Proximal and Personal

From Didn't See This Coming:  Treatment #5:  What's Next??

From Dr. Groopman's book on Psalm 23: "Rabbi Hamilton pointed out to me that the psalm suggests two very different scenes. The first is an idyllic one: green pastures and still water. The second is a harrowing on: the valley of the shadow of death. In the idyllic setting, God is somewhat distant and is spoke of in the third person: "he" maketh me to lie down in green pastures, "he" leadeth me beside the still waters. But then there is an abrupt shift in scene and of God's person. When the Psalmist walks through the valley of the shadow of death, God is addressed as "thou". The change to the familiar indicates that God has moved near to us, become a close companion, allaying our fear, supporting us with rod and staff, nourishing us in the presence of our enemies. Faith is most powerful when God is felt as proximal and personal."