Reading the Psalms in various life situations. Reading Psalms in various life situations Psalm 23 psalms old testament

In one of the previous articles I wrote about. I am sure many of my dear readers have appreciated its effect on themselves and their lives. Today we’ll talk about good hope and confidence in our future. These priceless benefits are bestowed upon us Psalm 22.

In any unclear situation, rely on a higher power. In the matrix of the universe, in addition to the options born of our fears and insecurities, there is a plane where everything is always good for us and everything always works out in the best way for us. To move to this plane from your own, where you are anxious, incomprehensible and uncomfortable, where it is slippery and scary, use the key of Psalm 23. valley of the shadow of death

Just read it out loud or to yourself, from sight or from memory - and any good doors will open for you.

Remember - in any situation you are just one step away from success or failure. Psalm 23 will open the door to good events for you.

So, when we read Psalm 23:

#before any important decision, event, meeting or in any situation that worries you

##before leaving the house will allow events in your life to unfold most favorably for you and everyone around you I will fear no evil

###when you are confused, depressed and other negative emotions

You can read Psalm 23 either once or in cycles to bring stable, long-term changes to your life. In this case, choose for yourself a period of 8, 21, 40 or 60 days and read without missing a day from 7 to 33 times a day. It is advisable to combine it with a light fast (exclude meat). Before the first reading, dedicate the merits to your goal, desire, or, if there are none, then to the health and happiness of loved ones or everyone who needs it. death's shadow

All the psalms that make up the single sacred book of Psalms, created by King David, were written in the 11th-10th centuries before the birth of Christ and are a reflection of the events that took place in his life. The Psalter is considered by Orthodox Christians to be the main liturgical book. Without it, not a single morning or evening service is held.

Of all the psalms written by the prophet David, the largest part of his life description is Psalm 23, in which he reflects on the blessings that the Almighty has endowed him with. The Lord appears in the form of a Shepherd - a good shepherd. This metaphor is very close to David, since in the near future he himself was a shepherd. In the Bible, the image of a shepherd is very popular. in the very text of Psalm 22 of David, the psalmist realizes that only with such a Shepherd as the Lord will no one have need, only with Him can one experience peace and grace. The entire psalm twenty-two is permeated with King David’s admiration for communication with the Lord, which is expressed in every word.

Psalm 22 – interpretation of meaning

Psalm 22 of David tells about the Lord’s favor towards the king, about how He fully satisfies David’s earthly needs - these are meadows and well-fed herds. Here, too, spiritual food is spoken of. The main food for all believers is the Word of God.

The still waters spoken of in text of Psalm 22 of David nothing more than an image of the Divine world, which every Christian receives from the Lord, from His forgiveness. He is a shepherd, and we are all his sheep. The Lord directs His sheep to the true and righteous path. He leads all who entrusted their destiny to Him along the path of holiness. The rod and staff symbolize His power and protection of His sheep from any danger. Even when leaving this world, and moving into another world, and the joy that in these moments the Lord is next to you.

Psalm 22 of King David has a main symbol, which is an open testimony to the king’s enemies about his chosenness. Everything described in this Psalm 23 depicts the joy of the fullness of life of a believer. The verse about God’s mercy and grace accompanying the psalmist throughout his life has a special meaning. By saying “I will abide,” David predicts his return, since at the time of writing this creation, he was far from the sanctuary. The text of Psalm 22 of David clearly expresses his desire to return and for many days to remain in the pleasure of communion with the Lord.

Read the text in Russian Psalm 22 of David

The Lord is my Shepherd; I will lack for nothing: He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters, He strengthens my soul, He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff - they calm me. Thou hast prepared a table before me in the sight of my enemies; anointed my head with oil; my cup is overflowing. Thus, may Thy goodness and mercy accompany me all the days of my life, and I will remain

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Interpretation of Psalm 23

King David reflects on the blessings that the Lord has bestowed on him in life. He represents the Lord in the form of a Shepherd (a kind and generous shepherd).

Ps. 22:1 This metaphor comes naturally to David because he himself was a shepherd before he became king. In general, the image of a shepherd is used quite often in the Bible. The prophet Isaiah likens the coming Shepherd to the Messiah (Isaiah 40:11), and Jesus Himself identifies Himself with the “good Shepherd” in John 10:14. In the Epistle to the Hebrews Christ is called the “Great Shepherd” (Heb. 13:20), and in the First Epistle of Peter he is called the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4).

The psalmist realizes that with such a Shepherd, he will lack for nothing.

Ps. 22:2 The Lord fully satisfies David’s earthly needs (“green pastures” are meadows covered with lush grass; the herds grazing on them are well-groomed and well-fed). The first phrase of verse 2, however, also implies spiritual nourishment. It is no coincidence that the Bible so often emphasizes that the purpose of earthly shepherds appointed by God in the church is to feed the “flocks” entrusted to them (Acts 20:28; 1 ​​Peter 5:2; Ezek. 34:1-10; John 21:15-17). Their “food” should be the Word of God (Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2). "Still waters" is an image of God's calm and peace that we receive from Him when He forgives us.

Ps. 22:3 Through life circumstances and revelations from above, the Lord directs His “sheep” to the righteous path. He does this for the sake of His name, that is, being holy, He leads the path of holiness of those who have entrusted their destiny to Him.

Ps. 22:4 Even in the most difficult circumstances, in the “valley of the shadow of death,” such a person should not be afraid, because the Lord is near him, although he does not see Him. The rod and staff (both of these words mean shepherd's staff) are a symbol of the power of the shepherd, his ability to protect his sheep from any danger. Sometimes the images of this verse are understood literally, that is, in the sense that when the time comes for a believer to transition to another world, then at these moments the Lord is next to him. And awareness of this brings a person peace and joy.

Ps. 22:5 The probable symbolism of this verse is that the Lord openly testifies to David’s enemies about his chosenness. Since there is an image of a rich meal here, it is natural to mention the “oil” with which the hospitable hosts anointed the heads of their guests. All this depicts the joyful mood caused by the fullness of life of a believer (“my cup is overflowing”).

Ps. 22:6 Here the request and hope is expressed that the goodness and mercy of the Lord will accompany the psalmist all the days of his life. The phrase "and I will abide" in the original Hebrew expresses the idea of ​​return. In this regard, it is suggested that at the time of writing this psalm David was away from the sanctuary ("house of the Lord"), and he expresses an ardent desire to return to it, so that he could then enjoy communion with the Lord in its entirety for many days.

Psalm 23: The Great Shepherd

The twenty-second Psalm is perhaps the most beloved of all existing poetry. Whether sung to Crimond's majestic tune or recited in a Sunday school class, it retains an enduring charm and expresses timeless truths. “Blessed is that day,” wrote one ancient theologian, “when the 22nd Psalm was born!”

We can hardly improve on J.R. Littleproud's description:

“The secret of a happy life is that every need is met. “The Lord is my Shepherd; I will not need anything." The secret of a happy death is that all fear is eliminated. "Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because You are with me." The secret of a happy eternity is that all desires come true. "So, goodness and May mercy follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord many days."

22:1 Despite its worldwide popularity, this psalm is not suitable for everyone. It applies only to those who have the right to say: “The Lord is my Shepherd.” It is true that the Good Shepherd died for everyone, but only those who truly and definitely accepted Him by faith are His flock. His saving achievement really for everyone, but effectively only for those who truly believe in Him. Therefore, it all comes down to the possessive pronoun my. If He is not my Shepherd, this psalm has nothing to do with me. On the other hand, if

He is truly mine, and I am truly His, then He is everything to me!

22:2 I will not lack food for soul or body, because He makes me lie down in green pastures. I will not suffer from thirst or drought, for He leads me beside still waters.

22:3 I will not feel a loss of strength, because He strengthens my soul.

I will not be left without moral instruction, since He directs me on the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

It makes us smile to hear the story of a young disciple who became excited and amazed the audience when, while reciting this psalm, he invented a new version of the words: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I will not worry about anything.” However, he was not so wrong. He may not have remembered the words accurately, but he conveyed the exact meaning. If the Lord is our Shepherd, we really don't need to worry about anything!

22:4 And we don't need to be afraid of death. Even in the valley of the shadow of death there is nothing to fear, because the Shepherd is with us. The sting of death is sin, unconfessed and unforgiven sin. But Christ deprived death of its sting for believers. He has blotted out our sins once and for all. Now worse, what death can do to us, it turns out the best of everything that can happen to us. Thus we can declare:

No, death with a grave, I'm not afraid of you,
The debt has been destroyed.
Jesus was in the hour of sorrow at Calvary
Our sin is laid to rest.
Margaret L. Carson.

It is true that Christians may have some misgivings about the suffering that so often precedes death. As an old-time saint is said to have exclaimed, “I do not mind the Lord destroying my earthly hut, but I hope He will destroy it gently and gently!”

It is also true that the time for giving grace to a dying person usually does not come until it is necessary in the person's life. And the fact remains that for us death has lost its horror, since we know that to die means to be with Christ, which is incomparably better. "Death is gain."

The Shepherd's rod and staff calm the believer, protect and guide him. If necessary, He can use the rod for admonition. Most sheep need this kind of instruction from time to time.

22:5 Meanwhile, the Shepherd prepared a meal for us in the presence of our enemies. This meal includes all the spiritual blessings He has purchased for us with His precious blood. This meal symbolizes everything that is ours in Christ. Despite the enemies around us, we enjoy these blessings peacefully and calmly.

J. G. Jowett gives an example: “Eastern hospitality guarantees the safety of the guest. “All the sacred laws of hospitality protect him from harm. He is brought into the house, food is placed in front of him, and meanwhile his slow pursuers stand gloomily at the door."

The shepherd also anoints our heads with oil. Shepherds, taking care of the sheep, smear tangles and abrasions on their heads with oil. For a priest, anointing with oil means consecrating him for ministry. For a king, anointing occurs at coronation. Every believer receives the anointing of the Holy Spirit the moment he receives the Savior. This anointing secures for him the teaching ministry of God the Holy Spirit.

When we think about all the abundance of grace that we find in Jesus Christ, we are struck with a grateful understanding: “My cup overflows!”

His love is immeasurable
Infinite grace
The limits of His power
We'll never know
And grace in Christ
Never run out.
Annie Johnson Flint.

22:6 And finally, the secret of happiness in eternity awaits us. God's goodness and mercy accompany us all the days of our life, and in the end we find ourselves in the Father's house, our eternal abode. Thinking about all this, we cannot but agree with Guy King, who said: “What happy beggars we are!”

Psalm of David: text in Russian

1. The Lord shepherds me and will not let me need anything.
2. in a place where greenery is abundant - there He settled me, raised me by calm waters,
3. He converted my soul and directed me on the path of righteousness for the sake of His name.
4. Indeed, even if I walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff - they have encouraged me.
5. Thou hast prepared a table before my face in front of those who oppress me, anointed my head with oil, and Thy cup intoxicates me like the strongest.
6. And Your mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for many days!

Both our desires and actions are subject to the Almighty, but at the same time, we are free in our choice. A person turns to the Holy Scriptures, reads Psalm 23, when he matures to perceive God. David, at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, poured out the experiences of his soul onto paper and revealed its contents. We, led by the same Spirit, strive to understand holy thinking. Try on clothes that shine with cleanliness.

Recommendation: It is better for beginners to comprehend the Scripture translated into modern Russian. The text will be clearer, more interesting and easier to read. If you decide to learn a Psalm by heart (usually 90 and 26), use the Slavic translation. This form of presentation is more melodic, livelier, more accurate, and easier to remember.

Why are interpretations of the Psalms needed?

Depending on the “volume” of grace present in us, the words of Psalm 23 (and any other) will either touch the soul or not find a free, clean corner in it. When reading ancient prayers, one cannot rely on one’s own mind, the fabrications of the heart, if it is not cleansed of passions. For this purpose, interpretations are given by the holy fathers, who had a common opinion on the subject. We saw the true essence of the words laid down by the prophet of God.

But even without knowing them, the grace emanating from prayers teaches, invisibly instructs, and heals a person’s soul. Therefore, it is recommended to read even when the meaning is not entirely clear. Over time, you will develop a desire to study the topic more deeply.

Important: Psalm 22 is included in the Follow-up to the Communion of the Blood and Body of Christ. One prepares for the Sacrament not only physically, but also spiritually. The words of the song tune a person to the desired “wave”. The place is cleared for the Grace given by God. It is advisable to understand prayer, because it contributes to the deification of the communicant.

How to understand Psalm 22

In the Orthodox Church, it is customary to consider the 22nd Song of David a prophecy about Christ, Who is often compared to a Shepherd (shepherd), carefully protecting His flock. This image is close to the king; he himself tended sheep in his father’s house. The psalmist admires the Lord, who offered the Great Table - Blood and Body, which, like fire, scorch human passions and unite our nature with the Divine.

Therefore, prayer is included in the Follow-up to Communion. Reading Psalm 23, we learn, like pagans, to appreciate the gracious attitude of Christ towards us, who laid down his life for His sheep. What did the Spirit of Prophecy tell David about the Son of God? What a grateful heart will see behind the words of the verse.

Brief explanation:

• The believer who accepts Christ entrusts himself into His hands, surrenders to His care. When this is the case, then a person does not need anything, he has everything, for the Shepherd knows what His sheep need.
• Hot spot– abundance of grain (ears), food. You won't go hungry with this. In the Spiritual plan - the teaching of the Lord, His church, where the bread of eternal life is served.
• The water is calm– clean, settled, transparent, free of debris. This is an image of Baptism, when, through Water and the Holy Spirit, a person’s soul is cleansed and healed from ancestral sin.
• Without a Shepherd, the flock does not know where it is going. He turns them onto a safe path so that everyone is safe. The Lord is Truth. He who follows His paths approaches the Truth, will not go astray, will not fall into the abyss.
• "For His name's sake..."-David asks for enlightenment, because a Christian, with his untruth or righteousness, either discredits or glorifies Christ. Lord, raise me in such a way that Your Name will be sanctified in me.
• Death's shadow- pitch darkness, when you go without knowing where, fearing an attack from enemies. In the Spiritual understanding: the “rod” of the Shepherd is the Cross; "club" - Jesus Prayer. Whoever uses them will walk safely in the “darkness” both through this life and after death. He passes the ordeal, having a weapon against demonic claims.
• “Thou hast prepared...”- This is David’s prophecy about the Sacrament of the Eucharist. If we begin Communion with repentance, faith, humility, leaving behind grudges, then the enemy (demons) will not be able to approach us. Also mentioned: "oil"(of oil) – the Sacrament of Confirmation and Blessing of Unction; "my head"- a change of thoughts, a change leading to the Heavenly abodes. We become deified, becoming capable of understanding the secrets of Eternal Life.
• "And mercy..."- He who loves mankind, saves His sheep, looks after them, preserves them, so as to bring them all to His house, where they will abide forever.

Note: According to Arsenius of Cappadocia - the mentor of the Athonite elder Paisios, Psalm 22 is read by parents who are offended by their own children. The Lord admonishes the children, and they change their attitude towards loved ones and find mutual understanding.

Why should the laity read the psalms?

It is difficult to express the essence of the Psalms in simple words. Each line contains many images that are understandable to people of different levels of knowledge. The monks learn the Psalter by heart, use prayers constantly, and know what Great Power they contain. Lay people are advised to read regularly, as every day enriches the soul with something. Ancient verses:

• the wise will be made wise;
• faithful - blessed (happy);
• he who weeps will be rejoiced;
• the mourner will be healed of sadness;
• the weak will be strengthened;
• the rebellious will be calmed down;
• those who are angry will be softened;
• those at war will be reconciled.

Conclusion: Man is in the stage of improvement, developing, and the Psalms are some steps that help to go up the Mountain. Each time, reading the same lines, we catch ourselves in the fact that the familiar text has revealed a new facet of previously unknown knowledge. David's poems have no bottom. No matter how deeply we penetrate into the essence of words, we will not comprehend the whole secret. This is the property of the Holy Spirit - He has no boundaries.

Other Interpretations of Psalm 22

1. The Lord is my Shepherd; I won't need anything:
2. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters,
3. strengthens my soul, guides me on the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff - they calm me.
5. You prepared a table before me in the sight of my enemies; anointed my head with oil; my cup is overflowing.
6. Thus may [Thy] goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life, and I will abide in the house of the Lord many days.

Psalm 22 in Church Slavonic

1. The Lord shepherds me and will deprive me of nothing.
2. In a green place, there they settled me, on the calm water they raised me.
3. Convert my soul, guide me on the paths of righteousness, for Your name’s sake.
4. Even if I walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your club will comfort me.
5. Thou hast prepared a table before me to resist those who are cold, Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and Thy cup makes me drunken, like a mighty one.
6. And Thy mercy will marry me all the days of my life, and make me dwell in the house of the Lord for the length of days.