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Lenten devotions 2008

FEB. 27 - A PSALM OF HOLY SECURITY
By Sheldon Good, a junior communication and business double major from Telford, Pa.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete Scripture.

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DEVOTIONAL:
The twenty-third Psalm is one of the most familiar texts of the Hebrew Scriptures. It’s one of few texts that have effectively synthesized both religious and secular worldviews. Appearances in popular culture include references from musicians such as The Eagles, U2 and Good Charlotte; in movies including Titanic, X-Men 2 and Bruce Almighty; and through cultural dignitaries like Bob Dylan, Stephen King and George W. Bush.

Most recently, the psalm has received wide acclaim on YouTube. Abby, a young redhead who fittingly wears a “princess” shirt, recites the passage from memory in a home video. My first recollection of Psalm 23 comes from when I was about Abby’s age -- maybe five years old -- and had to recite this passage in front of my home congregation. Only, I was given the praise of around 300 members of my church instead of almost 300,000 viewers online.

In Psalm 23, David addresses one of our deepest human needs: protection. We live in a country where the newest governmental cabinet position is the Secretary of Homeland Security. Our world has once again found itself focusing on rhetoric of hostility. I write this on a day when the news headlines include: “France watches Chad’s border,” “Al-Qaida shifting from Iraq to Pakistan” and “Bush vows to veto surveillance bill.”

Though we live in a time of uncertainty, terror and surveillance, this psalm offers the shepherding comfort of a Holy Security rather than the blind assurances of the political Homeland Security. I wonder what it might look like to relax in green pastures with the comfort of God's holy security, to dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Amen.

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SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23 (NRSV)
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I 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 goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.

Posted at 14:05 #