Lectio Divina: Beside Still Waters (Psalm 23)

Perhaps the most well known of all passages of the Bible, Psalm 23 has become a beacon of comfort, peace, and hope to people of all faiths and beliefs. This Lectio offers space to contemplate and allow the image of the shepherd leading sheep through the valley to green watered pastures to soak into your soul and bring relief from fear and anxiety. May peace be with you.

Transcript

Hello,

This is Mark Gladman,

Also known as Brother Frederick James.

Welcome to this Lectio Divina Audio,

In which our contemplation will be on Psalm 23.

Psalm 23 would have to be the most well-known of the Psalms,

And possibly the,

If not one of the,

Most well-known pieces of Scripture.

To Jews,

Christians,

And to many of other faiths,

And to the non-religious,

The Psalm carries an air of comfort,

Peace,

And calm.

Having said that,

Being one of the most well-known passages of Scripture means it's perfect for Lectio contemplation.

Familiar passages are too often read and moved on from quickly,

Because we can think we know all that the text has to say.

Lectio,

However,

Gives us space for things in the text that perhaps we'd not heard or noticed before,

And allow those things to come to the forefront.

In verse 4,

The Psalmist writes,

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will not fear,

For you are with me.

Notice the words of the Psalmist,

They're not stuck in the valley.

The Psalmist is not wallowing in the valley.

They're not lost in the valley.

They're not setting up camp in the valley.

They haven't stopped in the valley.

They're not trying to get out of the valley or giving up in the valley.

The Psalmist says that they are walking through the valley.

This means entering into darkness.

It means clambering over the mossy river rocks.

It means making your way up and down steep cliff faces.

It means facing your fears and your challenges.

It means moments where it can and probably will hurt.

It means resisting the urge to give up.

But there is another side,

A light at the end of the tunnel,

A point where the mountains on either side of the valley will give way and the shadow will lift and the sun will be shining upon you again.

While this Psalm is perfect for contemplating any day,

If you would describe your position right now as going through the valley,

Then this is a Psalm that will speak to you right there where you are.

So God,

May you deeply speak to us and may the word or phrase that you draw us to bring comfort,

Peace and hope as you walk with us.

Amen.

Let's begin.

The Lord is my shepherd.

I shall not be in want.

You make me lie down in green pastures and lead me beside still waters.

You revive my soul and guide me along right pathways for your name's sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I shall fear no evil,

For you are with me.

Your rod and your staff,

They comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me.

You have anointed my head with oil and my cup is running over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

The Lord is my shepherd.

I shall not be in want.

You make me lie down in green pastures and lead me beside still waters.

You revive my soul and guide me along right pathways for your name's sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I shall fear no evil,

For you are with me.

Your rod and your staff,

They comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me.

You have anointed my head with oil and my cup is running over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

The Lord is my shepherd.

I shall not be in want.

You make me lie down in green pastures and lead me beside still waters.

You revive my soul and guide me along right pathways for your name's sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I shall fear no evil,

For you are with me.

Your rod and your staff,

They comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me.

You have anointed my head with oil and my cup is running over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

May God's strength keep us going and God's courage move us to fear nothing,

Because God is with us.

May we cling to God,

Follow God's lead,

Stick to God's path.

And in doing so,

May we find our way safely through the valley to the peace of still waters awaiting us on the other side.

Amen.

And may you truly go in peace to love and serve God as you love and serve your neighbour.

Amen.

Reviews

This is probably the first Psalm I learned as a child. Bringing the process of Lectio Divina to it makes it come more alive. Raised questions for me and helped me notice things I hadn't before. Than you. I look forward to listening to another lectio meditation from you. 🙏🏻
Addendum: I have felt drawn to listen to this lectio several times amidst what is happening in my country. We are collectively walking through the valley of the shadow of death here in the U.S. Thank you again for posting this. It helps regulate my nervous system bringing me calm amidst the chaos. 🙏🏻

Love, love, love. Favorite is not setting up camp in the valley. Really speaks to me. Thank you. 🙏🏼

I am new to Christian meditation. Beautiful. Thank You!

Thank you 🙏
This is lovely and touched me deeply

Even though I usually associate Psalm 23 with funerals, for me, it's all about living! Thank you so much this was beautiful 🌸

A beautiful experience . I appreciate your instruction about familiarity bringing new insight
through Lectio. I noticed the very basic contrast from “walk through” to “dwell”. Although I’ve been praying this psalm for 45 years, the fluidity in Ps 23 is now bringing me deep comfort. Many thanks for sharing your gifts with us and many Blessings.🦋

Beautiful and powerful guided meditation. Thank you 🙏

Amen. I will be anxious of nothing for God doesn't give me the spirit of fear, but of power, love and self control. 🙏 Thank you for this time in prayer!

Thank you this is just what I needed. I know the Lord is with me.

I love the psalm. It encapsulates all we ask . Lovely to hear your interpretation of it.🙏🏻

This really helps us see how good our God is! Thank you 🙏🏼 😊

I very much liked the translation you used. What is it? I learned this Psalm from Original King James🙏🏼

Excellent!! Always a favorite & rather music was perfect. Than you or posting this. Bless you. 💕💕😇

A brief introduction to lectio divina at the beginning, then a measured, reflective-paced reading of Psalm 23 with soft music. I enjoyed the long spaces with music only between each reading of the psalm. Very simple but inviting practice of connecting with God through lectio divina.

This is an amazing guided meditation. It really captures the message of the psalm and the promise of God. Thank you.

Truly beautiful thank you! My favourite psalm and one I used to read to my husband and quite often quote to friends when they stayed in the valley! Blessings to you! 🙏🙏🙏

I got an answer from God that I can deal with through this very difficult time. Thank you!

I did not know this psalm before hearing this Lectio. I found it so beautiful and moving that I was in tears. Thank you so much. This will stay with me for the rest of my life.

This has left me with a very real sense of the Shepherd being with me. Such gentle comfort.

When meditation brings you in another level of consciousness. I love you God and I can't wait to dwell in you house forever ❤