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Hi I'm Tim Coombs, Co-pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, in Scotia, New York. And a member
of the network of biblical story tellers. To learn more about its mission to go nbsint.org.
Psalm 23 is perhaps the best known psalm, because sadly it is usually read at funerals.
It goes, ""The lord is my Shepard, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me besides the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me on the paths of righteousness,
for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil. Thy rod and my staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence
of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the lord, forever.""
This psalm is read at funerals, because of these statements about the valley of the shadow
of death, and gods always walking with us. But, also because of the goodness and mercy
following us, all the days of my life.
What I take from this psalm is that gods presence is with us always. In the good times, when
we are lying in the green fields, and by the rippling waters, and walking on the paths
of righteousness. God is with us then, when we celebrate. But God is with us even in the
low times of life. That valley of death. Even when we're surrounded by enemies, people who
would do us harm. God is there even in those times, too. So this psalm speaks to all of
us, in all different times of our lives, and has resonated with our hearts, because of
the power of its words.