The Twenty-Third Psalm is a beloved psalm of King David that describes the ways that the hesed of the LORD endures forever (Psalm 136)—the ways that the hesed of the LORD blesses me forever (Genesis 12:1-3).

The word hesed in Hebrew is translated a number of ways in English:

     —Faithfulness. (Psalm 117:2 NIV).

     —Love. (Psalm 136 NIV).

     —Mercy. (Psalm 136 KJV).

     —Steadfast love. (Psalm 136 ESV; Exodus 34:6-7).

     —Lovingkindness. (Psalm 136 NASB).

     —Kindness. (Micah 6:8).

Since no one English word captures the richness of the Hebrew word hesed, I will use the word hesed in this blog.

In the Twenty-Third Psalm, David describes the hesed of the LORD by describing the ways that the LORD is a good shepherd who cares for his sheep.

The LORD is faithful. I do not lack anything.

The LORD loves me. I rest in green pastures. I walk beside still waters.

The LORD is merciful. He restores my soul.

The LORD’s love is steadfast. He guides me along the right paths. Even when I walk through valleys in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.  His rod and his staff comfort me. He even prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.

The LORD’s love is kind. He anoints my head with oil. My cup runneth over. His goodness, love and mercy—his hesed—will follow me all the days of my life.

His hesed will endure forever. (Psalm 136).

His hesed will bless me forever. (Genesis 12:1-3).

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

READ MORE

For more of my thoughts about the hesed of the LORD God, please read my blogs “The Hesed of the LORD Endures Forever”, “Hesed Saves and Nurtures Baby Moses”, “Hesed Saves Israel—Passover”, “Hesed Nurtures Israel—From the Red Sea to Mount Sinai”, “Hesed Nurtures Israel—Mount Sinai”, and “Hesed Establishes the Work of Moses’s Hands—Mount Nebo”.

For more of my thoughts about David, please read the “Prologue” and “PART ONE: Healing Personal Promised Lands” in my book Healing the Promised Land, at pages 1-194. Psalm 23 is discussed at pages 101-102.