Sermon by Herman Kauffman
Timbercrest Home
May 25, 2001

Daddy, Why Do People Like The 23^rd Psalm So Much?

Psalm 23

It was an innocent question from a seven-year old: "Daddy, why do people like the 23^rd Psalm so much? A dozen years or so ago, as part of the bedtime ritual, my son Andrew and I were reading a Psalm each evening at bedtime. When we came to the 23^rd Psalm, I mentioned that many persons would choose this as their favorite Psalm. Thus Andrew's question: "Daddy, who do people like the 23^rd Psalm so much?"

This morning, I invite you to revisit the 23^rd Psalm with me even as I shared with Andrew those dozen years ago.

• The Psalm begins with an affirmation: The Lord is my shepherd.

This Psalm by David reminds us that David spent his early years as a shepherd boy caring for his father's sheep. He knew the importance of a shepherd caring for his flock and was able to relate his experience into his own expression of faith.

David's life was not an easy one. Over the span of his life there were many trials. He was the youngest of 8 sons of Jesse and, as one reads the story of his life in 1 Samuel, we get the impression that David did not count for much. When Samuel came to Jesse's house to anoint one of his sons to be King, David was not even called in from the field until Samuel insisted.

When several of David's older brothers were in Saul's army, David would serve as errand boy taking food or other items from his father to his brothers. Thus when David first offered to take on the Giant Goliath, his brothers laughed at him.

Later, when David did enter King Saul's service, it was not as a soldier but as a musician who had mastered the harp. But whether it be facing the wolves in the field, Goliath on the battlefield, or simply the problems of life, David knew who was watching over him. The Lord is my shepherd.

• The Psalm continues with the recognition that I have everything I need.

What did a shepherd boy need? Family, food, a place to rest, something meaningful to do, a rod or staff to keep the wolves away, and perhaps some quiet time to work on his music.

David did not say, "I have everything I want." We, too, whether we are 7, 17, or 70, need to learn to differentiate between our needs and our wants. Most of us can say with David, "I have everything I need," even if we can't say "I have everything I want."

• The Psalmist continues to recall his days as a shepherd when the Lord allowed him to rest in fields of green grass.

Today there are many others who also enjoy resting in fields of green grass - we call them golfers or campers or gardeners. But don't we all enjoy the opportunity to retreat to a restful place amongst the greenery of God's beautiful creation?

• ...and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water."

Here we catch the attention of the fisherman among us who enjoy spending time on a nice quiet lake. But the emphasis on green grass and fresh water also speaks well of the shepherd who seeks to provide for the needs of his flock. It reminds us that God will provide for our needs as well.

• The next line of the Psalm is translated in the King James and Revised Standard versions as restoring my soul but the Good News translation says He gives me new strength.

You and I are human beings who get tired. We get tired each and every day. But David reminds us that even as God provides for our needs with food and water and allows us a night of rest, we are strengthened anew to face the coming day. Even a 7-year old who doesn't want to go to bed can understand that rest prepares us to meet the new day.

• The Psalm continues He guides me in the right paths....

A Shepherd knows the importance of guiding his sheep, even as a parent knows the wisdom of providing guidance for children. We have a God who guides us in the right paths so we will not lose our way on the journey through life.

• Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid ... for you are with me.

A young child knows what it is to be afraid of the dark. Check out all the different night lights designed for small children or recall sitting beside a child's bed to comfort them until they fall asleep.

But fear of the darkness is not reserved for children. We adults also fear the darkness - that which we cannot see or understand. We fear the darkness in the valley of the shadow of death. We fear the darkness of facing life alone.

But the Psalmist reminds us that we are not alone, not even in the deepest darkness God is with us. And as long as we are not afraid to be alone with God, there is nothing to be afraid of. Why?

• Because God will protect us. The Lord is our shepherd and it is the shepherd's role to protect the sheep. Adds David, Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.

• It is at this point that the Psalm seems to take a new direction. Up to this point we are reminded of David as the shepherd reflecting on God as his shepherd. We don't know exactly when David may have written this Psalm, but I can imagine it being in his later years as he remembers the "good old days" when life seemed simple and safe. As the Psalm continues, it is as if David is reflecting upon another stage of his life as King of Israel. The setting is no longer the pasture field but the King's palace.

You prepare a banquet for me....

As King, David must have hosted and attended a good many banquets. In this part of the Psalm, he envisions a day when God will prepare the banquet. And the banquet described by David is not defined by the food but by the relationship. This banquet is like a Father-Son or Mother-Daughter Banquet in that it brings David, and you and I, into relationship with our God, our heavenly parent.

Our gathering together in this place this morning is like that banquet, because we are inter-related with God and with each other. The banquet of God is waiting for each of us, even my enemies as David reminds us. But note also that David feels welcomed as an honored guest. You and I are VIPs to God - very important persons. We may not always feel worthy or deserving, but God welcomes each of us to the banquet as an honored guest.

• "What's a brim?" Andrew asked me as I read the next verse about God filling my cup to the brim.

I explained to my 7-year old son that the brim is the top edge of the cup and that the phrase means that God never short-changes us. Believe me, a 7-year old knows when he or she has gotten a little less than his brother or sister. God always fills our cup to the brim - full and overflowing as another translation reads.

• And now the Psalm moves to its conclusion - its affirmation of faith. David, through his experiences from shepherd boy to king, is able to exclaim: I know that your goodness and love will be with me all of my life or as the more familiar translation reads, Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

I trust that David's affirmation of faith is your affirmation as well. I believe that one of the reasons so many of us love this Psalm is that it does capture our affirmation of faith.

We do not know what life will bring us. We enjoy many memorable experiences and for those we rejoice; but experience teaches us that life is also filled with pain and heartache. Through all of life, however, I hope we can affirm with the Psalmist: I know that your goodness and love will be with me all of my life...

• And more ... that your house will be my home as long as I live.

Jesus said, "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" We live in the knowledge and affirmation that God is with us in this lifetime and in the eternity to come so that indeed ... I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Prayer

O Lord, our Shepherd, who leads us by still waters and into green pastures,

we thank you for the times in our lives when life is good.

We are grateful for love and health and happiness,

and for the gift and joy of human existence.

Teach us to remember that you are with us at all times,

even when the waters are not still and the pastures are not green.

O Gentle Shepherd, your loving kindness surpasses our imagination,

and your faithfulness is to all generations.

Help us to recall in moments of adversity or disappointment,

that you are present to strengthen and encourage us.

May we learn to follow you in right paths,

and allow you to restore our souls to be in tune with you.

O God, give faith to our children and our children's children,

that they may learn to walk with you even in the valley of the shadow of death

and not be afraid of the evil.

Allow the mercy and goodness with which you have filled our cups

to overflow from us to our neighbors,

that the bounty we have experienced may be theirs as well,

And together, we may follow you into the kingdom

Of faith, hope, and love forever and ever.

Through Christ the Good Shepherd, we pray. Amen.