predators and as a corrective measure. “Set a table for me” might refer to an old shepherding practice of using little raised tables to feed sheep, and shepherds frequently used oil for treating sheep’s wounds and repelling flies.

For early readers of this psalm, these shepherding details would have clearly communicated God’s attentive care and the depth of God’s protective compassion.

We are invited, like those early readers, to put our faith in God who pursues us and who invites us to abide in God’s presence.

Katie Cashwell

Pray

Good Shepherd, cover me and fill my cup this day, in big and small ways.

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

Amen.

Go

Your sure provisions gracious God
attend me all my days;
oh, may your house be my abode,
and all my work be praise.
Here would I find a settled rest,
while others go and come;
no more a stranger, nor a guest,
but like a child at home.

from “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” (Isaac Watts, 1719)