This psalm is probably the best known of all the psalms in our Bible. It shows God’s gentle and considerate regard for those who are battered by life.
Having recently had a period of poor health I’ve been cheered by the words ‘The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.’ (you can see I was brought up in the days of the King James Version!) In all my recent difficulties I have lacked nothing. God has been kind to me allowing me and all in need to lie down in green pastures. There are times in life when all we are capable of doing is lying down and sleeping. But then life can’t remain like this, as God gently leads us by the still waters and refreshes our souls.
We need to keep moving as He leads us along the right paths, stops us taking the wrong way. But life has darkness as well as light. In the very worst of times, death of loved ones, we need fear no evil for He will be with us.
It is being proved at the present time that in times of trouble, our greatest needs are rest and food, rest and food. Many retreats are based on this pretext. And God Himself will prepare for us a table, even in the presence of enemies.
The psalm concludes with shouts of praise. Our cup overflows as goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life. While after that, we will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Bring it on!