It took me 30 years, the loss of my sister (1995), and a Max Lucado book gifted to me (from Linda Neuhauser when April died) to fall in love with the 23rd Psalm. I know. Everyone else loves it. I found it sad and associated with funerals as a child.
The book was "Traveling Light (The Burden You Were Never Meant To Carry). I highly recommend it.
Today, I learned a little more about Psalm 23:6. Blueletterbible.org gives the average person access to a better understanding of the original Hebrew and Greek languages of the Bible. It is always enlightening to dig a little deeper.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." -Psalm 23:6
The Hebrew word really does mean much more than "follow." The word "radaph" implies chasing or pursuing. Being chased and pursued is usually stressful, but in this passage it is "surely goodness and mercy" pursuing us. Good things not bad.
Most likely King David wrote this psalm when he was king. He had come face to face with predators while shepherding his sheep. He was pursued by King Saul who wanted him dead. He knew the taste of battles and the brokenness of sin and disobedience. God pursued him with goodness and mercy. The first child with Bathsheba died breaking his heart. Another child of that union was King Solomon. Surely, goodness and mercy did more than follow David, it pursued him.
What an image that creates! He chases us with good things but we have our own agendas. He pours out forgiveness and mercy when we repent. He restores our brokenness. We are never truly homeless, because we are just passing through this world.
Today, I am grateful for "radaph."
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