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He restores my soul

Posted by: Justin on June 11, 2009


The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
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.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.

– Psalm 23

sheperd.gifIt is no  wonder that this passage is one of the most quoted and loved in all of Scripture. Not only does it speak of the green pastures and still waters that the trusting soul finds in Christ, it also acknowledges the daily presence of shadows, death, and enemies. These physical and spiritual realities resonate deeply with our experience as Christians.

Yet the focal point of the passage is also probably the one thing that most endears this psalm to believers everywhere and through the ages — it is a psalm about our Shepherd Jesus and his ongoing presence and provision for each of us individually. It is he that is leading, he that is restoring, he that is with us to cast out fear, he that prepares the table and annoints our head and overflows our cup.

It is a psalm, not so much about me and my blessings and trials, as it is about Jesus and his abundant sufficiency. It is because he is my all-sufficient, deeply aware, constantly present Shepherd that I will never be in want. And it is this very sight of Jesus that restores my soul.

He restores my soul with himself and the wonderful knowledge of him. It is he — who he is and what he does and how perfect he is — that restores my soul.

(For more on Christ as the center and sufficiency of Psalm 23, read the article Goodness and Mercy)




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