This morning we are looking deeper into the beloved Psalm 23. The Psalm is often associated with funerals, but we shouldn't reserve it only for death. The Book of Common Prayer first included Psalm 23 for funerals in the mid-sixteenth century. Henry Ward Beecher, an abolitionist preacher and brother of author Harriet Beecher Stowe, often preached from Psalm 23 during the Civil War. 

"I have heard the soldiers sing the 23rd Psalm on the battlefield. It is a song of courage and trust, hope, and faith. It reminds us that even during the darkest hour, we can find light and comfort in the care of our Shepherd. He will lead us through the valley of the shadow of death, and we shall fear no evil." (Quoted in "The Life of Henry Ward Beecher" by John Henry Barrows)

This Shepherd Psalm has stood the test of time as a source of comfort in God's love and care.

The rich imagery evokes a sense of peace, care, and abundance. God leads us to green pastures, still waters, a table with platters of food, and an overflowing cup. This Psalm is attributed to King David, who started as a shepherd. David knew what the comfort of rod and staff meant since he slew a lion to protect his flock. He had the responsibility of protecting his sheep and later safeguarding a kingdom. Many Psalms were written for specific circumstances; grief, failure, fear of defeat in battle, or crowning a new king. But this Psalm speaks more to God's presence throughout the spiritual journey.

It strikes me that this Psalm touches on every great need from Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow believes that humans develop and grow from basic physical needs to self-actualization. We need food, water, shelter, and rest, represented by green pastures and still waters. Once our bodily needs are met, we need safety and security. The Psalmist says God's rod and staff will protect us from predators, and a table is prepared for us even in the presence of enemies. We need loving relationships, and we are promised a place we dwell in the household of God. That isn't just a physical place but an assurance that we belong to a community. When we feel fed, safe, and belong; we desire esteem and a sense that we are accomplishing something significant with our lives. The act of anointing establishes a higher purpose. Royalty and prophets are chosen and anointed by God to do their work. We are anointed through baptism to do good work. Self-actualization is the space of meaning and purpose. The Psalm assures us that goodness and mercy will follow us, and we are led on the path of righteousness. God will teach us how to live well. Every great need of a human being is blessed in the poetry of Psalm 23. God is present in all of it.

The second important point of this Psalm is that God is relatable. God is not described here as the lawgiver, the judge, royalty, or the remote maker and architect of the unfathomably large Universe.  The God described here is actively present in a time of need. 

The use of language makes this presence clear. Notice for the beginning three verses, the Psalm speaks about God in the third person. The third person refers to someone or something outside us. Third-person pronouns include he, she, they, or it. So, the Psalms says, "The Lord is my shepherd, he leads me, she restores me. But when the going gets tough, and the writer feels the threat of death and enemies, the tense shifts to the second person in verse 4. The second person addresses God directly with a "you" aqs in "You prepare a table…Your staff comforts me…".   The implication of this shift from third to second person is it invites us to move from talking about God to talking to God. If we talk about God, it is an opinion in our heads. If we are speaking to God, we are in a relationship.

I prefer the King James Bible’s use of "Thou" over the modern "You." Generally, a fan of modernizing language, but calling God "Thou" resonates with me. I loved reading Jewish philosopher Martin Buber's book, "I and Thou." According to Buber, there are two fundamental ways of experiencing the world: "I-It" or "I-Thou" relationships. The "I-It" relationship sees the world as objects to be used for our purposes. When we relate this way, we are more detached, separate and everything is supposed to serve us. The concept of "Thou" in Buber's philosophy refers to other beings' sacred, authentic, and unique nature. In an "I-Thou" relationship, we encounter the everyone as a living, breathing presence who deserves our full attention and respect. The Thou is not an object to be used or manipulated but a living subject with its dignity. The Psalmist is speaking with gratitude to a living God.

What do I mean when I say a "living God?" I can believe in God in the abstract but never know or sense a relationship. I may recite the first lines of the Apostles' Creed,

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit….

I might be speaking honestly and accurately, but there is no relationship. It's like saying this about my wife, "I believe Jeanne Fenton is the daughter of Doug and Anne Herdt, who was born in Berlin, Germany, on June 22, 1959, and graduated from the University of Virginia, and we were wed in holy matrimony in the year of our Lord 2009 on August 22." These words are accurate and descriptive, but they're not very romantic. 

When I meet a couple for pre-marital counseling for the first time, I have them introduce their partner to me. If they present themselves, I get a description of their work, hobbies, and so on. But if I ask them to introduce their partner, they say, "John has the kindest smile and makes me feel safe and cherished….Susan lights up my world and makes me feel like I can do whatever I set out to accomplish." These words speak of a thou who is a part of our hearts. Likewise, Psalm 23 moves beyond belief, creed, or idea about God to talking to a living God.

The language isn't describing God but details God's actions. It is full of verbs. 

God makes me lie down.

God leads me by still waters.

He guides me on the path.

She restores my soul.

Thou prepares a table.

Thou art present to me.

These are active verbs, and where there is action, a relationship exists. Philosopher Buckminster Fuller went so far as to say, "God is a verb." Fuller was a brilliant mathematician, architect, and philosopher. He invented the geodesic dome, was a systems theory developer, and wrote books on education. But at age 32, he was anxious, depressed, and broke. His daughter died before age four from complications of polio and spinal meningitis. Fuller lost his job, had no savings, and his second daughter, Allegra, was born. He was so desperate he considered drowning himself in Lake Michigan so his family could get money from his insurance policy. Fuller later described an experience of a profound incident that would provide direction and purpose for his life. He felt suspended several feet above the ground, enclosed in a white sphere of light. A voice spoke directly to Fuller and declared:

From now on, you need never await temporal attestation to your thought. You think the truth. You do not have the right to eliminate yourself. You do not belong to you. You belong to the Universe. Your significance will remain forever obscure to you, but you may assume that you are fulfilling your role if you apply yourself to converting your experiences to the highest advantage of others.^[19]

More than 40 years later, Fuller wrote a book titled, "No Second-Hand God," where he declared, "God is a verb." Fuller says that God is not just a static entity or a noun but an active force constantly creating and shaping the Universe. "God" is not seen as a distant, separate entity but as an integral part of everything that exists, a dynamic energy that permeates all of creation. God is the harmonic balancing force of the Universe, not just the original Creator. God is love, not the abstract idea of love. 

Or as the Psalm says, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures and restores my soul. Think for a moment which part of the Psalm resonates for you. Do you need rest beside still waters? Are you missing a sense of belonging, wanting deeper relationships? Are you in need of courage in the struggle? Longing for meaning? Fearing death and evil and wondering if the universe is good? Let the poetry of these verses speak to you. Pick the phrase that resonates most and say it to yourself quietly five times. Try this as a spiritual practice every day this week. And may the Shepherd go with you.