Enough Is Enough

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.” — Psalm 23:1–3

I have everything I need; I have enough.

When was the last time you said, or felt, that? Even today, God’s promise of abiding presence expressed in Psalm 23 reminds us that, if we look for it, we already have everything we need.

No matter what is happening in our lives or relationships, in our country or around the world, the psalmist’s time-tested words reassure us that God’s love is both present and personal. God is leading, guiding, and nurturing us — especially in times of distress. While endless distractions demand our attention, pointing us to what we lack or what’s trending, Psalm 23 invites us to turn our focus to what is true, beautiful, and lasting. We look to the shepherd who leads us beside still waters with love — to the very source that sustains this world and each of us in it.

The psalm’s pastoral metaphors illustrate the writer’s experience of life with God, a deep and personal relationship of trust. We, too, can trust in God to be true safety, even when the way is not clear. This kind of love is intimate, not in a sentimental way but by its proximity, as near as our next breath; dwelling safely means that God is in me and I am in God. 

Moreover, this kind of love reminds us that our presence with one another makes a difference. As the church, the body of Christ, none of us walks through the valleys alone; God is with us, and we are called to be God for one another. In faithful relationship, we have all that we need. We are enough. We have enough. There is enough.

In ancient Israel, everyone understood that sheep needed protection and guidance. I once quipped, “I’m from the Bronx! We don’t know from shepherds there.” But in truth and in practice, I know God as my shepherd and my shepherd knows me. When I fall into fear, I remember to turn inward, to the divine who lives in me. I remember my shepherd’s loving gaze and draw near to God in prayer, where I can rest in the assurance that I am cherished and known.

Like many who have committed this psalm to memory, we, too, can use it to call to mind the abiding presence of the shepherd. In my own life, I’ve noticed that the more I commit to navigating life with my God, the more awareness I have of this crucial learning: Connection to the Source relieves my fears and empowers me to act with justice and mercy. The psalm tells us: Despite circumstances that might say otherwise, God is setting a table for us, anointing us with good oil, and overfilling our cups to sustain us. God is a God of abundance! There is more than enough for all.

— Kathy Bozzuti-Jones

Kathy Bozzuti-Jones, PhD, is associate director, Faith Formation and Education, Spiritual Practices, Retreats, and Pilgrimage.

Read all of Sunday’s Scriptures

Step Into the Story

Here are some ways to think about the nearness of God.

Music

Singer Buju Banton’s modern-day classic “23rd Psalm,” featuring reggae band Morgan Heritage, reminds us of the comforting promise of the beloved psalm.

In “The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” singer-songwriter Taylor Tripodi interprets the psalm in a prayerful folk style.

I first heard this powerful gospel rendition of Psalm 23 at a funeral for a beloved spiritual director. I often use it in morning prayer.

Eldercare

This slow-paced narration of Psalm 23 displays the words in an easy-to-read font, making it suitable for elder family members, especially those with dementia.

Visual Art

This praise and protest project from Common Hymnal features powerful artmaking alongside music.

Theology

Renowned poet Marilyn Nelson offers a contemporary interpretation of Psalm 23 for Interfaith America: “You give me back myself, point me to the road toward justice, one of your sacred names.”

Commentary

In a compelling interview for Hebrew College, writer Brian McLaren shares that Psalm 23 invites him into a into “a deeper, more contemplative space, holding the contraries together, embracing life’s misery and delight in a larger circle of loving Presence.” See, also, his insightful response to the question How might we read this psalm today, in these difficult days?