The
Reading of Psalm 23
There was once
a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man
show of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end
his
performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23. Each night, without
exception, as
the actor began his recitation -- "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not
want"--the
crowd would listen attentively. And then at the conclusion of the psalm,
they would rise
in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to
bring
the verse to life.
But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of
Psalm 23,
a young man from the audience spoke up. "Sir, do you mind, if
tonight,
I recite Psalm 23?"
The actor was quite taken aback by this unusual request, but he allowed the
young
man to come forward and to stand front and center on the stage to recite the
psalm
knowing that the ability of the unskilled youth would be no match for his own
talent.
With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the psalm.
When he was
finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other
nights.
All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so
moved
by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears.
Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't
understand. I have
been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and
training,
but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight.
Tell me, what is your secret?"
The young man humbly replied, "Well, sir, you know the psalm . . .
but I know the Shepherd."
It makes a difference.
Psalms 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for His name's sake
Yea,
though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me.
Thou
preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup Runneth over.
Surely
goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for
ever.