The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
A shepherd's job is to raise, guard, guide, protect, train to follow.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters.
The shepherd pushes gently on his sheep to get them to lie down and rest. He leads them beside still waters so that when the sheep walk into the water they don't drown or get bogged down in deep, strong waters.
He restores my soul; He guides me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake.
A good shepherd will not lead his flock astray, but keep them on the path they should follow, even if the sheep aren't aware they are on the path, as long as they follow the Good Shepherd they've come to know and love, the sheep will do just fine.
Even tho I walk thru 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.
Now, instead of just extolling His Good Shepherd, David speaks to Him personally.
See? I am not afraid in this valley, Lord, for You are with me. What or who is there to be afraid of when Jesus is walking with us and we are walking with Him?
His rod, the weapon the Good Shepherd uses to protect His sheep from wolves and bears, is in one hand. His staff, the tool the Good Shepherd uses to correct His sheep when they go astray, is in His other hand. When a sheep would stray too far and go over a the side of the mountain, the shepherd would use the crook of the staff to reach down and gently lift up the lost sheep with all his strength, cradle it in his arms and carry it back to the fold. And that's true comfort: knowing I am being carried in Christ's arms, close to His heart and added back to the flock.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.
The Good Shepherd feeds His flock well, though the enemies of the flock, the wolves in sheep's clothing, the bears who stalk, are outside the pasture's gates watching and waiting for their opportunity to strike.
The good shepherd takes great care of and delights in blessing his sheep. Anointing the sheep's head with oil does 3 things:
1. Prevents infection when the sheep is injured.
2. Keeps bugs away from the sheep's skin and eyes.
3. Nurtures the sheep's skin to prevent dryness.
When Jesus anoints His sheep, He is blessing them with lovingkindness and grace. And after speaking of all the ways in which he is blessed, David says, "My cup runs over." I have received so many blessings from You, Lord, that I have more than enough. I am overwhelmed by Your love for me and humbled that You would bless me so. We should be saying the same thing
when we talk with the Lord:
"Dear Lord God, I have received so many blessings from You, Lord, that I have more than enough. I am overwhelmed by Your love for me and humbled that You would bless me so. You are so good to me and I am thankful for each and every blessing You have shown unto me. Thank You for Your saving grace in my life. The riches You have bestowed upon me are evident throughout my day. To You be all glory, honor, and praise. Amen."
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Surely. Without a doubt, with faith, wholeheartedly and steadfastly. Goodness, the goodness of God and mercy, the mercy He chooses to extend to whomever pleases Him; shall follow me, like a shadow, all the days of my life, as long as I have breath.
And when I take that last breath I know that
"I shall dwell/live/reside forever/eternally in the house/presence of God."
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