SUBMERGEഉദാഹരണം

Finding Restful Waters

Psalm 23 has been and continues to be much beloved in Christian communities. These three opening lines bring images of fluffy white sheep scattered along the gently rolling green hills. This image exudes peace, contentment, and quietness of the soul. This ubiquitous image focuses on the serene nature of grassy meadows and restful waters. But, at the center of it all is the sheep. This is a sheep-centric image, which makes sense because we, humanity, are to picture ourselves as the sheep in this psalm.

However, I think the psalmist would suggest we have the wrong perspective on this image. The sheep are not the center of this image; the shepherd is the center. This psalm is to be read as a Shepherd-centric psalm. The LORD himself is the shepherd. The psalmist goes on to list what he does; he brings rest, he leads, he sustains, and he guides. The focus here is on all the things the shepherd does. But why? Why does the shepherd do these things? Is it because he loves the sheep? Is it because the sheep are helpless without him?

Each of these questions could be answered with yes, but they are only part of the reason for the shepherd’s care. The psalmist tells us that the shepherd takes care of his sheep for the sake of his good name. The shepherd is a good shepherd, so he does what good shepherds do. He has a reputation to live up to and is not about to let that fall to the wayside. God’s own character is what makes him a good shepherd, so he knows no other option than to be good at what he does. Psalm 23 invites us, as the sheep, to bask in the shepherd's goodness and to bring praise and glory to his great name alone. Psalm 23 invites us to center our image on the shepherd, to orient our lives around the one who sustains us.

Reflection:

Are you living a life that is sheep-centric or shepherd-centric?

What are some of the areas in your life where God needs to be placed at the center?

How can you begin to place God at the center of your life?

Dr. Alison K. Hawanchak
SNU Assistant Professor of Old Testament