Psalm 23:3 – Back to Life
He revives me.
He leads me in the right paths,
for his name’s sake.
I would like to frame this verse between two others.
So the LORD God formed the human of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the human became a living being.
Genesis 2:7, my translation
And …
You hide your face and they are confounded.
Psalm 104:28,29, my translation
You take back their breath and they perish,
and the return to their dust.
You send out your breath [spirit] and they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
There are some words that are very much parallel here, and some that are slightly different. Let’s start with what the human became: A living being. In Hebrew, loosely transliterated, nephesh chayyah. This word nephesh is what is to be renewed or revived in Psalm 23:3.
The word for “breath,” or wind or spirit is neshama in Genesis 2:7, but ruach in Psalm 104. This word harks back to Genesis 1:2, where the ruach of God is blowing over the waters as the starting point of creation.
In Ezekiel 37, that ruach is called upon many times, and invited to come in and revive the dry bones (see especially 37:9). This is, of course, a great revival.
Further, in Psalm 104, the word for “they are created” is bara’, the key word for God’s creation throughout Genesis 1.
Now I’m not claiming that the Psalmist is quoting or alluding to any of these other passages. But these words would bring certain thoughts to someone who is well acquainted with Hebrew scripture.
In “he revives (or restores) my soul,” or just “he revives me” God’s creative and sustaining power is invoked. The shepherd is the creator of the universe. The creator of the universe is involved in the details of life, and cares about you.
Then you are led in established paths. The word suggests tracks or even ruts produced on a wagon trail, a path that is well traveled. He does this for his own sake.
Now I could say, “not for yours,” but in a very real way, when it’s for God’s sake it is for yours, because as your creator God, a good craftsman, cares about the entire creation, including you. God’s direct involvement is all through Scripture.
Where is God guiding you today?
