I Will Fear No Evil

Meditation Insights of the 23rd Psalm

Recently I was meditating in the morning and asking for guidance on what I could share with you that could empower your spiritual journey at this time.

I found the 23rd Psalm running through my mind with a new understanding and insight of the meaning, intention and power of those familiar words.

I would like to share those impressions with you today.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Tradition tells us that David, who was a shepherd, before becoming a King, wrote this Psalm.

Whenever I read the Psalms or the story of the life of David who became a King I am struck by several things. One is David’s strong sense of the joy and relationship with his Soul and the other is the powerful relationship of communion and faith in God.

Those dynamics are expressed and exalted in the 23rd Psalm that has been used as a comfort to so many for so long.

If we consider the words thoughtfully, there is a deep and underlying meaning in the words of the 23rd Psalm that can be pondered on and of benefit to you in your life.

The first phrase:

The Lord is my shepherd

This is a powerful statement because it implies being in a guiding and protective relationship with God.

This relationship is one of a human being, “I”, being in a close communion with God “Thou”. It speaks to a willingness to be directed by the higher wisdom of God as he has a greater vision of the whole scope of your life. The surrender to this wisdom and this guidance is a part of what makes this Psalm so comforting. God as a shepherd has the big picture and will provide direction. You are not in this adventure of life alone; you are connected with the Divine who loves and cares for you.

I shall not want

This is a powerful affirmation, not only of faith but also in keeping with the Law of Attraction. This affirms that abundance is yours to the point that your needs and your wants are provided for.

He makes me lie down in green pastures

There is no greater gift to a sheep, who is guided by a shepherd, than a green pasture filled with more than enough to eat.

He leads me beside still waters

It is in the still waters that thirst can be quenched easily. I have often thought of the still waters as symbolic of the waters of life that quench not only physical thirst but a spiritual thirst for knowledge and love. In this stillness continues the affirmation that what you need will be provided for by the wisdom and guidance of the Lord as your shepherd.

He restores my Soul

This speaks to the dual relationship that you have with God. As a Soul you are a being who is not just a physical body with material needs, but a being who has a Soul that is united with God, in an integrated union, an “I-Thou” relationship.

You are not alone in your spiritual quest. You are together with the Divine. In the creation story of the Bible, we are told that God created man in His own image to be in a relationship. That part of our being that is in the image of God is our Soul. This is the Divine spark that resides in each of us.

This spark of Divine Light is the essence of your Soul. It is your essential Light that holds you in constant connection with the Divine. I believe this so much that in the very first affirmation of my “Awaken to Success” – affirmations for abundance collection, I wrote, “I am a spark of Divine Light, it is my nature to shine.” This remains one of my favorite affirmations and one I frequently use in my own life.

As a human being whose spiritual anatomy includes not only a physical body, but also emotions, a creative and conceiving mind, and also a Soul, you are a unique part of creation. It is this dual aspect of human nature that separates man from animal. It is through the connection of the Soul that the exalted co-creator relationship with God is demonstrated.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake

To me the path of righteousness means right action and right relationship with others. This includes the principles of harmlessness, and right speech.

Your actions and behaviors as a child of God and as a member of his flock witness to others what it means when you are in right relationship with the Divine. Every step you take and every move you make can be a demonstration of this right relationship.

Even though I walk in the valley and the shadow of death,

We have all had difficult times in life when we were emotionally down or may have had problems with health that reminded us that we are mortal and “the shadow of death” is a reality in human life.

Yet, it is a great comfort in those darkest of times to know that even if death is overshadowing, God is with you. You are not alone on the path in the valley of life’s experiences. Your Soul is eternal, and your relationship with God is eternal. This is a great comfort and an incredible blessing.

I will fear no evil

Certainly conquering your fears is one of the most freeing aspects of living a spiritual and conscious life. In the immortal words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “You have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” Fear is the most limiting force in most lives. It can keep you from fulfilling your life’s purpose and destroy the happiness and joy that is your birthright as a beloved Child of God. It is the work of evil in the world.

To free yourself from fear is the fruit of spiritual growth and evolution. It is an essential element in the journey to conscious living. It is the desired outcome of the discipline and practice of meditation.

 

For Thou Art With Me

This speaks to the assurance that you are not alone in the challenges of life. God is always with you. You are supported and sustained by the Presence of God in your life. You can be comforted and reassured by that connection that is always available to you.

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me

You may not understand how a shepherd uses his rod and his staff and how that provides comfort to the flock, but I have always thought that this refers to the way that God works to gently guide us in our life to the right path. This sense of being directed and guided in my life is always a comfort.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies

I have never seen the world in terms of enemies, so this phrase has never held that much meaning for me. I have always thought that this was a way that David expressed his sense of being protected by God while being blessed with abundance, a way of expressing his faith and assurance that his life was being directed.

Considering the political aspects of David’s life, even when he was a shepherd, this sense of enemies and God showing high favor to them by “preparing a table” is symbolic of God demonstrating his Love and Grace as he guides David to his destiny.

Thou anoints my head with oil

This is a reference to David being chosen as King. In olden times, there is a ritual in which the prophet anointing the head with oil meant God’s favor. For you, it might mean being promoted or offered a new position that is more aligned with your life’s purpose. This, in modern terms, is the demonstration of success.

My cup overflows

This is certainly an expression of great gratitude and affirmation of abundance. It is interesting that at the beginning of the Psalm is an affirmation of abundance and at the end a statement of appreciation for the abundance or success received.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life

This is both an insight of David’s deep relationship with God, one of both goodness and mercy, but is also a statement of faith.

And I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever

This statement also affirms the eternal nature of the relationship that David shares with God. A child of God dwells forever in the house of his Father. This speaks to a commitment that spans time.

A Psalm is more an affirmation than a prayer. In saying this Psalm, you are expressing and affirming a deep relationship with God. This Psalm is one of the most popular because there is comfort in affirming the surrender to God and support of God as a guiding force in your life.

I invite you to fear no evil and enjoy the peace and comfort that this kind of relationship with God brings into your life.

Namaste,

Genevieve

The Blessing of Love on All That You Do!

 

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Last updated 2-4-2018

 

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