What is overlooked about Psalm 23 is that it says two different things about God. It could have been two psalms instead of one.
Most everyone knows what is being said in the first portion of Psalm 23, vss. 1-4, “The Lord is my shepherd.” We can look to God for guidance and support no matter where we are on life’s journey. God is “with” us and will get us “through.”
The second thing said is less known, God is our sanctuary, vss. 5-6. The situation envisioned here is that of one’s enemies chasing him through the countryside, wanting to do him harm. They are hot on his heels when he sees a tent in the distance. Lungs bursting, the fellow races to the tent and grabs one of the flaps.
It was widely accepted – the law, in effect - that pursuers could not touch a person holding onto the flaps of another’s tent. The one who dwelled in the tent at that point had to make a decision: either turn the fellow over to his pursuers, or grant him sanctuary. In Psalm 23, God is living in the tent and grants the psalmist sanctuary. To say that God prepares “a table before me in the presence of my enemies,” is to say that the psalmist is dining inside the tent, flaps open to catch the breeze, while his enemies glare at a distance, cursing their luck.
A variety of enemies may be hot on our heels – addictions, family problems, work problems, grudges, guilt, sin, etc. The good news is that God hospitably provides us rest and renewal, strength for the journey ahead, when we need it. This puts all else in perspective. “Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - DJ
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