Does this make anybody else feel at ease when they read it?:

Psalm 23
King James Version

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I got this from this website: Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 23 - King James Version

Prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies, yup at ease.

No. Actually, it unsettles me.

Maybe because I was exposed to it too early, and "the valley of the shadow of death" is a scary idea for a young child?

It's very poetic and obviously from an era where shepherds would really identify with the imagery.

But I don't have any special feelings when I read it today.

Anointing head with oil, prior to death, right?

My cup runneth over...

The Tale of the Overflowing Teacup | The Cup of Life

Once, a long time ago, there was a wise Zen master. People from far and near would seek his counsel and ask for his wisdom. Many would come and ask him to teach them, enlighten them in the way of Zen. He seldom turned any away.One day an important man, a man used to command and obedience came to visit the master. “I have come today to ask you to teach me about Zen. Open my mind to enlightenment.” The tone of the important man’s voice was one used to getting his own way.

The Zen master smiled and said that they should discuss the matter over a cup of tea. When the tea was served the master poured his visitor a cup. He poured and he poured and the tea rose to the rim and began to spill over the table and finally onto the robes of the wealthy man. Finally the visitor shouted, “Enough. You are spilling the tea all over. Can’t you see the cup is full?”

The master stopped pouring and smiled at his guest. “You are like this tea cup, so full that nothing more can be added. Come back to me when the cup is empty. Come back to me with an empty mind.”

Frank Goad said:

Psalm 23
King James Version

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I got this from this website: Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 23 - King James Version

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i have enjoyed that Psalm since I was a child

when I’m attacked, usually at night in bed, I say that Psalm, and go right back to sleep

very soothing words, even if I don’t understand it all

coincidentally, I just today discovered what the “table in the presence of my enemies” is all about.

more enlightenment comes day by day.

I really like the analogy of God as a good Shepherd to me. I need the Lord to be my Shepherd and he is that Shepherd to me.

JustGeorge said:

No. Actually, it unsettles me.

Maybe because I was exposed to it too early, and "the valley of the shadow of death" is a scary idea for a young child?

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Depends on how sheltered the child is, I guess. Being sheltered from the reality of death and strife is a modern thing.

Saint Frankenstein said:

Depends on how sheltered the child is, I guess. Being sheltered from the reality of death and strife is a modern thing.

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Yeah, that's true. In my situation, pets died. Grandpas and Grandmas died. It was uncomfortable. And the 'shadow' part sounded ominous.

But that's my own take and feelings. Certainly, others have different views.

JustGeorge said:

Yeah, that's true. In my situation, pets died. Grandpas and Grandmas died. It was uncomfortable. And the 'shadow' part sounded ominous.

But that's my own take and feelings. Certainly, others have different views.

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Strange, since the whole point of the poem is to be uplifting. Although you are in this distressing state and fear your destruction, God is with you, empowers you and gives what we'd call serenity in trying times through His grace and mercy. That is supposed to be the meaning of it.

Saint Frankenstein said:

Strange, since the whole point of the poem is to be uplifting. Although you are in this distressing state and fear your destruction, God is with you, empowers you and gives what we'd call serenity in trying times through His grace and mercy. That is supposed to be the meaning of it.

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I can see how it would be uplifting for some.

I think we're all comforted by differing words and images.