My Shepherd, My Host

Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths 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 runs over. Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.
—Psalm 23 WEB*

This psalm of David has been described as his most beautiful song of trust. In the psalm, David pictures the Lord as the great Shepherd who provides for, guides and protects His sheep. David goes on to describe the Lord as the gracious Host who protects and provides abundantly for His guests.

David's caring imagery of God as a shepherd is used by others in the Old Testament. In addition to Psalm 23, the most notable passages are Genesis 48:15, Isaiah 49:10, Jeremiah 31:9-10, Ezekiel 34, Psalm 80:1, and Psalm 95:7.

David mentions “still waters,” which is a reference to deep water inlets or ponds where rest and refreshment could be found. David notes that the Lord restores David’s soul through the provisions of food and water — providing for David’s most basic needs. Like a shepherd, God leads David in paths that God knows to be right in His eyes. God chooses these paths because they honor God’s name — the holy person of God. David explains that the shepherd protects his sheep with his “rod” or club, which is used to fight off wild beasts, and He guides straying sheep with his “staff” or crook.

David describes the Lord as a gracious Host. God provides all that we need. David also notes that the Host anoints David with oil, which was a courtesy shown to guests at a banquet. David sees himself as not just a guest of the Host for one meal or one day, but as a recipient of God’s covenant. David describes the Lord’s everlasting love using the Hebrew checed, which is sometimes translated as “mercy” or “lovingkindness.” This is the loyal, long-lasting love of God. And David refers to the house of the Lord, the place where God is, and the place where David will be with his Host forever.

* WEB - The World English Bible, a Public Domain, Modern English translation of the Holy Bible developed by Rainbow Missions, Inc. URL: ebible.org

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