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Hello! Thanks for joining me here. This past weekend I had the opportunity to share some of my discoveries from this study at a women’s conference in central Florida. It was awesome to see so many women interested in personally exploring God’s Word!

In my study, I felt the Spirit leading me to focus on verse 3; my questions about how the Lord as Shepherd restores a soul and whether it’s related to being on righteous paths. Here’s what I uncovered this past week:

Last Week’s Work

WHO (CHARACTERS)

I discovered two main characters:

1. David, the first character mentioned. The Psalm is “of” him, which I think means he wrote it (v1). In v2, he describes following the second character,
2. The LORD, into green pastures and past still waters. In my focus verse, David says the LORD restores his soul and leads him in righteousness for the sake of the LORD’s name (v3). David further explains even when he feels like he’s in a valley of death’s shadows, he’s not afraid of evil there, because he knows the LORD/Shepherd is with him, and the LORD’s rod and staff make him feel safe (v4). David also says the LORD anoints him and sets him up with provisions—so much so, his cup runs over! And in front of David’s enemies, no less. Finally, David believes goodness and mercy will be with him all the days of his life, and he’ll live in the LORD’s house forever (v6).

Did you notice in the ESV, LORD is all caps? Since this is the first study in my God Who? series, I can’t wait to research this name and all the other biblical names of God we’ll encounter in this series!

WHERE (LOCATIONS)

In this short Psalm, I noticed at least one location in all verses but the first:

• Green pastures and still waters (v2). This makes me think of what a sheep would like: lying down with plenty of food and water around. It also reminds me of a scene from my childhood in southwest Kansas: a lake and the pastureland surrounding it. I remember going there as a child and feeling so calm: I was with my family, sitting by the water, so contented to just be there with people I knew and trusted.
• Paths of righteousness (v3). This was part of the HUH? question I’m pursuing: I don’t feel confident I know what David means by this.
• Valley of death’s shadow (v4). This is also an unfamiliar term to me, though I certainly can imagine plenty of places that would evoke my fear, as did this place for David.
• Presence of David’s enemies (v5). I can’t imagine anyone feeling comfortable in an environment where he has no friends. I also can’t imagine feeling safe enough to enjoy a meal there!
• The house of the LORD (v6). The closest I think I’ve come to what David mentions here would be the peace I’ve experienced in quiet, meditative environments like old places of worship where generations of Christians have prayed and otherwise sought the presence of God on earth.

WHEN (TIME FRAMES)

I found just two timeframes: all the days of my life and forever. Both occur in v6, when David talks about goodness and mercy following him (all his life) and when he anticipates living in the LORD’s house (forever). These must refer to different things, so I think he’s talking about experiencing goodness and mercy during his earthly life, then living in God’s house in the life beyond.

Dig-In Challenges

Here’s my plan for this week:

1. PRAY the prayer I wrote last week before I study. Then I’ll…
2. MINE: Look for repeated words or phrases in this passage and check for synonyms or pronouns that refer to the same concepts.
3. MINE: Locate any special statements (blessings, commands, curses, prayers, promises, requests, and/or warnings) in the passage.
4. MINE: Note any lists (3 or more similar items) mentioned in Psalm 23.
5. Record what the Spirit prompts so I can use it in Steps 4 and 5.

Remember, you can download this printable summary of the DISO process for more specific instructions. I’ll share what I discover with you next week, so I hope you’ll join me then.

GO TO WEEK 4 >