Perhaps a modern reader will even wonder what is meant by the words “rod” and “staff” in this verse.
“Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” is a line to give a reader pause. In either case, the narrator asserts a steadfast confidence, trusting in the Lord to protect. It is also possible that it refers-perhaps at the same time-to dangerous events in this life. Tranquility is “green pastures” and “still waters,” while terror is a “valley.” It is possible that the “valley of the shadow of death” refers to death itself, and asserts the narrator’s confidence in the face of a fearful reality that necessarily “shadows” all members of the human species. The fourth verse recalls the nature imagery that is so strong in the first verse but refers to its opposite in mood. It indicates that the narrator is led to morally proper conduct by the deity and hews to that conduct for love of the “shepherd.” The second clause of this verse is the first part of this Psalm to mention morality. “He restoreth my soul” indicates how God functions to replenish the narrator in times of psychological exhaustion. It also reinforces the concept of God as a shepherd and leader, the narrator as a grateful follower and beneficiary of the deity’s generosity and caring. The second verse instantly brings to mind splendid images of nature that represent tranquility. “I shall not want” suggests that trust in that deity leads to a state in which the narrator feels needs met and, thus, is relieved of worrying about even the possibility of deprivation. Its description of the deity as a shepherd is a metaphor that sets a mood that is warmly reassuring in its ideal of the narrator as someone being conscientiously looked after and cared for. This Psalm is one of the most powerful of all the Psalms in its language and imagery. The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.Ģ He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.ģ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.Ĥ 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.ĥ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over.Ħ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The following is taken directly from the King James Version of the Bible.
Jimmy swaggart music ministry beside still waters full#
It is a short Psalm so it will be no hardship to reproduce it in full here before analyzing it. Often called The Shepherd’s Psalm, Psalm 23 is one of the best known parts of the Bible-and for good reason. Both Jewish and Christian tradition holds that most or all of the Psalms were written by David. The Psalms were originally written as songs and are some of the most beautifully poetic parts of the Bible. The Book of Psalms is one of the most famous books of the Old Testament. I have no wish to give offense with this Whittling, or even start a debate about religion since that would be extremely inappropriate to the mission of The Hatchet. Indeed, I recently completed the project I had set for myself of reading the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, from cover to cover.
I respect the Bible for its literary, cultural, and historical value. I am an atheist who was raised as a Christian. Since this particular Whittling is about the Bible, I think it is only fair to readers of The Hatchet that the author state at the outset her beliefs-or rather lack of them. Why did Lizzie choose these particular readings? There is no way to answer that question with certainty but her having done so merits a close examination of these choices in a journal dedicated to Lizzie Borden and the mystery that surrounds her. Psalm 23 and John 14 were what Lizzie wanted read at her funeral. This may have been just happenstance or could have reflected Lizzie’s desire to give equal weight to the part of the Bible that Christians tend to see as the foundation of their faith and the part that they view as its consummation. One passage she named was from the Old Testament, and the other, a chapter from the New. Lizzie Borden’s instructions for her funeral service stated that she wanted two readings from the Holy Bible given at the simple ceremony that was held to mark her passing. First published in Spring, 2009, Volume 6, Issue 1, The Hatchet: Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies.
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