During 2025, Peachtree Church is focusing on the Book of Psalms with a series called Dwell, through which we seek to deepen our conversation with God and open ourselves to hearing his response. The practice of praying three times each day will unite the voices of our hearts and souls as we seek the day when we will see the full realization of the Kingdom of God, promised in Revelation 21:3: “…Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
We will email devotionals twice weekly with Monday’s providing an overview of the Psalm as a whole, and Wednesday’s focused on that week’s Daily Dwell.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
Psalm 23:1-6
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley, (or 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 overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Devotional
It could be that you are striding through life, confident at every turn. It could be that you are tentatively meandering, unsure about what it all means and where you are going, and even what the meaning of it all could be. It could be that you have ground to a halt, in the dark, hopeless, directionless. Wherever you are, whoever you are, pull up this Psalm and you will find a sure path. To read it is like slipping your hand into the strong hand you love the best.
Psalm 23 is part of our deep memory and identity as people of faith. We’ve heard it so much that maybe we no longer appreciate its depth and grittiness and power. Here in this last week of Dwell, let’s pull this Psalm close to us and lean into it. It tells us the story of the life of a believer, and it says we are accompanied by the Lord through all of it.
First, we meet the Shepherd who makes sure we lack for nothing: safety, good grazing, clean water. And he provides beyond material needs. He also gives refreshment for the soul. He cares for us in every way and guides us in right paths. The paths we walk in life reflect our Shepherd, and he shows us the best way to walk.
Then we walk through the dark valley, or the Valley of the Shadow, and here we pass from life through danger and death. This is the place we dread, and yet? We need not fear evil, for the Lord is with us. And can a shadow hurt us? No. It may be dark, but there is a Hand in our hand we can depend on. (And at this time of year, we remember that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2) The Lord never intends that we should live in the dark, but pass through it into his light. As we pass through the valley, we remember what the Shepherd carries with him—a rod to crush enemies that would harm us, and a staff, to crook around wayward sheep to bring them out of thorns and danger and put them back on the right path. Our Shepherd makes sure we lack nothing, even in the dark valley.
And then, we are through the valley, and into the house of the Lord, the safe harbor at the end of suffering and darkness. The Host prepares a table for us, and we are his honored guests, whom he anoints with rich oil to refresh them. He pours a cup of overflowing cheer. And this place is a forever place, the end of our wandering, where we will live followed by his goodness and mercy forever.
There is one odd note in the house of the heavenly Host: the table is prepared “in the presence of my enemies.” No commentators seem to want to talk about this. We remember this Psalm is attributed to David, and he certainly had many enemies from his youth to the end of his days. Does he imagine God showing his old enemies that he honors David above them? Or is it that our enemies are not necessarily God’s enemies? Or that enemies will be reconciled to us and to God, and be welcome at table? Or (and this is my hunch) could this be like that story of heaven and hell in Luke 16:19-31? Poor Lazarus, who had starved and died right at the gate of the rich man, is taken by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also dies and goes to Hades, and yet, he can see Abraham and Lazarus from his place in hell. There is a chasm between them, but they are able to see and speak to each other. Is this why there is a mention of enemies as the friend of God sits at his heavenly table? Could it be that the enemies are on the other side of a chasm, as Lazarus and the rich man were?
One final note: NT Wright reminds us that all the promises of Scripture are not just for later, after we get to heaven. But Heaven, which has come down to us and lived with us, makes those pleasures and joys available in life right now. The still waters, the refreshment of soul, the hand in ours in the Valley of the Shadow, the banquet table lavishly set and welcoming—all of that is available to us now, and in the life to come as well. Psalm 23 and all its beauty is yours to step into today!
For Reflection
- Can you name the ways the Shepherd has provided for and refreshed you?
- Can you think of ways the Shepherd has guided you in right paths?
- Have you been through a valley of the shadow?
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for being my shepherd, my friend in the dark, and my welcoming host. I live daily in your gracious promises and provision. Thank you for walking with me in my daily journey and for providing a resting place of joy and goodness at the end of all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Devotionals