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Psalm 23:1-6

Psalm 23:1¹ Yahveh is my tender;² I have no lack.

Psalm 23:2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside untroubled waters.

Psalm 23:3 He brings my soul back to life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, because you are with me; your rod and your staff– they comfort me.

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:6 Only goodness and covenant faithfulness will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of Yahveh for the length of my days.

what the tender allows

The word rendered shepherd by most translations is not related to the word sheep, but the word see. David is saying that his God watches over him. God allows him to go through dark valley times, and even to have enemies. But God provides for David’s needs all the while. David might pass through a number of brown pastures, but he does not have to lie down there. He might see troubled waters, be God does not allow him to drown in them. God leads him beside untroubled waters. David did have enemies pursuing him some of the days of his life. But God only allowed goodness and covenant faithfulness to pursue him all the days of his life.

Lord, we accept what you will allow, because we trust you to lead us and provide for our needs.