This past summer I chose a reading focus on Dallas Willard. While I did not get nearly as far into my reading list as I had hoped, there were two books that were helpful in better understanding who Dallas was, which in turn helped me better understand his work. The first of those books was a book about Dallas’ view of Scripture (Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus by Dave Ripper), and the second was a biography about Dallas (Becoming Dallas Willard by Gary Moon). Both books highlighted the emphasis Dallas placed on Scripture memorization and on constantly returning to favorite passages. One of those passages was, unsurprisingly, Psalm 23. This got me thinking about this psalm.
Below are some brief thoughts on this important text that can easily become too familiar to us, which can limit its deep impact on our hearts and souls.
First, it is obvious that the dominant metaphor of this psalm is that Yahweh, David’s God and our God, is a shepherd who leads, guides, protects, and provides for us, his sheep. David knew the intricacies of this job as well as anyone. Considering this connection adds layers of depth to these familiar words; these are not merely words but actual life experience for David.
- As David provided for his sheep so they were “without lack,” so also has God provided for David to be “without lack”.
- As David provided shalom experiences (times of rest, gentleness), so God has provided shalom experiences for David.
- As David restored life to weary and broken sheep, so also has God restored David’s life.
God’s shepherding of David has been experiential and formative for David’s view of his vocation and his relationship with God.
Second, something I noticed for the first time in reading this passage recently was the shift in person. The early part of the psalm speaks about God (third person), but after David has experienced the “valleys of deep darkness,” David shifts to address God directly (second person). Often our trials and struggles lead us to our knees to speak directly to God. David is no different. And David found the tools of the shepherd—the rod and the staff—to be his comfort. More than that, though, it is the presence of his Shepherd, and not merely his tools, that fortifies David’s faith and confidence to overcome any fear of evil. David addresses the God who is present with him and finds courage and renewed faith because of that intimacy with God.
Third, David closes the psalm by adjusting the shepherd metaphor to the king metaphor, though this shift is entirely understandable when we recognize the ANE connections between kings and shepherds. David knew the abundant provision of God and speaks of it as if it will certainly continue: “you shall prepare for me a table”. David knew the intentional protection of God through his pursuit of David: “surely goodness and lovingkindness shall pursue me all the days of my life”.
This experience of a “with God” life, embodied by David, is one of the primary themes of Dallas Willard’s spiritual formation work. As I returned to Psalm 23 and considered it afresh, it was obvious to me how impactful this text had been in Dallas’ life. It nourished my soul, and my prayer is that it will have the same effect for you.
