JUSS Kyia LifeStyle: My Life, My Blog

Kyia Smiling

Any given Sunday morning at Journey Missionary Baptist Church, I can vividly recall one of my earliest memories—the recitation of Psalms 23. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through 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 goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen." 

If I don't remember anything else from my childhood, this verse stands as the pinnacle, the foundation of my life. Since the age of six or seven, I realize I had no clue what these words truly meant back then, but I felt their significance. Every Sunday, we recited, "The Lord is my shepherd," planting those powerful words deep within my soul. Now, I wish to embark on a personal deep dive into this passage—Psalms 23—allowing the Lord to guide me as I break down and understand the wisdom of David, which my ancestors so passionately instilled in me.

Father God, I seek your guidance and wisdom as I delve into your word, uncovering the profound purpose behind David's message in Psalms 23. I pray that my biases and pride do not cloud the sharing of your truth. I long to be your vessel, learning from you why these words resonate so deeply within my spirit, providing me with unwavering comfort in all circumstances. I am grateful for this assurance. As I read through Psalms 23, I pray to convey only your wisdom, your thoughts, and your intentions for this passage. In all that I do, I aim to glorify your name. Amen.

As I reflect on the teachings of respected Bible teachers, particularly Dr. J. Vernon McGee, I find inspiration while exploring his insights on Psalms at TTB.org. Delving into the Psalms, I've come to appreciate the significance of expressions like "Hallelujah." However, I've noticed that such phrases can sometimes feel overused or lacking in genuine heartfelt meaning. This realization has prompted me to take a moment to seek a fresh perspective and a deeper understanding of what these words truly convey in my connection with God.

The Holy Bible

Psalms 23:1 states, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” From the very start, David establishes a deeply personal relationship with Jesus, referring to Him as his Shepherd. A shepherd is one who cares, leads, and guides—a reliable presence in our lives. The shepherd lives alongside his flock and, most importantly, protects them from danger. 

Dr J Vernon McGee discusses in Psalms Bible companion preview that “the most important thing to discover is that Jesus Christ the Messiah is the subject of the Psalms.” With that being said, he goes on to state, “The Psalms still apply to us today even more than any other portion of the word of God, but we do need to be a little exact in our interpretation of the Psalms. God is not spoken of as a father in the Psalms. He is called God the Father, but not the Father God. The Psalms know nothing of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. The Saints are not called sons. You will not find the Blessed hope of the New Testament in the Psalms. But the Psalms are full of references to the second coming of Christ.

v1 "I shall not want." What an amazing declaration! David expresses so clearly that all his needs are met; he wants for nothing. He recognizes that God has withheld nothing from him. Not only does God save and provide for eternity, but He also meets our daily needs.

v2 "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still waters." v3 "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." As David shares these beautiful details of the Lord as his Shepherd—my Shepherd—He truly embodies the essence of a great Shepherd, caring for His sheep with love. He takes us to places of comfort and rest; In Him, we find that same comfort. When we follow and obey our Shepherd, the Lord, His path guides us beside still waters, for He knows the best direction to take. Even when we stray and try to go our own way, He is always ready to restore our souls. He is the only one who can truly do that, leading us back to righteousness, all for His namesake.

v4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Dr. J Vernon McGee reminds us, “the Psalms still apply to us today even more than any other portion of the Word of God. But we do need to be a little exact in our interpretation of the Psalms.” Over the years, with each passing decade, I've discovered more about myself as a literal thinker. When I receive a message, I take it at face value; what is said is what it is. I proudly admit my dogmatic approach to the Bible. As I learn about the context and the authorship of Scripture, my understanding deepens, but my dogmatism remains. While my views have evolved over the years, my commitment to the truth of the Word stands firm. 

So, reflecting on Psalm 23, I find profound comfort in David's words: even as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I recognize that life constantly presents us with challenges, always hinting at a close proximity to death. Yet David reassures us of God’s unwavering protection. “I will fear no evil,” he proclaims, for our Shepherd guides and shields us. The reassurance comes vividly as we remember that His rod and staff are instruments of comfort and security. In reading Tony Evans' commentary on Psalm 23:4, he beautifully emphasizes that despite any danger, God's provision allows us to navigate through life's darkest valleys with confidence. Our Divine Shepherd wields power and grace, offering us comfort and guidance amidst turmoil.

"He leadeth me beside the still waters"

v5 "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, showcasing the richness of divine hospitality and protection. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern customs, the host who shared a banquet extended honor and security to their guests, creating a space for fellowship and connection. In this sacred atmosphere, guests were offered divine provision and a sense of safety, even in the face of adversity. This profound metaphor reflects the role of Jesus as the shepherd, guiding us with grace and assurance through life's challenges. (Expressed in BibleHub.org Psamls 23:5 - study)

In Tony Evans' commentary on Psalm 23:5, he highlights how God met David's physical needs even in the presence of his enemies. God provided nourishment in times of hunger and anointed him with oil for healing needs, demonstrating that He is the ultimate resource for David’s provision. The phrase “my cup runs over” signifies an abundant, ongoing fulfillment; God’s supply never runs dry. I often find myself in a similar state of overflowing joy and completeness, feeling deeply comforted by the presence of the Holy Spirit. This overwhelming sense of security and comfort is truly uplifting.

v6 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." For sure, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. What certainty in that statement! It reflects the confidence we can have in our belief, rooted in His attributes and character. He is a good God, a merciful God. We can live with the assurance that God is providing and protecting His people, His children. He is the Good Shepherd, guiding and loving us. God continually offers us this assurance, which is grounded in the covenant relationship we have as believers. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever; I will live with Him for eternity. This is an ongoing relationship that never ends. Even though Jesus had yet to give His life for our salvation, David understood this assurance. David knew the character and attributes of God and that He had prepared a place for him to dwell with Him. 

In conclusion, as I reflect on Psalm 23, I understand why we recited it every Sunday; it became etched in our hearts effortlessly. This psalm embodies deep devotion and reveals who God is and what He does for His children. Each word of the Bible fills me with a profound sense of fullness and comfort. I can't truly say that one verse resonates more than another; they all enrich my spirit. Every passage I've read and studied has brought me praise, comfort, gratitude, and a sense of unworthiness—yet I am immensely grateful to God for choosing me and for the work He does within me. With an open heart and willing spirit, I continue to grow in His word. It is God that sustains me, and for that, I thank the pastor, the women, the deacons, and the deaconesses of Journey Missionary Baptist Church for the consistent recitation of this powerful psalm.

The Songs Begin by Dr J Vernon McGee says “Someone has said there are 126 human experiences recorded in the Psalms. It is the only book which contains every experience of a human being. Every thought, every impulse, every emotion that sweeps over the soul is recorded here. Perhaps that's why it always speaks to our hearts and finds a responsive chord wherever we turn. They express the deep feelings of all believing hearts in all generations.”