[Unboxing Psalm 23] Still Watersনমুনা

Still Waters

A characteristic of Hebrew poetry is that the first verse is related to the second; this is the case in Psalm 23. The second phrase of verse 2 is connected to the first: “He shall lead me beside the still waters.”

· He leads me: Again, we find the need for the sheep to be led, directed, and shepherded by the shepherd.

While there are four needs that must be met for the sheep to rest, the shepherd must see to it that the sheep have something to drink. He knows where the still, quiet, deep, clean, pure water is that satisfies and keeps his sheep strong. The sheep will not drink water in a place where there is something that makes them restless or frightened.

· By still waters: There are three main sources of water: dew, deep wells, and streams.

Dew: The dew accumulates at dawn on the vegetation. In the stillness of the early morning, the sheep rise and feed on the vegetation that is moist from the dew. Thus, their thirst is satisfied. We need to drink deeply from the Word in the times when we can have stillness.

Deep wells: These are huge water cisterns, many dug into a rock cliff in dark areas. The cisterns often could not be seen at first glance. The shepherd would lead the sheep into dark areas to drink from these still waters. The Lord sometimes leads us through dark places; we must depend on Him and drink from the water He provides.

Streams and rivers: The best water to drink flows freely through the mountains. The Lord shows us that His Holy Spirit desires to lead us to the best water.

In the Old Testament, God began a relationship with a nation called Israel. This was a nation of slaves. He promised them a new place to dwell and took them to the Promised Land, the place where milk and honey flow. The phrase “where milk and honey flow” refers to a place where food is abundant, and there is an abundance of blessings. All the promises and prophecies direct us to Jesus Christ. In Him, there is fullness.

Lord, we thank You that Jesus Christ has done all the work so that we may have peace. May we rest and remain in the green pastures that You have for us. Fill us with the peace that can only come with Your majestic presence.

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