Psalms

The psalms are such a beautiful collection of poems that were originally put to music.  In fact the name for this book in Hebrew, "Tehillim", comes from the word "halal" which means "to praise" (this has the same root as hallelujah which means to praise to Jehovah).  So many of the words in this book of the Old Testament resonate with me and are found throughout the New Testament, other scriptures, and our hymns.  I recently rediscovered the beauty found in the much-quoted Psalm 23:

 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

 4 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.

 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 6 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.

I have felt this in my life.  Surely goodness and mercy have followed me and I truly have been led by a loving Father in Heaven.  Even when things are difficult and when it feels like we are in the valley of the shadow of death, let us each remember how our cups runneth over and how we are never forgotten by a loving shepherd.