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.
Psalm 23
This psalm most certainly was inspired by King David’s youth when, as the youngest son, he was assigned the chore of caring for his father’s flocks. Alone in the fields, with only the sheep for company, David had ample opportunity to develop a personal relationship with his god. God is his shepherd. God provided for David’s true needs. That provision went beyond the material. David makes it perfectly clear in this passage that it is God who is being the shepherd; it is God providing for his needs and keeping him safe.
Sheep are fairly weak and helpless animals, totally dependent upon humans for the provision of their food and water. Sheep lie down only when fully satiated. They will drink only from still waters, since they are frightened by moving waters, which may weigh down their coats and cause them to drown. As it is with sheep, mankind requires a good shepherd to provide food and drink for the most basic physical survival. However, this passage foretells of an even greater gift from our shepherd God. Like the shepherd to the sheep, God provides for us when he feeds us with holy bread and wine, symbols of His love for us through the body and blood of His son, our savior, Jesus Christ. This is not just nourishment for our bodies, but for our souls. And this passage makes it clear that our souls are broken and need restored. Throughout history, mankind has attempted to restore its relationship with God, and yet it is not for us to restore that relationship through our human attempts. Only God can restore us and He does it through the Eucharist. That is how and when our brokenness is healed. He restores our souls.
Susan Whitehead
