Psalms in Worship—Psalm 23 with Art and Reflection

Sometimes what is most familiar to us begins to lose its depth—to feel worn, or quietly distance. And yet, what is familiar is often what holds the deepest truth, waiting to be seen again. To rediscover its wonder, we must return to it slowly, with fresh eyes and a receptive heart. 

This can be true of the psalms—for me it was Psalm 23. 

In seeking to enter this psalm more deeply and recover its richness, I spent time reflecting on the image of the shepherd as it has been portrayed through art. Then, I returned to the text itself, lingering with it, allowing its words to speak anew as I examined my own heart and life. 

What follows is a litany shaped by that process: scripture, reflection, and image woven together. It is best led by two voices—one proclaiming the words of the psalm, the other offering the reflection. But it could be spoken by one person. And while it is labeled as a litany, it could take the place of a sermon or form the basis for an entire service. 

However you chose to use this litany, make sure to move slowly. Do not rush the words. Allow the pauses and times of reflection to remain open and unfilled. In the silence, make space for stillness, contemplation, and for the quiet voice of the Spirit.

The paintings included here are all in the public domain and are available through Wikimedia Commons. By clicking on the title of each work, you can access downloadable image files as well as additional information about the artist and the piece.

The images are also gathered in the resource section below. The slide presentation was too large to upload but here is a link to a "Google slideshow" that you can download and then save and edit for your own use. The asterisk* within the liturgy indicates when to advance the slides.

May this litany be a gentle instrument of the Spirit, through which what is familiar is opened again—into deeper meaning and renewed wonder.

Psalm 23^NRSVUE with Art and Reflection

Psalm:	*The Lord is my shepherd;
Psalm:	*The Lord...
Reflection:	—not the things, or people of this world.
Psalm:	*The Lord is...
Reflection:	—not was, or will be, but present, here, now.
Psalm:	*The Lord is my...
Reflection:	my, mine.  Despite their number, the shepherd knows their sheep— the sheep are known,  and they know their shepherd.  The Lord is our shepherd;  the Lord knows us personally.  The Lord knows our name, our story,  our strengths,  and our wounds.  We are known—we belong.
Psalm:	*The Lord is my shepherd;
Reflection:	God cares for us,  watches over us,  protects us.  God loves us.
Psalm:	*I shall not want.
Reflection:	Do you trust the God, who knows you better than you know yourself to be your provider?  [Pause]  When you are in need, where do you turn?
	*Silent Reflection
Psalm:	*[The Lord, my shepherd,]  makes me lie down  in green pastures;
Reflection:	God knows when we need to rest— sometimes even before we do.  What have the green pastures looked like in your life?  [Pause]  Have there been times when God has made you rest?  [Pause]  What did that look like?  [Pause]  Did you recognize it?  Did you give thanks?
	*Silent Reflection
Psalm:	*[The Lord, my shepherd,]  leads me beside still waters;
Reflection:	For what do you thirst?  [Pause]  Have you asked God to open your eyes that you might see the water, come to it, and drink?
	*Silent Reflection
Psalm:	*[The Lord my shepherd,] restores my soul.
Reflection:	This is not only a future promise,  but a present reality.  God nourishes;  God provides; God restores— again and again.
Psalm:	*He leads me in right paths.   for his name’s sake.
Reflection:	Oh, if only we would follow,  instead of wandering after what distracts and entices us.  God shows the way, but we must be willing to walk it.  Where do you see God leading you today?
	*Silent Reflection
Psalm:	*Even though I walk  through the darkest valley,
Reflection:	How deep is your trust in God?  [Pause]  What if God's leading takes you through difficulty, through uncertainty, through darkness? Will you still trust God?  [Pause]  The path may not be easy, but God will not abandon us.
Psalm:	*Even though I walk  through the darkest valley,   I fear no evil,
Reflection:	Sometimes we must speak truth  before we fully feel it.  Declaring "I fear no evil" is not denial— it is an act of faith.  Can you say those words today?  Do you trust your shepherd to lead you through?
	*Silent Reflection
Psalm:	*I fear no evil, for you are with me;     your rod and your staff,     they comfort me.
Reflection:	We are not alone.  Never alone.  The God who knows us is with us,  always.  The rod and staff— tools of guidance and correction— remind us that God not only comforts,  but also redirects,  protects,  and calls us back when we wander.  When God is beside us,  we can move forward with quiet confidence:  all will be well.
Psalm:	*You prepare a table before me     in the presence of my enemies;
Reflection:	One of the hardest callings is this:  to live in peace,  even among those who oppose us.  Can you imagine the trust it takes to sit and eat, surrounded by those who wish you harm?  God prepares the table—but will we sit down?  Will we release fear, resentment, control?  [Pause]  Who are your enemies? What does it look like for God to set a table for you in their presence?
	*Silent Reflection
Psalm:	*you anoint my head with oil;
Reflection:	Imagine dry, cracked skin  being soothed by warm oil.  Healing.  Restoration.  Renewal.  Oil also marks calling— being set apart for a purpose.  God heals us, yes, but also sends us.  Where do you need God's healing?  Where might God be calling you?
	*Silent Reflection
Psalm:	*my cup overflows.
Reflection:	Can you imagine such a rich life?  [Pause]  —a life rooted in trust,  sustained in both rest and hardship... —a life guided by the Shepherd,  where even the valleys are not without hope... No wonder the psalmist says,  "my cup overflows."  This is a life of deep  and abiding blessing.
Psalm:	*Surely goodness and mercy  shall follow me     all the days of my life,
Reflection:	Not occasionally.  Not conditionally.  Surely.  Always.
Psalm:	*and I shall dwell  in the house of the Lord     my whole life long.
Reflection:	Always and forever with God. What joy.  What peace.  What promise!

Revised Common Lectionary

Year A: Lent—Fourth Sunday in Lent
Year A: Easter—Fourth Sunday of Easter
Year A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 23 (28)
Year B: Easter—Fourth Sunday of Easter
Year B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 11 (16)
Year C: Easter—Fourth Sunday of Easter