A Guided Imagery of Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is one of the best known passages of the Old Testament. You’ve probably heard it quoted before in sermons or songs: “The Lord is my Shepherd…”

The beautiful imagery in Psalm 23 describes the ‘Shepherd-King,’ who ultimately foreshadows the true king to come: Jesus. Throughout scripture, Jesus is portrayed as the Good Shepherd, who gives life and protection to his sheep (John 10:11, 10:14; Hebrews 13:10).  1 Peter 2:25 also calls Jesus the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

Psalm 23 has such a beautiful way of capturing weary hearts, and leading them towards deeper peace and rest.

“Millions of people have memorized this psalm, even those who have learned few other Scripture portions. Ministers have used it to comfort people who are going through severe personal trials, suffering illness, or dying. For some, the words of this psalm have been the last they have ever uttered in life.”

– James Montgomery Boice

Below is a guided imagery of Psalm 23 and a collect from the Book of Common Prayer.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
  He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
  he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Psalm 23, NIV

A Guided Imagery of Psalm 23

Begin by taking a few deep breaths… in through the nose… out through the mouth. Notice the way your body feels in the chair, on the floor, or whatever surface you are on. Take a moment to ground yourself in the moment you are in… in this body that is good and beautiful and full of life.

Start to picture yourself outside in a beautiful, wide open field. There’s green, soft grass everywhere… and wildflowers spring up and share their brilliant colors with you. You notice a bird or two flying about, singing their melodies with joy and gladness.

The sky is a soft blue, with fluffy clouds passing you by. You stare up at the sky and marvel at the wide open expanse that is there.

With each inhale, you breathe in clean, pure oxygen that refreshes and cleanses your whole body. With each exhale, you sink deeper and deeper into the soft grass beneath you. The ground holds and envelops you… you are one with the earth.

Take a moment to explore this place and the sensations here.

After awhile, you get up and begin to wander. You start walking in a direction that takes you away from this beautiful place. Perhaps you’re already noticing your mind starting to wander and drift. Maybe you drift into thoughts of planning… or into thoughts of worry and anxiety… thoughts of regret or failure…

Take a moment to notice where your mind goes when it’s left on its own. What do you worry about? What are you scared of? What is the thing you fear the most?

Take a moment to notice where this takes you.

As you wander into these difficult places… these dark holes of the mind… you hear a voice calling you by name… This voice is gentle and kind… direct, but not forceful.

“Where are you?” he asks…

You notice here, the voice of your Shephard king, calling you to himself.

Perhaps you waver for a moment, wanting your own way, wanting your own control… holding on to what you think you really need… But you realize here, that the places you may venture into do not give you the peace and protection you truly desire.

So here, you release the burdens and worries you carry… you turn away from the darkness and look towards the Light… and you allow yourself to be led and guided by your faithful Shepherd. He gently leads you back, holding your hand… or even carries you… back into the place where there is green, beautiful grass and warm sun.

And from here, he leads you to a still pool of clear, crisp water. He kneels down and cups some of this water into his hands, bringing it up for you to drink. He invites you into his living water that gives true life and peace.

You taste, and your thirst is satisfied here.

In the presence of your Shepherd, you are safe, seen, soothed, and secure.

There may be times when you venture into hard places… into the darkest valleys… and when this happens, when life feels scary and confusing and unsafe… your Shepherd king is still with you. His rod and his staff are there to comfort you. He holds you with his love, and there is nothing you can do to escape his love.

No matter what happens in this life, his goodness and his love will follow you, and you will dwell with him and all his glory in eternity.

So lie down, rest, drink from his hand, and surrender to his protection and peace.

“Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

A collect for trustfulness in times of worry and anxiety, The Book of Common Prayer