BESIDE STILL WATERS – PSALM 23 – Part 7
Junto a aguas de reposo. – Salmos 23 – Parte 7
By Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Only a slight ripple disturbs the mirror-like surface of this serene pond. [Photographer: Pamala Ramsey, courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
Psalm 23:2 "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."(New King James Version)
Salmos 23:2 "En lugares de delicados pastos me hará descansar; Junto a aguas de reposo me pastoreará." (Reina-Valera 1960)
We had already buckled our seat belts and stowed our bags under seats when the flight attendant began the usual drone of safety announcements.
However, she managed to get our attention when she noted, "In the event that we should encounter a body of water large enough on which to land an airplane between Phoenix and Albuquerque, your seat cushion may be used as a floatation device."
The laughter of our fellow passengers indicated that everyone had heard the announcement. At the same time, the chuckles also confirmed that all understood the scarcity of water in the southwestern portion of the United States.
At the present writing, our region has been in a drought for most of the last fifteen years. Accordingly, the reference to water in the last portion of Psalm 23:2 has an entirely different meaning for us in the southwestern United States than it might for those that dwell in more verdant areas.
Although Psalm 23:2 refers to still water, we would gratefully receive water in any form – still, rapid, or otherwise. However, we know from experience that when rain falls in a torrent – as it often does in the high desert - the ground is so dry that it cannot accept a large volume of water in a short period of time. In cities, the drains and the arroyos (creeks as well as paved drainage ditches) cannot handle a deluge of water. Should that occur, the consequence is flooding.
That happened one evening in July 1988 when, in addition to rain falling from the sky, water came down from the mountains so fast that the waves engulfed our mailbox that stood out near the curb. In the process, the water scoured out a cavity three feet deep under our sidewalk. Currents from that same storm swept away a small car with a 16-year-old girl in it so that she died that evening.
The rapid movement and loud noise of rushing water terrifies sheep. [Photographer: Ali Haider, courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
The terror of rushing water is real for sheep as well. They are fearful of it. Some flock owners say that it is the noise from fast-moving currents that frighten them. However, it may be a combination of the rapid movement along with the noise that panics them.
Sheep require abundant clean water to assist in digestion. Since they are wearing wool coats all the time, fresh, cool water keeps them hydrated and prevents them from becoming overheated. However, they are particular about the quality of the water that they drink. Some experts believe that sheep can smell water. Therefore, sheep tend to avoid water that contains algae or scum. The problem, of course, is that when they find a favorable body of water, they try to graze near it so frequently that the grass around it has difficulty growing back. In such a situation, erosion can happen.
It is the job of the shepherd to locate a source of clean, cool, accessible water that will not frighten the sheep. At the same time, he must position the sheep so that their grazing habits will not cause erosion.
Dew does not occur in areas where humidity is low. [Photographer: AD, courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
Another source of water is morning dew. Unfortunately, dew only occurs when the humidity is high. However, sheep ranching takes place in arid and semiarid climates as well as humid ones. Therefore, dew is not a dependable source of water where humidity tends to be low.
Consequently, sheep ranchers must often give their sheep water from a well. In Genesis 29, we see an example of shepherds providing water from a well for their sheep. Although the full account in Genesis 27:1 through 29:30 concerns Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, and his journey to find a bride among his mother's relatives, one portion of that story concerns supplying sheep with water from a community well.
When Jacob arrived in Paddan Aram, he encountered a well with three flocks of sheep lying around it. A large stone covered the mouth of the well in order to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water and to keep leaves and other debris from falling into it. Therefore, the shepherds were waiting until all the flocks had arrived before they removed the stone.
After Jacob began chatting with the shepherds, it wasn't long before his lovely cousin, Rachel, arrived with her family's flocks. Her beauty inspired Jacob to remove the stone from the mouth of the well and to water all of Rachel's sheep for her! Although we don't know how many sheep she had, we know from later accounts that her father kept large flocks. Therefore, it must have taken quite a while for Jacob to draw the water for all of them. Rachel must have been impressed because Jacob took advantage of the opportunity to kiss her! Before long, he had persuaded her to marry him!
Normally, the provision of water for sheep isn't as life changing as it was for Jacob and Rachel. For David, the author of this Psalm, water from a non-threatening source was an assurance of peace as well as freedom from worry.
God gave an assurance of that through the prophet, Isaiah. Speaking of all that believe on Him, Isaiah 49:10 declares, "They shall neither hunger nor thirst, Neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has mercy on them will lead them, Even by the springs of water He will guide them." (New King James Version)
That speaks to us, even today! We don't have to worry about our sources of food or water. We don't have to be frightened by the situations that threaten our safety or well-being because He will guide us through our difficulties.
Nor do we have to worry about flying over the desert. God is in such complete control that if we ever require a body of water large enough to land an airplane on, we can be certain that He will provide it!
Bible Verses for This Posting
Psalm 23:2 "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters (New King James Version)
Salmos 23:2 "En lugares de delicados pastos me hará descansar; Junto a aguas de reposo me pastoreará." (Reina–Valera 1960)
Isaiah 49:10 "They shall neither hunger nor thirst, Neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has mercy on them will lead them, Even by the springs of water He will guide them." (New King James Version)
Isaías 49:10 "No tendrán hambre ni sed, ni el calor ni el sol los afligirá; porque el que tiene de ellos misericordia los guiará, y los conducirá a manantiales de aguas." (Reina–Valera 1960)
Even by springs of water He will guide us. [Photographer: Jon Sullivan, courtesy of Public-Domain-Photos.com.]
Psalm 23 – 1) The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. 2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.3) He restores my soul; He leads 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 You arewith me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs 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 Forever." (New King James Version)
Salmos 23 – 1) Jehová es mi pastor; nada me faltará. 2) En lugares de delicados pastos me hará descansar; Junto a aguas de reposo me pastoreará. 3) Confortará mi alma; Me guiará por sendas de justicia por amor de su nombre. 4) Aunque ande en valle de sombra de muerte, No temeré mal alguno, porque tú estarás conmigo; Tu vara y tu cayado me infundirán aliento. 5) Aderezas mesa delante de mí en presencia de mis angustiadores; Unges mi cabeza con aceite; mi copa está rebosando. 6) Ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán todos los días de mi vida, Y en la casa de Jehová moraré por largos días." (Reina–Valera 1960)
