Prelude To Psalm 23

Prelude to Psalm 23

Nothing could have been more pleasing to me
Than walking on this bed of soft green grass
Until feeling the gentle slope beneath my feet
And seeing the blue hue of the sky above
Thinking that if I didn’t ease forward just one step more before turning round
And didn’t keep my eyes closed and my breath held in
That the moment would somehow be made less perfect
Than I wanted it to be.
It wasn't the view but the sight 
Of my young daughter’s face that made me wonder
Until feeling the distance between us grow
While losing my balance and falling backwards. 
It was then that I saw You Lord reaching towards me.
The tug on my sleeve was just enough to sway my balance forward. 
Your look of concern was more than enough to let me know that you cared about Me more than anyone I’d ever met because...
(Psalm 23) The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I 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 goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

by Jean McLoughlin

A Note from the Author
This poem was written about a dream I had one night.
Perhaps it's not obvious in the poem but in my dream I was walking up a hill which, unbeknownst to me, had a steep ravine cut into it.
The moment I realised that I was about to fall to my death my life passed before my eyes.
My biggest concern was for my baby daughter, who had followed me. 
I didn't want to leave her on her own and knew that she would most certainly fall over the edge too.
I can still see the rocks below and the stones built into the edge of the cliff.
When I looked into my Savior's face I could see more love and understanding than there had been in any of my previous relationships.
This was the moment I knew that He was the one for me and I awoke with this feeling and a deeper understanding of Psalm 23.
Praise the Lord!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Daniel Avatar
December 19, 2016 at 5:19 AM
This is great! when we have a personal relationship with Lord Jesus Christ, every experience brings us closer to Him!! Great prelude, Jean:)
Cronin Avatar
January 26, 2016 at 4:16 PM
A touching and beautiful write. Well done!
Mcloughlin Avatar
January 27, 2016 at 4:51 AM
Thank you Jeannie, I'm just a beginner at writing poetry, sometimes it just seems to come like it did in this one! Blessings. From Jean
Bickerstaffe Avatar
January 16, 2016 at 2:47 PM
So well done! to preface Palm 23 with your own personal reflections is a masterstroke!! '...the tug on my sleeve was just enough,' '...seeing the blue hue of the sky above,' simply lovely!! Best wishes, Keith
A   Avatar
January 4, 2016 at 11:13 PM
JEAN, WELCOME to poetry soup. I hope you have fun with this wonderful community. You'll find many friendly poets who are ready to support and give positive feedback. I will enjoy following you and your poetry :) We are Lucky To Have you. Enjoy Poetry Soup:) Your New Poet Friend @-> LINDA <-@
Mcloughlin Avatar
January 5, 2016 at 4:54 AM
Hi Linda, thank you so much for the welcome and support, it helps so much! I'm loving Poetry Soup, I look forward to learning more from wonderful poets like yourself and making good friends along the way, everyone's been so kind to me! Love from your new friend in poetry, Jean
Sankey- Lewis Avatar
January 4, 2016 at 5:53 AM
Wonderful prelude paved as smooth as psalm 23. Blessings.
Mcloughlin Avatar
January 4, 2016 at 10:24 AM
Such a lovely message, love it! Thank you Iris. Love from Jean
Johnson Avatar
January 2, 2016 at 2:42 PM
Lovely poem. Welcome again our corner. I expect to read more from you. Love, Joyce
Mcloughlin Avatar
January 2, 2016 at 3:05 PM
Thank you again Joyce. I really hope to keep writing. All my love, Jean
A  Avatar
December 31, 2015 at 8:29 PM
Hi Jean, Welcome to Poetry Soup. It will be a delight to read and become familiar with your poems in the future. As for now, I will greet you with the same smile others passed when I first joined the soup. Wishing you and your poetry the best. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here STARTING with me- SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you wish. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND" Hugs* SKAT
Mcloughlin Avatar
January 1, 2016 at 4:03 AM
Thank you so much SKAT, it's wonderful to meet such amazing, more experienced and kindhearted poets like yourself! I would be honoured and delighted to have you as my friend!! I live in Ireland and write Catholic Poetry but have only written a few pieces so far. Hope 2016 is a year full of writing for us both! Hugs* Jean
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace