Do more beloved words exist? Framed and hung in hospital halls, scratched on prison walls, quoted by the young, and whispered by the dying. In these lines sailors have found a harbor, the frightened have found a father, and strugglers have found a friend.
Max Lucado, “Introduction”, Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms: Hope and Encouragement from Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known passages from the Bible. I believe it was one of the first Scriptures I memorized (and still have memorized). You can find its words, its metaphors, its imagery all over the place.
It is well-known and well-loved.
But do we really know it?
I’m not talking about “do we know the words?”, because I know we do. So many people know what it says and can probably recite it perfectly.
But what does it mean? What is its message?
We know it well. . . Do we perhaps know it “too well“? Have we become calloused to it? Do we actually think about it and learn from it, or do we just let the familiar words/thoughts wash over us?
…I pray that we will not allow its familiarity to lessen the utter beauty of it. …
Kristin Schmucker, “The Lord is My Shepherd: Psalm 23,” Delight: A Walk Through the Psalms | Psalms 1-30
“The utter beauty of it.” Psalm 23 is only six short verses, but oh, it is packed full of beauty, goodness, etc.
Come join me as I endeavor to share that beauty. Read, comment, share your thoughts or thoughts you’ve heard from others–I’d love to hear whatever you have to say! 😊
Image by David Mark on Pixabay
