Le Psaume 23: le bon Berger (1)

Jésus vit une grande foule; il fut ému de compassion envers eux, parce qu'ils étaient comme des brebis qui n'ont pas de berger. Marc 6. 34

Connaissez-vous ce psaume qui, à travers les siècles, a réconforté une multitude de croyants?

En voici le texte intégral.

Psaume de David:

“L'Éternel est mon berger: je ne manquerai de rien.

Il me fait reposer dans de verts pâturages, il me mène à des eaux paisibles.

Il restaure mon âme; il me conduit dans des sentiers de justice, à cause de son nom.

Même quand je marcherais par la vallée de l'ombre de la mort, je ne craindrai aucun mal; car tu es avec moi: ta houlette et ton bâton, ce sont eux qui me consolent (me rassurent).

Tu dresses devant moi une table, en la présence de mes ennemis; tu as oint ma tête d'huile, ma coupe est comble.

Oui, la bonté et la grâce me suivront tous les jours de ma vie, et mon habitation sera dans la maison de l'Éternel pour de longs jours.”

La Bible, Livre des Psaumes

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Less Than The Least

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant. Genesis 32:10

It is fitting for a great God to forgive great sinners.

Unlike those who think highly of themselves, Jacob knew that he had been ruined by sin (Gen. 32:10). He thought himself a man unworthy of God’s grace. He had cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright (ch.27), and his brother hated him for it. Now, years later, Jacob was going to face Esau again.

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies,” Jacob prayed, using a word for “least” that suggests the tiniest object. “Deliver me, I pray” (32:10-11).

How odd to see those phrases side by side: I am unworthy of Your mercies . . . . Deliver me! Yet Jacob could pray for mercy because his hope lay not in his own worth, but in God’s promise to look with favor on those who throw themselves at His feet. Humility and contrition are the keys that open the heart of God. Someone has said that the best disposition for praying is being stripped of everything. It is crying out of the depths. It comes from the soul that knows its deep depravity.

Such prayers are offered by those who are thoroughly convicted of their sin and shame, but, at the same time, are convinced of God’s grace that goes out to undeserving sinners. God hears best those who cry out: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Luke 18:13).

Lord, I am like Jacob, in need of Your mercy.

I have failed You, and I bow at Your feet today.

Thank You for being a merciful God, ready

and able to forgive and restore me.