Easter 4
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name's sake.
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.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
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.
Alternate Image
The troubadour has traveled the world over and now comes home. He finds the meadow where he used to tend sheep as a boy and lays down by the creek which used to cool his boyish toes. He recalls the genesis of many of his songs that were stimulated by this tranquil place, a place where he could so easily feel and see God's presence. This was a place and time of great security and well being. The Singer then considers all that has passed since that complaisant time, his travels, his troubles. Life for the troubadour did not stay gentle and peaceful as when in the sheep's glen. There have been times when his faith seemed inadequate to life's questions; times when he had no answers to the queries of others or his own doubts. But even in the dark moments of his life, God always seemed to seek him out with a healing touch. When his cup seemed most empty, God filled it to overflowing and his songs continued with more power and depth than his simple tunes from the glen. The Singer lies back on the rich green grass of the glen and feels the warmth of the sun caress his body. The sun's rays bring the beginnings of a new song to mind. He thinks, "Surely as God's steadfast love has stayed with me through my life, so shall it always. God's love is good for me. I just know I shall be with God always."
Reflection
Everyone loves this song of David. We all easily identify with its course as it reflects the passages of our lives: the easy untroubled faith we have as a child, then tremors to our faith when life becomes complicated and our Sunday school faith has to mature and grow or we will feel totally lost, the richness of our faith when it has been tempered by life and gives us confidence to look towards the future with hope. There is a place in each of our lives like the Singer's glen, where we can retreat when buffeted by life to receive and feel God's steadfast love, God's loyalty to us. Where is that place in your mind's eye? Where was it that you felt God's presence strongly? Go there now and let God fill your cup to overflowing in order that your song of life may bring pleasure to God and God's creatures.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name's sake.
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.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
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.
Alternate Image
The troubadour has traveled the world over and now comes home. He finds the meadow where he used to tend sheep as a boy and lays down by the creek which used to cool his boyish toes. He recalls the genesis of many of his songs that were stimulated by this tranquil place, a place where he could so easily feel and see God's presence. This was a place and time of great security and well being. The Singer then considers all that has passed since that complaisant time, his travels, his troubles. Life for the troubadour did not stay gentle and peaceful as when in the sheep's glen. There have been times when his faith seemed inadequate to life's questions; times when he had no answers to the queries of others or his own doubts. But even in the dark moments of his life, God always seemed to seek him out with a healing touch. When his cup seemed most empty, God filled it to overflowing and his songs continued with more power and depth than his simple tunes from the glen. The Singer lies back on the rich green grass of the glen and feels the warmth of the sun caress his body. The sun's rays bring the beginnings of a new song to mind. He thinks, "Surely as God's steadfast love has stayed with me through my life, so shall it always. God's love is good for me. I just know I shall be with God always."
Reflection
Everyone loves this song of David. We all easily identify with its course as it reflects the passages of our lives: the easy untroubled faith we have as a child, then tremors to our faith when life becomes complicated and our Sunday school faith has to mature and grow or we will feel totally lost, the richness of our faith when it has been tempered by life and gives us confidence to look towards the future with hope. There is a place in each of our lives like the Singer's glen, where we can retreat when buffeted by life to receive and feel God's steadfast love, God's loyalty to us. Where is that place in your mind's eye? Where was it that you felt God's presence strongly? Go there now and let God fill your cup to overflowing in order that your song of life may bring pleasure to God and God's creatures.
