How many poems do you know by heart? I can name three, plus a handful of quotes from the psalms, memorized for moments of despair or awe.
Today’s chapter is a famous outlier: For many of us it is literally memorable, as it is by far one of the most popular biblical chapters in the western world.
That’s probably the case not just because of what the beautiful and intriguing words are about but because it has been put to music by multiple composers over time.
For me, the singing of this psalm - with a few specifically loved tunes - is closely associated with one of its central themes -- the nourishment we get when seated around a table, gathered for a feast with our family and friends.
From an early age, this was one of my family’s shabbat songs, especially during the ‘Third Meal’ - the tea-time gathering, mostly with leftovers, and mellow, quiet songs, that takes us from Saturday’s afternoon’s dusk into the sabbath’s sunset ending.
Psalm 23 is part of this classical repertoire, both melancholy and hopeful, an ode to overcoming obstacles, and somehow, always, focusing on hope.
How did this psalm become so popular - particularly at funerals and times of distress?
Prof. Rabbi Stephen A. Geller suggests a few reasons:
“First, it is short, and therefore easily memorized. Second, it is a “psalm of trust,” a relatively rare genre in the book of Psalms; this psalm contains no complaints or petitions to God but rather consists entirely of statements of faith and confidence in divine protection.
Third, the psalm combines comforting themes in an artful and effective way.”
It begins with a famous opening line -- “God is my shepherd’ - a pastoral image of protection that leads us through life’s cycles and spirals, valleys and shadows, towards the table that awaits us, laid out for feasts and celebrations, sabbaths and holidays, even for times of grief and loss.
תַּעֲרֹ֬ךְ לְפָנַ֨י ׀ שֻׁלְחָ֗ן נֶ֥גֶד צֹרְרָ֑י דִּשַּׁ֥נְתָּ בַשֶּׁ֥מֶן רֹ֝אשִׁ֗י כּוֹסִ֥י רְוָיָֽה׃
“You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My drink is abundant.”
Ps 23:5
The poet Marilyn Nelson chose to translate this line as
“You spread out a feast before me with those who were my enemies.”
Stephen Mitchell’s version suggests:
“You spread a full table before me, Even in times of great pain; You feast me with your abundance, And honor me like a king, Anointing my head with sweet oil, Filling my cup to the brim.”
As the various translations focus on different aspects of this vision, what seems striking is the symbol of the table as the ideal set and setting for wellbeing: Comfort food and reconciliation, a cup full of just enough, a blessing of abundance.
Perhaps most important is the sense of togetherness - of belonging. The table is the symbol of feeling and being at home. Everybody deserves a seat at the table, every one of us longs to belong.
So perhaps this is why this psalm is so central to our traditions. Deep within, despite so many disagreements and divides, life’s dips and failures, all we want is to be together, at the table, honored, fed, loved and seen.
All we crave is the comforting notion that somewhere, always, there is room at the table, and a place for us, and a cup full with just enough, and a song to sooth our soul. We need so badly.
Image: The Shabbat Table: A protest display in Tel Aviv to bring back the hostages. April 2024
TODAY:
WHAT’S THE MOST POPULAR PSALM OF ALL?
Join me today for our monthly Zoom conversation Below the Bible Belt - and find out.
The 150 chapters of the Psalms are not just poetry but also prayer, often used at bedsides and at funerals, at births or weddings and each time we pause to honor life. Of all the psalms - somehow, there is one that has risen to to the rank of being the most popular and famous. Can you guess which one?
We’ll be linking the popular psalm from our oldest book with today’s heartbreaking front-page news as we keep finding ways to lift up our hearts and find comfort in our ancient poetry.
Whether you are new to this journey or have been on it for a while - please join us on May 9th 2024, 5pm ET and please bring your questions, comments, responses and reflections on the PSLAMS so far.
Here’s the link to the next Below the Bible Belt Zoom Live Conversation:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88915392821
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