We are wrapping up 6 weeks of memorizing Psalm 23 at Crestview this week. My hope is that some people have chosen to try to memorize that (some for the first time). Memorization of passages of Scripture like this is helpful because 1) it promotes meditation, 2) encourages us to not sin against God, 3) will be with us to comfort or convict, and 4) allows us to access God’s Word on demand.
We encouraged memorizing this using Stuart Townend’s song, The Lord’s My Shepherd.
The super-talented Elizabeth Wood also created a print for free download.
Finally, we’re all probably aware of how Psalm 23 encourages us in the here and now as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Elyse Fitzpatrick drew my attention (in her new book Home) to how this relates to a more eternal perspective. Consider how she directs us to think of Psalm 23:1-3:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want [there, in the age to come]
He makes me lie down in green pastures [in the New Jerusalem]
He leads me beside still waters [of the River of the Water of Life]
He restores my soul [feeding me from the Tree of Life]
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake [so that I will worship him forever].
(accessed the Kindle edition, locations 2261-2266)
I hope you’ve enjoyed our work in Psalm 23.