When reading Psalm 22. Reading Psalms in various life situations. Psalm of David: text in Russian

22 :1 Psalm of David, relevant for all believers:
Psalm of David. The Lord is my Shepherd; I won't need anything
Those who have the God of Israel - Jehovah - Shepherd, will not need anything. In what sense should we expect deliverance from all needs in this age if no believer can escape hardship?
Jehovah is the Shepherd, He leads His "sheep", that is, gives them guidance. Knowledge of His laws and principles gives understanding of how to act. In each difficult situation one can find the principles that apply to a particular situation, consider them all and find which one should be applied in a given situation. If a believer adheres to the principles of God in solving his problems and tries not to sin, God he will certainly support him, therefore, the believer will always have everything necessary for life and service to Him (he will not need anything, 1 Corinthians 10:13)

22 :2 He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me to still waters,
The shepherd of David - the God of Israel - made sure that His sheep could fall on quality pastures and waterholes. Here is shown a prototype of paradise life - a spiritual paradise in which all the servants of God can stay, thanks to some factors:
1) God provides an abundance of spiritual food by providing His word and His guidance;
2) God helps fellow believers to encourage each other through upbuilding fellowship;
3) God gives believers the joy of serving Him;
4) God provides believers with quality help through the elders - those in God's people who are entrusted with the function of teaching His people and organizing a wholesome life.
This spiritual "paradise" could be felt both in antiquity, in the time of the V.Z., and in the N.Z. Christians can feel it: God organizes the society of His people in such a way that order in worshiping Him is ensured in it, and that everyone can show love to one another (Heb. 10:24,25).

22 :3 strengthens my soul, guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.
God does not just care that His sheep walk in righteous ways: It is very important for Himself that everyone understands the benefits of living under His leadership and can appreciate the life He organized.
How does He strengthen and guide us on the path of righteousness for His name's sake?
If we obey Him, then for the sake of His name He gives us help so that we can endure difficulties and not sin(1 Corinthians 10:13) . The faithfulness of believers in difficult circumstances glorifies Him.

22 :4 If I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, because You are with me; Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me.
The path of God's sheep to His pastures can also lie through a lot of problems (valleys of the shadow of death) . However, it is not scary for the sheep of God to walk a few “kilometers” of the dark “tunnel” in order to come out into the light: confidence in the chosen direction of the path and the support of the Creator will help them endure the difficulties of the darkness of any life “tunnel”: God helps believers preserve spirituality and joy in any circumstances (Heb. 11 ch.)

22 :5,6 You have prepared a table before me in the sight of my enemies; anointed my head with oil; my cup is overflowing.
6 So, may goodness and mercy accompany me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for many days.
God will always be with us if we are with him - David assures all believers of this. For example, he knows about the sad fate of all his enemies and the enemies of the God of Israel: God will certainly restore justice. Understanding this fills David's heart with joy, because God paid attention to him and favors him. David is happy because he has the opportunity to be in the House of his God all the days of his life. And he has no other way in life, and no desire to go in another way. Every believer experiences the same feelings, reflecting on how kind, just and merciful the Creator is.

The psalm could have been written on the same occasion as Psalm IV, i.e. during the flight from Absalom from Jerusalem, when Sovi, Machir and Verzelli, in view of the troops of Absalom, brought food for David and his companions (see Ps. 22_5 st., cf. . ). There is an indirect hint here that David feels some guilt before the Lord (Ps.22_3). And we pointed out that in most of the psalms originating from the time of the persecutions of Absalom, either directly or indirectly, David expresses the consciousness of his guilt before God.

The Lord is my shepherd, resting me and protecting me even in the valley of death (1-4). He prepared a meal for me before my enemies, showed mercy, which may protect me all the days of my life (5–6).

. The Lord is my Shepherd; I won't need anything

"The Lord is my shepherd"- the main idea of ​​the psalm, disclosed in detail in all its content. As a shepherd, the Lord guards and feeds David.

. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me to still waters,

"Green pastures and" - meadows overgrown with rich grass, to which shepherds drive out their flocks. always flowing and delivering water.

. strengthens my soul, guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.

"Supports the Soul"- with his care for David, the Lord strengthens him, "my soul" - Hebraism - "me". - "Guides me to the paths of truth"- various facts from life or revelations of his will through the prophets indicates, in case of deviations, true path life. So, for example, it was after the crime with Bathsheba, which was denounced by the prophet Nathan. - "For the sake of His name"- an expression often repeated in the psalms and in general in the Bible. It means that the Lord, who is holy and has no lack in himself, also requires moral purity from his slaves - people, which is why "directs ... to the paths of truth" so that man, as a servant and son of God, does not humiliate his Lord and Father God with his unworthiness.

. If I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, because You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

"Valleys in the shadow of death" - a valley full of dangers to life from possible attacks of enemies. This is the valley where he was in given time, full of dangers from the proximity of enemies. David believes that the Lord will save him from mortal dangers. - "Wand and Your Staff"- tools that shepherds use to protect their flocks from predatory animals. The Lord protects me with his strength, like a shepherd of sheep with a staff.

. You have prepared a table before me in the sight of my enemies; anointed my head with oil; my cup is overflowing.

"I anointed my head with oil", thanks to the help sent, I feel a joyful mood, the outward sign of which in the East was the anointing of the head with oil.

It is sometimes called a psalm of consolation. Psalm 22, like others, is part of the Psalter, and that in turn is included in the Old (Old) Testament.

Interestingly, this ancient text is not only revered by Christians - it is also used by Jews during worship (traditionally, it is read during the Sabbath afternoon meal, and the Hasidim and Sefarids sing the psalm even in the evening).

With regard to Church Slavonic spiritual practice, the priest reads a psalm in preparation for communion.

Everyone knows that in Christianity God is often depicted as a shepherd (shepherd), and the faithful - as a flock. For example, Christ often said that "the Lord is the good shepherd." But who used this comparison for the first time? King (1005-965 BC), and just in the Psalter!

The history of this text

Historians who have studied this period of David's life say that the great Jewish king wrote these words during a difficult period in his own life. He, undergoing persecution from his own son Absalom, encroaching on the throne, was exhausted in the desert from thirst and hunger. At that moment, three strangers approached him (their names were Verzelly, Makhir and Sovi) and offered their help.

After he was fed and drunk by these kind people, he thought about the kindness of God, who did not leave him at a difficult moment, and thanked Him with the beautiful words of the psalm-prayer.

By the way, it is known that King David himself was a shepherd in his youth (being not a prince, but the son of a simple man), so the topic of caring for sheep is very close to him.

What does the psalm say?

There are many interpretations of this psalm. The interpretation of such texts is carried out by special people - theologians. The fact is that even if at first glance it may seem to you that everything is obvious, part of the true meaning that is laid down in a particular text when writing may be lost in translation, and the other part may be hidden between the lines (there are places that are easily understood by people , at the time of which this or that text was written, and completely incomprehensible today).

Here are the most popular interpretations:

• If a person trusts the Lord, He will protect him, protect him and never leave him in trouble.
• People often do not notice that God has already given them everything they need for happiness, and they begin to grumble. True believers, after reading this prayer, can look back - and understand that they are already in "evil pastures."
• There is also death in the text. This place reminds Christians: do not be afraid of her, because even in the next world He will be there.
• The Monk of Cappadocia recommends reading this text to parents whose children treat them without due respect. Ancient words will help people strengthen their souls, preventing anger and resentment in them (you remember, during what spiritual unrest the king wrote this psalm).

Places that may be incomprehensible to a modern Christian:

• “Meal in the mind of enemies”: do not forget that the text was written by the ruler, who constantly fought, and among those close to him had many enemies. This line says that when the enemies go against David, the Lord will help to resist them.
• “I anointed my head with oil”: in the East, such a ritual (oiling the head with oil) was considered a sign of happiness, joy.
• “The cup is full”: the blessings that the Lord gives are bestowed in full.

Is it possible to read a psalm as a prayer?

Yes, and in this regard, there are even certain superstitions among some believers. For example, someone seriously believes that if you read Psalm 22 exactly 40 times in a row, this will help cure serious disease, earn money, solve some pressing problems.

But do not be like the gullible old ladies on the bench. Any priest will say: superstition (even those associated with prayers and religion) is a deviation from the true faith. And in this case prayer "according to the counter" and does resemble attempts at witchcraft.

So: you can pray with the help of this psalm, but not according to some scheme or automatically, but sincerely, the way you pronounce other appeals to the Lord.

Use of Psalm 22 in cinema

Since this Christian text is very popular, many screenwriters put the twenty-second psalm into the mouths of their heroes, who are forced to endure certain hardships. For example, this text can be heard in many films. Some of them:

• "The Book of Eli". This film is a parable about the importance of religion in human life, and the Bible takes center stage in it. Although the shooting style is far from spiritual - post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk.
• "Stay alive" or "Lost". Prayer words sounded in different series. Still, because the film was about the difficult survival of the victims of a disaster on a deserted island. Who else, if not the Lord, can you trust in such a situation!
• "David (Bible Tales)" 1997. This film is also known as "The Ideal Ruler". The biblical king is shown here majestic, wise and very pious.

Moreover: this ancient prayer can sometimes be seen in computer game and various books.

Also, these words were repeatedly set to music. And not only by modern believers who prefer to pray to the Lord with the help of songs. At one time, the words of the psalm inspired Dvořák, Leonard Bernstein, and even Franz Schubert.

And what other psalms is known for the legendary Jewish king David? What is the history of their writing? You will learn about it from this video. Besides, short documentary tells about the life of this ruler, dearly loved by his people.

Fortune telling today with the help of the Tarot "Card of the Day" layout!

For correct divination: focus on the subconscious and do not think about anything for at least 1-2 minutes.

When you're ready, draw a card:

In the 9th-10th centuries BC, the famous prophet David wrote the famous "Psalter" - prayerful and reverent hymns describing the history of the Kingdom of God, an abridged version of the Holy Scriptures.

The Psalter consists of Psalms - instructions to believers on the true path, contributing to the softening of their souls, calling for unity. No wonder Jesus Christ himself sang psalms at his last supper, emphasizing their significance. The main idea of ​​all the hymns is the praise of the Lord God, who gives healing and salvation to anyone in need. Psalm 22 is a clear confirmation of this.

The psalms of David, according to the clergy, have a miraculous protective power, more than once helping those who doubt and wandering in the dark, showing them the true path. Psalm 22 of David tells how the king, who was in the desert and suffering from thirst and hunger, was practically saved by three men who unexpectedly brought him food and water.

The meaning of the chant

Psalm 22 teaches us that in any difficult situation there will always be a way out, if you trust in your Lord, believe in his protection. Today the text of the Psalter has been translated into all languages ​​of the world, including Russian. Many of the believers , wishing to understand the deep meaning of David's words, they read the text of the prayer of Psalm 22 and on Church Slavonic.

The text of the prayer Psalm 22

In Church Slavonic with accents

1 The Lord shepherds me, and nothing will deprive me of
2 In a greener place, there they put me in, on the water, bring me up in peace.
3 Turn my soul, guide me in the paths of righteousness, for your name's sake.
4 If I go in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, for you are with me, your rod and your club, that comforts me.
5 Thou hast prepared a table before me, resisting me who are afflicted;
6 And your mercy will marry me all the days of my life, and even settle me in the house of the Lord, in long days.

In Russian

1 The Lord shepherds me and will not let me need anything
2 in a place where greenery is plentiful - there he settled me, brought me up by calm waters,
3 He turned my soul, he guided me in the path of righteousness for the sake of his name.
4 For even if I walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff, they have encouraged me.
5 You have prepared a table before me against those who oppress me; You have anointed my head with oil, and Your cup intoxicates me like the strongest.
6 And your mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and dwell in the house of the Lord for many days!

Another version of Psalm 22 in Russian

1. The Lord is my Shepherd; I won't need anything
2. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me to still waters,
3. strengthens my soul, guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.
4. If I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, because You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5. You have prepared a table before me in the sight of my enemies; anointed my head with oil; my cup is overflowing.
6. So, may [Your] goodness and mercy accompany me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for many days.

When is Psalm 22 of David read?

• before an important event, so that the Lord instills confidence in you;
• being in doubt and depression - reading slowly, with an understanding of the line of Psalm 22, you will understand that our Father will definitely tell you the true path;
• leaving the house, say the thoughtful words of the prayer “The Lord is my Shepherd”, and this day will be successful for you and those around you;
• read the Psalm daily, and if this is not possible, then be sure to say a prayer during church holidays.

The Psalms are an endless source of hope in the Lord, the Shepherd of all people. David wrote his songs in moments of deep emotional experiences, and his songs are equally passionate and written in moments of sorrow and grief, and created as a result of happy and trembling moments.

History of writing

As with everything in the Psalter, this song has a spiritual connotation, so it takes more time to interpret it. At the same time, the history of its writing is not exactly known, and researchers can only put forward various theories about this.

The main idea of ​​Psalm 22 - the Lord guards and protects man

It is believed that King David wrote it during his flight from Jerusalem from the uprising, which was staged by his son Absalom. On this occasion, several songs were written by the king, in particular, the fourth and fortieth. While on the run, the king and his entourage suffered a lot, needing shelter and food.

Researchers claim that the song was written by David after his servants Mahir and Verzell brought food for the entire king's society and fed the people. That is why David calls the Lord the Shepherd here, in view of the fact that the Heavenly Father always takes care of his flock. And the king, who used to look after the sheep, clearly understands what kind of work the shepherd does and how he cares for the sheep.

On a note! This is the first song in which the Lord is called the Shepherd, as Christ (who often compared God to a shepherd in His parables) would later be depicted.

Immediately, despite the admiration and blessing of the Lord, the king expresses some guilt before Him, as in all the psalms that were written at that time.

It is believed that the king's illness, which tormented him at that time, was given to him as a punishment for some sin, and that is why the psalms of that period reflect the guilt of David, although it is not specifically mentioned in this song.

1 The Lord is my Shepherd; I won't need anything

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me to still waters,

3 strengthens my soul, guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.

4 If I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me.

5 You have prepared a table before me in the sight of my enemies; anointed my head with oil; my cup is overflowing.

6 So, may goodness and mercy accompany me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for many days.

The interpretation of the psalm

The interpretation of the Psalter is often difficult for theologians, and common man and it can be difficult at all to make out some words and understand their meaning. That is why it is important to read interpretation in parallel with Scripture. The difficulty in interpreting the Psalms lies in the fact that some historical events cannot be restored, but it was they who influenced the creation of this or that text.

The main idea of ​​Psalm 22 is a simple comparison of the Lord with the Shepherd. Based on it, a person understands that no matter what happens in life, the Lord takes care of him. He is a guardian and a breadwinner, a listener and an adviser - He is a rock and a support for a person. The Lord always provides His children with what they need, whether it be bread, water or shelter, or maybe trials, in order to bring a person back to the Shepherd.

It is also worth looking at each verse of the psalm individually:

The psalm also contains the image of danger and death, but only as a contrasting comparison with the reliable protection that a person has in the Lord. Reading this song, a person can be calm - the Shepherd is with him.

Reading Rules

Psalm 22 is used in worship and during many ceremonies in Orthodoxy and Judaism.

AT Orthodox Church it must be read before Communion and during repentance. The beauty of the style and the brightness of the images made the psalm attractive to directors, so its sound can be heard in many films (Terminator, Sin City, Titanic).

Attention! There are a number of superstitions among the people that claim that the psalm must be read 40 times in order to heal or solve any problem. These are just superstitions.

It should be remembered that you can read the psalm at the moments of the morning and evening prayers when you want to glorify and praise God or when fear seized the soul. How many times this text is read is completely unimportant, only the sincere heart of a person is important.

Psalter. Psalm 22