Art Reading Scripture

Pasture With Sleeping Shepherds, Jan Siberechts 1650, Alte Pinakothek, Muncih Germany

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

"Through the shepherdess dozing in the sun and the child that has curled up on the ground to sleep, Siberechts captures the heat of summer. In this way he lends the pastoral theme - that is much in the tradition of Italian landscape painting - an accent of its very own."

The term "pastoral" refers to an idealized, peaceful, rural setting. As in the painting it evokes the Psalm, "He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul." All is at rest. There is no danger, no shadow of the darkest valley. Though the Psalm is most often used at funerals, its theme in the psalms is one of quiet trust. It sparks allusions to Eden, paradise, simplicity and innocence. The shepherdess, the child, the sheep, and the cattle are safe.

A teacher of mine, Anna Carter Florence, suggested a way to reread this Psalm to make it live. She said to change the pronouns, so that it sounds less like a description about God as shepherd, and more as the voice of God assuring that God is with us. Listen again.

I, the LORD, am your shepherd; you shall not want.

I make you lie down in green pastures;

I lead you beside still waters;

I restore your soul.

I lead you in right paths for my names sake.

Even though you walk through the darkest valley,

you fear no evil,

for I am with you; my rod and my staff comfort you.

I prepare a table before you

in the presence of your enemies;

I anoint your head with oil;

your cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you

all the days of your life,

and you shall dwell in my house your whole life long.

There is a difference between hearing this about God and hearing this from God. Certainly as it is written it is a confession of trust and faith. As it is heard again it speaks assurance and promise. In a world too often filled with fear and anxiety, threats perceived and received, we seek places of peace and refreshment. The Psalm is beloved throughout faith for a reason. The Psalm has been recomposed with various melodies and lyrics. "The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never. I nothing lack if I am his and he is mine forever." "The Lord's my shepherd; I'll not want. He makes me down to lie in pastures green; he leadeth me me the quiet waters by." "Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life. God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want, I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love, I walk by the quiet waters of peace." "Savior like a shepherd lead us; much we need thy tender care. In your pleasant pastures feed us, for our use your fold prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us; we are yours." Jesus spoke of being the good shepherd with the sheep saying, "...he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." Listen to the shepherd who sings you to peace and neither slumbers nor sleeps so you can rest and have your sould restored.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer