Lent: Sunday April 3rd

When I was growing up we called this Psalm 23 our family Psalm.  We often recited it as a family especially during our family devotion on Sunday mornings.  My father would explain to us what it all meas.  I remember loving this Psalm even as a child.  As I became an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), I realize that most of the time people use this Psalm at funerals and memorial services and I also remember protesting by saying , "this is not a funeral Psalm! It is a Psalm for all occasions!!!" Please do read on and think about it for your selves.  It is not a funeral Psalm!

Psalm 23

The Divine Shepherd

A Psalm of David.
¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
²   He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; 
³   he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
   for his name’s sake. 

⁴ 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. 

⁵ You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows. 
⁶ 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.

Also: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41