Perhaps Psalm 23 is the best known chapter in the Bible. It compares the loving care and provision of Father God to His children with that of a shepherd caring and providing for his sheep. He leads the sheep to places where every need they may have is supplied. The phrase ”He restores my soul” is very powerful; unlike our English in which soul usually describes only the spirit or inner person in contrast to the outer or fleshly person, the Hebrew “Nephesh” describes the entire person. So this tells us that God’s will and provision is to restore our entire being, spirit, soul, mind, and body from the results of the fall! There is another powerful phrase in verse 5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” This tells me that I can dine at this table now in this present life, for we will not have enemies in heaven! Yes, we understand that heaven is the ultimate fulfillment of restoration when “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” 1 John 3:2. However the restoration begins in this life on earth as we partake of the provisions and benefits which have been provided by Jesus at Calvary, and which, like the Holy Spirit who administers them, “is the guarantee [earnest or down payment] of our inheritance until the redemption …” Ephesians 1:14.
My Shepherd
By Rose Hill
The Lord is my shepherd,
What more could I want?
He’s all that I need,
Nothing more will I hunt.
He makes me lie down,
And rest in His field.
Beside still waters,
To Him I will yield.
In paths of righteousness,
My soul he doth take;
Not that I earned it,
But for His name’s sake.
Even if I walk through,
The valley of death,
I will not fear evil,
For He will protect.
In the presence of my enemies,
He prepares a table.
To rejoice in trouble,
With His help I am able!
Goodness, mercy, and love,
Are lacking never.
And in His presence,
I will dwell forever.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.