Psalm 23 1-6

Psalm 23:1–6

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.

One night I had a dream. I was sitting on the dirt with my head in my hands terrified. I was shaking like a leaf on a tree in terror. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder, and He says, “Say the prayer.” I was skeptical, I kept looking down. Then I felt the hand squeeze my shoulder and say it again, “Say the prayer.”

In a trembling voice I start to say the prayer, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” The scene starts to change the smell of the dirt turns to the smell of grass and water. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside still waters.” I start to feel safe; I start to look up.

He restoreth my soul: He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. I see the path before me and, something amazing happens. I start to feel…. brave.

He says speak the words, you have the authority: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” I stand up, I look over the valley, a sea of evil creatures wreathing in a black liquid motion. They part before me and I start to walk through them. “For thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” I see something up ahead.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. I see the table, a table for two. He stands before it and invites me to sit down. “Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” He anoints me with oil and a chalice is filled to overflowing with wine. A rose is on the table, He is smiling.

“For surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. He nods his head as we sit together. On the table are two chalices of wine and a pile of flour. He says, “what do you know about communion?” But that lesson is for another time.