5/4 Through Psalm 23

Green Pastures
Psalm 23:2, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”.

With a simple stroke of the inspired pen, our Lord ushers our hearts away from the difficulties and drudgery of everyday life! At once, we find ourselves in the midst of a sacred scene in which our tender Shepherd becomes the centerpiece of our every contemplation! In this pleasant pasture, it is the presence of Christ that is the source of all peace; it is the leading of Christ that is the cause for all confidence; and it is the provision of Christ that is the supply of every need!

Here we are called away from the wilting grasslands of this world, to a pasture where the fragrant fields are full with lush grass in an unending supply! It is in this sanctified setting that we may leave behind the famine of this life to enjoy the rich grasses of God in a place of plenty where we need never hunger! You see, this fruitful field is not merely a scene of beauty; it is also a source of bounty! It is a source of unlimited supply where we may find the sufficient resource for every necessity as we journey in “the paths of righteousness” (verse 3)!

But what are these “green pastures” of which the psalmist speaks? What is it that our Shepherd seeks to show us in these choice words? It is evident that these are not literal pastures where even the basest of creatures may roam. Instead, this is a figurative field reserved only for the sheep of his fold! So then, since this is indeed a symbolism, we need to know what it is that is being depicted through this comforting claim.

In order to accomplish this, let us first consider the definitions of these words. Once we lay hold of their definitions, I think we will more clearly understand their distinction! The words “green pastures” come from two Hebrew words. The word “green” is from the word (deshe’) which means grass, new grass, green herb or vegetation. In fact this same Hebrew word is translated “grass” eight times in our King James Bible, and six times it is translated “herb”. Then we see the word “pastures” which comes from the word (na’ah) which not only means pasture or meadow, but it is also the word for abode. In fact, it translates “habitations” five times and “houses” one time in Scripture. Thus, these “green pastures” are an abode of grass or a habitation of herbs.

Think of what this means dear friend! These “green pastures” in which he “maketh me to lie down” are not momentary meadows of life. Rather, they are an abode in which the people of God may dwell and feed and rest! But where is such a place of pasture to be found? I believe this divine dwelling place, this holy habitation, is none other than the Word of God! That is the fertile field which God has prepared to feed his flock!

You see, there are several things that must be accomplished before sheep can be afforded rest. When we considered the truth of “He maketh me to lie down”, we mentioned that there must be a freedom from fear for such rest to be realized. We have seen that this is only made possible through the Shepherd’s presence. However, there must also be a freedom from famine, and that is only obtained through the Scripture.

Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Thy Words were found, and I DID EAT THEM; and thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart”! Job 23:12 reminds us, “I esteemed the Words of his mouth MORE THAN MY NECESSARY FOOD”! Our Lord Jesus plainly stated, “Man SHALL not LIVE by bread alone, but BY EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4)! Yes dear friend, it is the Word of the Living God that is the pleasant pasture for the sheep of his fold! It is as we graze in the grasses of its precious pages that our hungry souls are filled!

Set before us in the blessed Bible is a feast for the people of God! However, this feast is not merely a source of initial feedings, but it also a source for perpetual ruminating! It is interesting to note that sheep are among the ruminate class of animals. This means that they have four stomachs, or more accurately four parts to their stomach. Ruminate animals not only ingest food at their initial feedings, but as they rest, they “chew the cud” by bringing the food out of one compartment of the stomach and chewing on it again.

Though this may seem an unpleasant picture, it well illustrates the way in which the Bible nourishes the people of God. You see, we must learn to go beyond surface readings of Scripture to the continual chewing on those truths which are derived from it. The Bible calls this meditating! Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt MEDITATE THEREIN day and night”. Then, in Psalm 1:2 we read, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he MEDITATE day and night.”

The word “meditate” that is used in these two texts is from the Hebrew word (hagah). The stem of the word in both these cases is Qal, and thus, it carries the idea to muse. In other words, God is commanding us to do with spiritual food, what sheep do with their physical food. We are to, “chew the cud” so to speak. We are to learn to muse and ruminate on the precious precepts of God’s Holy Word! This is both a means of obtaining maturity, and a mark of having it! You see, healthy and mature sheep will ruminate for several hours a day, and so must it be for the “sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3)!

Oh that the people of God might learn to abide in the “green pastures” of the Word! May this become the holy habitation in which our hearts dwell! It is only as we feed on the tender grass of the Word and ruminate on the truths that it teaches that our minds are kept fully fixed upon the “The Father of Mercies, and The God of All Comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3)! And, as our minds “meditate” upon our tender Shepherd through the blessed Scriptures, the “green pastures” do their desired work! Then and only then can we be made to “lie down” and rest in him! May God help us to ever remember, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3)!