18 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

The Lord is my shepherd. This speaks of a relationship.

If the LORD is leading you then there shall be no lack; no want in your life.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2)

Many years ago I had a vision of heaven. I saw people coming out of this sea or huge lake. There were no waves on this lake or sea. It was perfectly still. And then the people enter a beautiful city that is so bright and beautiful. I heard a voice telling me that their memories were healed. One translation renders ‘still waters’ as waters of rest.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)

How can our souls be restored? The focus is on God's work in our lives. We cannot restore ourselves but must be restored by God.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

Dr. Raymond Moody interviewed many people who were dead medically, some for hours, and mysteriously came back to describe what they saw.

Here is what some of them described. “There is a sensation of being pulled or drawn through a dark tunnel at great speed. The tunnel is also described as "a corridor", "a black valley", "a well", "a sewer", or "a cylinder". One person in the tunnel said, "I was moving beating all the time with this noise, this ringing noise". Another said, "I went through this dark black valley at super speed". The tunnel sometimes has a light at the far end which the person moves toward.”

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. This speaks of discipline and correction.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over. (Psalm 23:5)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. This speaks of uncommon favor. You anoint my head with oil. This speaks of consecration. My cup runs over. This speaks of abundance.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever. (Psalm 23:6)

D.L.Moody, a noted evangelist of the nineteenth century, was once approached by a woman who needed counseling. Two men, she claimed, were following her.

Moody discerned that this precious woman was suffering from a mental delusion (later confirmed by her friends). There was no one following her. But to put her at ease, he told her: “Those two men following you are David’s men. Their names are Goodness and Mercy.” He turned in the Bible to Psalm 23:6 and showed her, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life.” She was relieved and exclaimed: “That is wonderful. I have always wondered what their names are.” The woman left that day with peace of mind, comforted to know that it was goodness and mercy that were following her.

Chapter 23