Psalm 23 as a Prophetic Word to Us.

In the early morning quiet, as a soft light at the window gave hints of a new day, I found myself recalling one of my favorite psalms of David. The words flowed beautifully and reassuringly to my heart. Thanking the Lord for these precious promises, I determined to spend some time in meditation and fellowship on this ancient, yet contemporary, poem.

But wait. As the words flowed in my mind, I awakened to the reality that the words were being expressed in direct discourse. In my mind the words were, “I have prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies. I will anoint your head with oil; your cup will overflow.”

It was as if the Lord were speaking directly to me. It occurred to me that this psalm could be read prophetically. So, in my journal notes, I tried expressing the poem as coming directly from the Lord to us.

Let me explain and illustrate. The first text below is as it was originally expressed. Then I take the liberty to express David’s poem as if God were speaking these words directly to David, and to us:

Psalms 23. David’s summary of what the Lord promised to his listening heart during intimate fellowship.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23. David’s poem expressed as a prophetic “word from the Lord” to each one of us, His sheep.

1 I am your Lord, your Shepherd; you shall not want.

2 I make you lie down in green pastures; I lead you beside quiet waters.

3 I restore your soul; I guide you in the paths of righteousness for My name's sake. 4 Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil, for I am with you; My rod and My staff, these will comfort you.

5 I have prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies.

I will anoint your head with oil; your cup will overflow.

6 Surely My goodness and lovingkindness will follow you all the days of your life, And you will dwell with Me, in the house of your Lord, forever.

My time soaking in the meaning of God’s promises to us was so profound. The Spirit made this passage come clearer than ever before. Our good Shepherd’s promises are real, rich, and far reaching.

I am rehearsing my devotional time for this purpose: I believe God wants to excite you about letting the Lord embrace you with these promises at a deeper level of confidence. This is exactly what all of us need in these troubled times. You will be okay! Your Shepherd has got this. You are special to Him. He will not fail to do what He has promised. Review His faithfulness to this point in your life. And revel in His ability to bring you all the way home.