Poetry, The Language of Worship
Even though there are 150 Psalms, probably most Christians can quote what is simply known as The Twenty Third Psalm or The Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 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. (Psalm 23)
Once David declares his subject, “The Lord is my shepherd,” he simply extends the analogy. David, himself a shepherd feeding his sheep metaphorically becomes a sheep led by Good Shepherd, the Savior Jesus Christ. In fact, upon reading the poem, as is David’s intent, we too become one with David. We too become sheep being led by Christ who is the Good shepherd. The image of the good shepherd dominates the Holy Bible as the following titles indicate. Christ is called by the following titles:
· The shepherd of Israel (Psalms 80:1
· The Good shepherd (John 10:11)
· One Shepherd (John 10:16)
· That great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20)
· Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)
While in his ministry on earth, Christ declared.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:11-16)
Simile, metaphor, and extended analogy are common tools of the poet. One thing takes on the attributes of another. Comparisons often provide a framework for the entire poem. The analogy is sometimes carried as far as it can go. Poetry is noted for its richness of metaphor and other imagery as well as its ambiguity and economy of language. Poetry provides many levels of meaning, giving the poem a life of its own that can be adapted to many cultures and many situations. Poetry is the preferred language of scriptures. What would happen to the Book of Revelation if the poetic imagery were removed?
Just look at the rich imagery of the 23rd Psalm
· Green pastures
· Still waters
· Valley of the shadow of death
· They rod and thy staff they comfort me
· Thou preparest a table before me
· Thou anointest my head with oil
· My cup runneth over
Let me draw your attention to the wonderful ending. It is a hidden analogy. If you submit yourself to Christ—in other words, if you follow Christ as a sheep follows its shepherd, then goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life.
