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Funeral Homily: The Shepherd's Love
Marion Clark
Psalm 23
Introduction
When I asked B if there was a Scripture passage especially meaningful for A, she immediately replied, ''Psalm 23.'' We will study the text and then see how it applies to A.
Text
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
God is presented as the Good Shepherd who is able and willing to properly take care of his sheep. David refers to the Lord as ''his'' shepherd. He belongs to the Lord, and because he does, he is in good hands, having the necessities of life met.
2?He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3?He restoreth my soul:
As a sheep under the Lord, he is given rest and food in the green pastures. He is given plenty of refreshing water to drink. And so, his soul is restored in the same manner as we are refreshed after stopping by a nice restaurant or a hotel on a long journey.
For the sheep are on a journey.
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
This line is always attached to the previous lines, which is reasonable. But it seems to me that ''restoreth my soul'' wraps up the thought of being lead to a place for restoring body and soul. Being lead in the paths of righteousness seems to set up what follows. The sheep may not remain where he is, but he must go forward, and the very fact that the Lord will only lead along the paths of righteousness indicates that the way will not always be easy-going.
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.
There will be hard, even dangerous paths that the Good Shepherd will lead his sheep through. And he will indeed lead them through safely. He will not run off. He will stay with his sheep as guide and protector. Indeed, he will do more.
5?Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head wit ...
Marion Clark
Psalm 23
Introduction
When I asked B if there was a Scripture passage especially meaningful for A, she immediately replied, ''Psalm 23.'' We will study the text and then see how it applies to A.
Text
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
God is presented as the Good Shepherd who is able and willing to properly take care of his sheep. David refers to the Lord as ''his'' shepherd. He belongs to the Lord, and because he does, he is in good hands, having the necessities of life met.
2?He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3?He restoreth my soul:
As a sheep under the Lord, he is given rest and food in the green pastures. He is given plenty of refreshing water to drink. And so, his soul is restored in the same manner as we are refreshed after stopping by a nice restaurant or a hotel on a long journey.
For the sheep are on a journey.
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
This line is always attached to the previous lines, which is reasonable. But it seems to me that ''restoreth my soul'' wraps up the thought of being lead to a place for restoring body and soul. Being lead in the paths of righteousness seems to set up what follows. The sheep may not remain where he is, but he must go forward, and the very fact that the Lord will only lead along the paths of righteousness indicates that the way will not always be easy-going.
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.
There will be hard, even dangerous paths that the Good Shepherd will lead his sheep through. And he will indeed lead them through safely. He will not run off. He will stay with his sheep as guide and protector. Indeed, he will do more.
5?Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head wit ...
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