Since this new war with Iran, I have found myself in prayer. While I pray all the time, I have to admit that it is often out of a sense of obligation as compared to a true sense of calling out in prayer. Many times over the last 12 days I have found myself reading Psalm 23.

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.

God makes me lie down in green pastures; God leads me to water in places of repose;

God renews my life; God guides me in right paths as befits God’s name.

Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness, I fear no harm, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.

You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;
my drink is abundant.

Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for many long years. (Psalm 23)

“The Lord is my Shepherd” appeals to many within the notion that God is looking out for us a Shepherd looking after their sheep. Though we might find ourselves in a terrible situation int the valley of darkness, God is there for us. We long for the comfort and security of God’s house. These are all themes that match our war on 8 fronts, but why is this introduced as a psalm of David?

Before answering this, we should go back to when we first meet David. When Samuel finds out that Saul will be stripped of his monarchy he also is informed that a son of Jesse will take Saul’s place. Samuel goes to Jesse to see a parade of seven sons, but none of them were meant to be the next king. There we read:

Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the boys you have?” He replied, “There is still the youngest; he is tending the flock.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send someone to bring him, for we will not sit down to eat until he gets here.” So they sent and brought him. He was a redhead, bright-eyed, and handsome. And the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.” ( Samuel I 16:11-12)

Samuel is excited, clearly this is the one. Despite his being overlooked and the youngest, David is meant to be the next king of Israel. In this context it makes sense that they sent for David right away. But can we imagine the feeling of David is feeling at this moment?

We jump right away to David being anointed as the next king of Israel. Can we pause for a moment? What was David feeling when he was called? David has no idea that his life is about to change. He is doing his job of tending to the flock and gets a urgent message to return to his father’s house.

Can you imagine David looking back at this moment years later? He has accomplished so much and faced so many challenges, but in the end all he wanted was that moment ofbeing called home. It is just like Citizen Kane who can have everything in the world, but in the end the only thing he wants is his Rosebud, the simple sign of his parents affection.

In a deep way this might speak to the power of Psalm 23. For David, like Citizen Kane, the deepest self-actualization is realization of a childhood memory of being wanted and returning home. Similarly, when we are feeling like our enemies are all around us, we seek the comfort, security, and intimacy of the embrace of our parents. It is easy to get lost in the complexity of life, especially during all of these crises, and overlook the fundamental need for simple and unconditional love.

*related post:

• Citizen Yosef: Living Out Your Dreams
• Leaning into Hope: Reflecting on the Bibas Boys at the Seder