Lines by Heart: Psalm 23

This week Anna McCracken,North West Hub Leader at The Reader recites Psalm 23.

The theme for our daily readings and recommendations in November is 'Light in the Dark' - download the full calendar here.

In March, the author Michael Rosen was admitted to hospital with COVID 19, where he remained for 3 months, having spent 47 days on a ventilator.

Once out of hospital he tweeted:

“I’m not religious but occasionally this year I’ve thought of the phrase the ‘shadow of death’ and the idea of it passing over me: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” “

As a family, we have turned to Psalm 23 during the pandemic. Back in March we spent time learning it by heart, and encouraging our children to make up actions to help them remember. In life the Psalms are our songbook, in good times and bad: looking out beyond ourselves for meaning and worth.

Michael Rosen’s tweet got me thinking that maybe these words are should not be just for ‘the religious’; there is meaning there for us all.

So here’s your Lines by Heart challenge for this week: can you learn Psalm 23 with me?

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he restores my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.