Monday 16th September 2024
A Different take on Psalm 23
We have reached the fourth and final verse of Addison’s hymn, “The Lord my pasture shall prepare”.
The fourth verse reads as follows:
“Though in the paths of death I tread,
With gloomy horrors overspread,
My steadfast heart shall fear no ill,
For thou, O Lord, art with me still.
Thy friendly staff shall give me aid,
And guide me through the dreadful shade”.
This verse leads me to share three reflections.
The first is that Addison does not hold back from acknowledging the fear and horror which can surround our experience of death. Yes, death can come gently and peacefully. But this is not always the case. And I think it is perfectly normal for human beings to be fearful of the process of dying, and what might lie beyond. Addison does not pretend that death is a pretty business: it is a path overspread with gloomy horrors. Is Addison exaggerating here, or is he simply saying it as it is? What do you think?
Given our fears of death and dying, it is only to be expected that we can feel anxious and afraid. What we need is the moral courage to face the inevitability of death. In Addison’s phrase, we need a steadfast heart. With a steadfast heart, we can face most if not all of the challenges of life. At times when we feel overwhelmed by challenges or difficulties, we can pray to God for the gift of a steadfast heart. I am convinced that this is one of the most precious of God’s gifts.
And a steadfast heart allows us to put the challenges of the present into perspective, and to look to the future with hope. A steadfast heart allows us to stop panicking, and to think about practical steps we can take to improve the situation – or at least to make it more tolerable. A steadfast heart helps us to remove the shackles of fear, and to see that God has not abandoned us: God is still with us, and He is ready to help and guide us through the paths of death to a place of peace and joy.
In Addison’s words,
“My steadfast heart shall fear no ill,
For thou, O Lord, art with me still:
Thy friendly staff shall give me aid,
And guide me through the dreadful shade.”
I think Addison’s reference to the paths of death can be taken either literally or figuratively. It might be that we are having to cope with a literal death- the death of a loved one, or our own fears over what will happen when we ourselves die. Or it might be that we are experiencing a situation which is a figurative death – the death of a cherished hope or dream, the break up of a relationship, the move away from a place or a home or a job which has given us security, friendship and a sense of purpose and belonging.
In any event, it is our common lot as human beings to tread the paths of death. Addison has the courage to remind us of this perhaps unpleasant truth. But he also has the courage to remind us that when we tread these paths, we do not do so alone. God is with us, and his friendly staff shall give us aid, And guide us through the dreadful shade.
We have reached the end of Addison’s hymn, and the current series of reflections. Let me finish with a prayer:
Dear Lord, when we are anxious and afraid, give us steadfast hearts; remind us that you are with us still, and lead us safely into pastures new.