This is the first chapter of the Bible I have memorized. Credit where credit is due, the sidebar post by u/Red-Curious on this matter is what motivated me to take memorizing God's Word seriously. Thank you.

I took his advice on meditating on the meaning behind it so that what I memorize is useful, not just a bunch of words that I happen to remember. So, here are my thoughts.


Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;

We are reminded of who we are in our relationship with God. He is our shepherd, we are His flock.

Additionally, as sheep, we wander; however, he isn't disappointed or mad but rather leads us back.

I shall not want.

On one hand, a lesson in gratefulness. (Why should I want? Look at everything God has already given me!) On the other, a reminder to remember the bigger picture and not get so caught up in our own lives.

 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

There's a forceful element to this. Almost like we don't want to calm down, so He makes us lie down in green pastures because He loves us.

He leads me beside still waters.

In contrast to the last sentence, now He leads and we follow. We agree He knows what's best.

 He restores my soul.

Sums up the last two sentences and reminds us who our rest is.

He leads me in paths of righteousness  for His name's sake.

He is righteous, so He leads us towards righteousness. This is a great comfort to me. But we best not forget it's for His name's sake; if we live righteous lives, that is a testament to God's love, grace, and righteousness that He could transform a dirty sinner like us into a Son of God.

 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,  I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

When walking through a valley, knowing that God is by your side and that He won't leave you is a great encouragement. When not walking through the valley, this is a reminder that good things aren't permanent. Don't get complacent.

 your rod and your staff,

 they comfort me.

The Bible says that God disciplines those that he loves. When being disciplined/taught a lesson, we should accept it and know that God is doing because He loves us, hence, a comfort.

However, some digging and found that a shepherd's rod and staff are used to bring the sheep back into the fold and fight off attacking animals for the protection of the sheep. So, like a shepherd, God will also fight off our enemies. 1 Cor. 10:13 seems applicable here.

 

You prepare a table for me  in the presence of my enemies;

God provides for us, even when we are surrounded by our enemies, those that wish to do us harm.

you anoint my head with oil;  my cup overflows.

God has blessed us: a reminder both of His great love and to be grateful of what we have already been given.

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

God blessed his children, and we are children of God. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him? Matt. 7:11. This is one part that I've had to learn.

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

 forever.

The ultimate goal of God's love for us: that we might be with Him forever.


I love to recite Psalm 23 as my prayer. The Psalms do a much better better job than I could; there was a reason they were Israel's favorites. It helps to ground me in who I am, that in the big picture, my struggles are not all that important. It helps me let go and rest in the Lord. It reminds me that I will never be alone, that God will always protect me. I can take great joy in the fact that I will "dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Overall, I go from a state of worry or unrest to joyful for what God has done for me. Memorizing this psalm has been a blessing to me.

For those of you who haven't started to memorize scripture, I hope this post will inspire you to start.