A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have what I need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life;
he leads me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
as long as I live.
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Write out the text of Psalm 23 while you reflectively pray through these parallels with Jesus’ walk through Holy Week.
Jesus identified himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10.
Jesus walked first through the valley of the shadow of death on Good Friday (Luke 22–23), so that those who believe in him can walk through their own valley of the shadow of death without fear.
Jesus ate at the table of the last supper in the presence of Judas, his enemy who would betray him to death (Luke 22).
Jesus entered resurrection life before us (Luke 24, Psalm 23:6, “dwelling in the house of the Lord forever”).
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.