Quiet Waters

Norah Summers September 29, 2026 4 2

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Psalm 23 (NIV-UK)

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 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.

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

The Bible is a Library and today we turn to a beautiful section. I last sang this Psalm at the recent funeral of a distant relative.

John was actually a librarian, very well read, and knowledgeable about music, but a very quiet and unassuming man. He had retired early to care devotedly for his wife, and when she had to go into a care home he visited her every day without fail for ten years until her death.

The restful picture of the green pastures and quiet waters seemed to be just right as we remembered this lovely man.

In many places now people are ‘rewilding’ – restoring the land to its natural state, letting the rivers take their course, planting native woods – whyever did anyone think it was a good idea to build houses on a flood plain?

Amidst the heatwaves, floods, landslides and disasters of our present world, we do well to consider how much has been worsened by our careless and selfish actions.

Green pastures and quiet waters have been provided for us to enjoy, to care for, to escape to, to thank God for.

My Library has grounds around it where we can walk in peaceful paths and restore our souls.

Prayer:

Loving God,

thank you for your beautiful world,

your guiding in right paths,

your comfort in the dark places and times,

the assurance of your everlasting goodness and mercy.