Loosely based on Psalm 23, one of my favorite poetic passages in Scripture, this hymn soothes my soul.
When I was very young in my atheist home, I had a small, orange pocket Bible with wispy pages tucked away in my bedroom. The Gideons were outside my school handing them out one day, and I hesitantly accepted one as I boarded the school bus. I remember flipping through it with great interest in the evenings when I was alone in my bed.
I must admit, looking at most of the Scriptures was as if I were reading a foreign language. I understood so very little and nothing in particular moved my heart.
Except for Psalm 23.
For nights I would pore over the psalm, wanting so very much to know if the Shepherd described therein actually existed...and if He would indeed "restoreth my soul."
It would take almost ten years until I finally did embrace His existence, His love, and experienced that sweet restoration. It would take six years after that until I was led into the fullness of what He desired for me (communion with the visible Catholic Church). But those quiet moments in my bedroom at night with Psalm 23 reassure me that He has never not been in my life and He has never not loved me.
He has always tried to make Himself known to my poor little soul. I have always been His precious, singularly unique, and uniquely loved creation.
And that is why I love this hymn. Because it reminds me of God, and His love that just refuses to go away.
oh my goodness. i absolutely love this song. i insisted it be sung at both my grandparents' funerals this year.
ReplyDeleteI love the 23rd Psalm!! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Hungry Howie's is a chain I believe. I know there are here in Mobile,but not sure where else they are.
I love this song too!! What a flashback. I believe it was played at my First Communion mass. Of course, this is the first time I've ever listened to the words. :) It's more beautiful than I knew as an eight year-old.
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