KJV Psalm 23:4 “For Thou art with me”

NASB Psalm 23:4 “For You are with me”

Countless multitudes have found comfort, courage, and hope in the words of the Psalmist from the Shepherd Psalm of David. Whether we understand it to mean those facing an imminent homecall or those who have experienced the homecall of a loved one, there is room in this expression for everyone to experience the nearness of the Shepherd.

It has been linked with the two who walked the Emmaus road, unaware that He was with them. For them, the valley was deep and dark, but He was with them. And He knew how to comfort them. It could also be applied to Stephen as the stones rained down upon him. He saw the Son of Man ready to receive him. He was with him amidst the shower of rocks as they pummeled his body. His presence is a reality whether perceived as with Stephen or unappreciated at first as with the two on the Emmaus road. He is faithful!

But we need to go back a little to fully grasp the wonder of this truth. It is not very far that we need to go. It is only one Psalm. In Psalm 22, we have a great contrast presented. “Why hast Thou forsaken Me? Why— so far?” The plaintive cry of the Saviour on the cross reveals what would have been unimaginable to even the keenest of spiritual minds: that upon the cross, the Savior was forsaken. Such is the character of sin, and such is the holiness of God, that the full propitiation for sin demanded that the sin-bearer be cut off from the presence and the consequent enjoyment of fellowship with God.

Please place these truths side-by-side. He was forsaken, that He might never forsake us! As seen with the two walking the dark valley in Luke 24, such is our dullness that many times we do not perceive His presence or His absence. But to the sensitive and pure spirit of the Lord Jesus, even a moment’s interruption in the enjoyment of an eternal fellowship must have been a grief beyond human description. Then, to have it compounded for those six hours on the tree, each moment being an immeasurable ocean of grief to His soul.

"None of the ransom ever knew how deep were the waters crossed."

But our assurance of “Thou art with me” does not limit itself to the events of this life, as wonderful as that is. There is an eternal dimension to it. Just as there is the potential for a personal and intimate fellowship with the Shepherd now, so there will be the enjoyment of such a personal and intimate fellowship eternally. Not then merely a potential enjoyment — but a fellowship in all its reality.

Please do not press me to explain how the billions in Heaven will each know personal intimacy of fellowship with the Shepherd. Still, it must be, for Heaven will be greater than anything we have known on earth, and Heaven will exceed any joy we have known on earth.

Consider:

Can you find other contrasts between Psalms 22 and 23?