Wednesday, May 7, 2025  

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Today's Scripture
Psalm 23

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. (KJV)

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Reflection

When I was a 10-year-old Sunday school student, my classmates and I were challenged to memorize Psalm 23 KJV (King James Version with leadeth, preparest, etc.) To this day, I have a gold ribbon marking Psalm 23 in my Bible. I felt very grown-up when, in worship, I could recite Psalm 23 “by heart.”

Attributed to King David as its author, (who was himself a shepherd, prior to serving as king), and thought to be written in 1000 BC, Psalm 23 appears in the Ketuvim section of the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, and first appeared in English in the King James Version of the Christian Bible, in the Old Testament.

And, while it’s not part of the Quran, a version of Psalm 23 (not verbatim), is included in the Zabur, Islam’s holy book of David (Dawud), and it and Psalms in general, are recognized as divine revelations and a source of guidance.

Psalm 23 has inspired many musical works from Schubert, Rutter, and Bernstein, to “Brother James’s Air” and hymns such as “The Lord’s My Shepherd.”

Our tradition at Fourth Church is to recite Psalm 23 KJV in unison after Communion has been served. A holy sacrament, and then our voices joined in praise of God’s unwavering love and guidance. Not only do I feel connected to God at these moments, but also to my brothers and sisters in faith.

Psalm 23 is “the little black dress” in one’s spiritual vault; always suitable for the situation at hand: Fervently whispered into the night-time darkness, or during one’s commute, recited together with a Deacon in Stone Chapel, silently prayed before a college exam or a business pitch, or while awaiting lab test results, blissfully prayed by the newlyweds, or by parents at their baby’s birth, and whispered by the heartbroken at their ailing loved one’s bedside. Your prayers. My prayers. Our prayers.

I am lifted up to be one among the countless voices, singing or reciting these timeless words, across oceans, across time, in adoration, and/or supplication — all these souls, trusting in God’s expansive goodness.

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Prayer
Creator God, I thank and praise you for your enduring love and protection. Renew my strength and courage, and open my heart and mind to your loving guidance. Amen. 

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Written by Holly O’Mara, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church 

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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