Psalm 23: Two Audiences

After teaching for over 30 years, I’ve had lots of practice with summarizing ideas. Here’s an observation and summary of Psalm 23 that you may have also made. First, read Psalm 23 below. 

Psalm 23 (Mash-Up of NIV and NKJ)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside the still, quiet waters,

He restores and refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths,

the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the darkest valley,

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.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

As you read verses one through three, notice the pronoun is “he.” David, the author of the chapter, is worshiping God by sharing who God is and what God has done for him. We are the audience. In verses four, five, and six, the pronoun changes to “you” and “your.” Now David’s audience is God.

 Like David, we have two audiences, the quirky, diverse people we encounter in life and the Creator of all of these wonderfully unique individuals. Today when you venture out, may you remember others are watching. And may your thoughts, words, and actions honor the audience of ONE, God.