ByRita Bennett

For the Beacon

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul. This phrase is the one we will look at today.

What does David mean in his 23rd Psalm when he says, God restores my soul?

Soul is nehfesh in Hebrew. It refers to the psychological part of a human being: the intellect, will, emotions, and subconscious. This is in contrast to the holiest part of man that is his spirit or ruach (Hebrew) when connected to God at salvation. (l Corinthians 6:17 KJV)

Why did David need restoration? Rabbis Radak and Hirsch point us to Davids words in Psalm 26, Examine me, Lord, and test me; scrutinize my intellect and my heart (vs. 3,4, Tehillim text p.63). God tested King Davids unlawful desire for Bath-Sheba, and David failed.

David then regretted his presumptuous request and said: You tested me You found [me] not [perfect]; my scheming will not again pass my lips. (Tehillim commentary Psalms 17:3, p.34)

We are not immune

Why do Gods people in this 21st century continue to need restoration? The Apostle Paul answers this, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) The Apostle John says, If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

One may ask, What is sin?

In our example, King Davids three sins were:

Adultery with Bath-Sheba,

Murder of her husband by putting him in the front lines on the battlefield, and

Coveting his neighbors wife.

These were breaking the seventh, sixth, and tenth Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-17)

The Prophet Isaiah describes sin this way: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him [Jesus Christ] the iniquity of us all. (53:6).

Jesus died for our sins and in our place. When we confess, repent, and receive Him, the sting has been taken out of our death. We will never die spiritually.

Restoration

If we should back-slide as King David did, we will need soul restoration.

Restoration defined:

1. to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish: to restore order.

2. to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.

3. to give back; make return or restitution of (anything taken away or lost). (www.Dictionary.com)

How are our souls restored?

By studying and applying the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20).

By studying the Bible all 66 books (Ps.19:7).

By daily devotions like Forward Day By Day or online studies.

By repenting when you know youve sinned (1 John 1:9).

By practicing the Omnipresence of God (Psalm 139).

By receiving Soul Healing Prayer (www.EmotionallyFree.org).

By receiving Holy Communion as Jesus commanded (Luke 22:19,20).

By studying and praying The Lords Prayer - forgiving (Matthew 6:6-13).

By working with a faith based, qualified counselor.

By helping those less fortunate than you (Matthew 25:40).

How could God say of David, The LORD has sought Him a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be captain over His people. (I Samuel 13:14b)

The reason is that King David was living a righteous life until his great temptation as described. When Nathan the prophet challenged Davids behavior, he truly repented from his sins and thereafter walked in Gods ways. (2 Samuel 12:1-23, Psalm 25:1-13)

I visited Jerusalem in 1996 and found that King Davids tomb, located on Mount Zion, is honored to this day! When God forgives, it is permanent.

How we live our life at its ending is even more important than at its beginning. Selah Think on these things.

(Join me for the 5th Psalm 23 Series next time.)