The Three Sisters of Psalm 23:6

Painting by Altusfineart.com

A little girl was born, I’ll call her Surely, because, she will live without danger or risk of injury or loss. She will cause everyone she meets along her way to be safe. She was sent by the Good Shepherd, Yeshua.

Two years later another little girl is born. I’m calling her Goodness, it’s the sixth fruit of the Spirit, which actually means holy, pure and righteousness. She will follow God with godliness in the way she lives her life with a heart that is pure.

And now a third little girl is born. I will call her Mercy. Mercy will walk with an attitude of forgiveness. When wronged or mistreated she will extend mercy, she will forgive, seventy-times- seven, because, her example is the Prince of Peace, Yeshua. And so, here is my story.

I walked alone in a desert place

Where life was hard and without a trace, of safety, love or grace.

My enemies lurked on every side. And had I not been Spirit filled,

I would have most certainly, died.

But Surely, followed me, keeping me safe…

Along with her sister’s Goodness and Mercy!

Goodness was pure and sweet.

Never a stranger did she meet.

For God dwelt within her.

All she’d meet was in awe.

They wanted to know this godly one, who followed me, in the darkened streets.

Mercy, was a gentle soul, but she was also, strong, holy and bold!

She followed me in solitude with quiet repose, forgiving all those, who dared to mock our God!

Forgiveness is a rare thing these days,

But in all our ways…when we forgive, we’ll be forgiven.

And as I live this Holy life, I’ll never be alone…

The house of the Lord is where I dwell, it will be my final home…

While, Surely, Goodness and Mercy, follow!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 20, 2021

I dedicate this poem to DeniseRenee Rand Dahlheimer

Psalm 23:6 New King James Version

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, (Marla), All the days of my life; And I, (Marla) will ^[a]dwell in the house of the Lord ^[b]Forever.

Footnotes

1. Psalm 23:6 So with LXX, Syr., Tg., Vg.; MT return

2. Psalm 23:6 Or To the end of my days, lit. For length of days

Definitions of Surely, Goodness and Mercy

1: in a sure manner: a archaic: without danger or risk of injury or loss: safely.

The sixth fruit of the Spirit is goodness. … But the Bible tells us that the word ‘good’ actually means holy, pure and righteousness. Literally goodness is godliness. Goodness can often be seen in our actions, but our heart also has to be pure. The goodness of Christ is to be demonstrated in our lives every day. Sep 2, 2020

As Pope Francis writes in the very first sentence of Misericordiae Vultus,

“Jesus Christ is the face of God’s mercy.”

At its core, mercy is forgiveness.

Fill in your own name…

The Lord is Marla’s Shepherd

Surely, Goodness and Mercy will follow Marla all the days of her life and she will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

Safety, purity and righteousness, as well as forgiveness…will follow me all the days of my life…