God in the 23rd Psalm
In his delightful book The Ultimate Guide to the Names of God, Elmer Towns explains that “as each name of God is unfolded, a new source of strength is revealed to His people.”[1] He includes a chart which shows how “Psalm 23 is structured to show that our needs are matched by the caring response of God.”[2] That chart is excerpted below:
Verse 1: The Lord is my shepherd
Jehovah Roi, the God who sees
Verse 2: I shall not want
Jehovah Jireh, the Lord shall provide
Verse 2: He leadeth me beside the still waters
Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our peace
Verse 3: He restoreth my soul
Jehovah Rophe, the Lord our healer
Verse 3: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness
Verse 4: I will fear no evil
Jehovah Nissi, the Lord my banner
Verse 4: Thou art with me
Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there
Verse 5: Thou anointest my head with oil
Jehovah Medaddishkhem, the Lord who sanctifies you
What an astonishing God we have. May you be blessed and strengthened in your faith as you read and pray through this Psalm.
[1] Elmer L. Towns, The Ultimate Guide to the Names of God (Baker Publishing Group, Kindle edition), p. 27.
[2] Ibid.
At this time when so many are caught in being intellectuals, being proud of their knowledge of the Scriptures and current trends, reading all the popular books and magazines articles that are being printed by those who are seen as authorities on faith and religion. To many are lost and separated from an abiding faith in God the Father and Christ our Savior, having no personal relationship or true faith in them and all the attributes of God.