JIM “PAPPY” MOORE: The Grace & Beauty of The 23rd Psalm
By Jim “Pappy” Moore
I grew up in a church where we read the Bible, where we studied it from an early age. My Dad was our preacher, so I spent the first 18 years of my life hearing him preach, and hearing him practice those sermons at home on Saturday and again on Sunday morning before we even left for services. He was a great speaker. He understood that you have an audience for thirty minutes, and you have to keep them engaged and tell them a story that has lessons for every day life, and for searching one’s soul.
Daddy had a gift which all who heard him would tell you. He inspired with his presentations, quoting the Bible extensively as needed to make his points. Whether from the Old Testament or the New Testament, the verses he pulled had a message, and he explained those messages and made them apply to your life today.
He died in 1971 at the age of 45, when I was barely 22 years of age. It’s true what they say about the good dying young, at least in his case.
Since he died I have read from other religions, and there are great wisdoms in a number of them. They do not speak to me as Christianity does, however, and I am a true adherent to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every time I read his words they have the mark of truth and wisdom in them. And the lessons go back beyond Jesus. A thousand years before he was born, there were books in the Old Testament which had wisdoms we can read today and apply to our lives.
One of my favorites is The 23rd Psalm. We learned it as children. Can you say it? Do you ever think about what it says to you in the 21st century? I favor The King James Version, as it was my Bible then and still is now.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
I still get chills reading it, saying it, praying it.
This was written by people familiar with the role of the shepherd in tending his sheep, in ushering them through life and its dangers, its good things and its bad things. We long for those green pastures, those still waters which we know to be safe. We are reassured by knowing our soul is restored by our commitment to God, and we appreciate all that He does to protect us and care for us. Goodness overflows in our lives. We follow Him, for his love, his righteousness, his protection, and his blessings.
When I want peace, I reach out to Him, to those words first written down nearly 3000 years ago by someone who never saw a car, or an airplane, or a television, or any of the things we take for granted daily. How powerful it is to know that someone sat down and wrote these words so long ago, and know that they keep us in touch with God just as much today, if not more. If you ever feel like you’re losing your way or losing your battle, read out loud the 23rd Psalm and know your God loves you.
Copyright 2025, Jim “Pappy” Moore. All rights reserved.
