psalm 23 - we are never separate

anyone ever read psalm 23 in the old testament scriptures? here's a translation of it, by an artist named jon foreman. the song is called "house of god, forever". it has provided interior comfort to me. i used to read words like this, and take it in on an academic level.... and just breeze through them without internalizing it. for better or worse, it's what certain parts of evangelical christianity do... take apart words and analyze them and come up with some sort of systematic theology. it's all about picking things apart, and micro analyzing.  an alternative, is to understand the big picture, meditate on it...  the big narrative of love overcoming death... the christian story.

anyway, this has meant something to me. it's about god providing, about how everything you need in the here and now is provided for... we are lacking nothing in the present moment, and have hope of the same in the future. we are never separate. we may walk through the valley of death, it may happen... but even while we are walking, we will never be alone, we are never separate from god and his presence. we will not be wanting, all of our needs are met. consider the wildflowers growing in the rockies, or the birds around my neighborhood.... they are provided for, and then consider how much more we are provided for. there is a lot of learning to be had here, and i have a feeling it takes a lifetime of exploration to start to experience this fully:

God is my shepherd
I won't be wanting
I won't be wanting
He makes me rest
In fields of green
With quite streams
Even though I walk
Through the valley
Of death and dying
I will not fear
'Cause you are with me
You are with me

Your shepherd staff
Comforts me
You are my feast
In the presence of enemy
Surely goodness
Follow me
Follow me
In the house of God, forever

God is my shepherd
I won't be wanting
I won't be wanting
He makes me rest
In fields of green
Like quiet streams
Even while I'm walking
Through the valley
Of death and dying
I will not fear
'Cause you are with me
You're always with me

Your shepherd staff
Comforts me
You are my feast
In the presence of enemy
Surely goodness
Follow me
Follow me
In the house of God, forever