Psalm 23

This is a very "nice" psalm. I have seen pictures of white fluffy sheep in green meadows under sunny blue skies.

Psalm 23 (New International Version)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I was sharing about this at brotherhood at work, and the following things struck me about it:

God would not restore my soul if all was OK. We don't need restoring if we have not been through tough times.
It says I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Again this is about tough times,grief and death included. It doesn't say "I once walked" but is present tense ie this is a common and ongoing experience for us.
His rod and staff comfort me. Someone once said this was Jesus guidance but also His discipline. He defends us, and he also corrects us.
The table Jesus prepares speaks of covenant. It was at table that God made vows to men. It is at table in the bread and wine that Jesus asks us to remember Him. We remember Jesus in His suffering and sacrifice, and it is in the presence of our enemies, in the middle of the tough times, that He calls us to find Him in his broken body and spilled blood.
He does anoint our head with oil, the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Overflowing. Abundant. Not lacking. The power of God living in us in every situation.
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. We attempt to demonstrate Jesus kingdom here on earth now. We will know the fullness of it eternally.

So... all in all I think it is really a battle psalm.
Christians are not exempt from the trials of life. Because of Jesus we do not go through them alone.