Psalm 23:3 is the only biblical passage in which this phrase appears: "He restores my soul." This is in reference to the Shepherd leading His sheep to "green pastures," "quiet waters," and "righteous paths." As Christians, we are God's pasture sheep (Psalm 100:3), and only He has the power to restore our souls. "To restore" is defined as "to repair, renovate, or return to a previous state." The soul is our spirit's and innermost being's deepest part. Because God created us, He is the only one who can restore us, because only He knows what our souls truly require.
The Bible—the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), which has the answers and wisdom to deal with everything we will ever face—has the answers and wisdom to restore our souls. It has the power to make us wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15), to encourage us when we are discouraged (2 Corinthians 1:3), and to lead us to a life of peace and fulfilment (2 Corinthians 1:3). (Psalm 119:97-105). While there are many books written by men that offer worldly wisdom, only God's Word has the power to restore the soul and provide hope in difficult times.
Of course, only those whose souls have been redeemed through faith in Christ can have their souls restored. All who come to Jesus will be given rest (Matthew 11:28-30), so it is critical that we are certain of our salvation and relationship with God. The peace and joy that God promises in His Word are only available to those who are truly born again in Christ.
When we face discouragement, trials, or temptations, God has thankfully provided for us. He's given me three main sources of strength and encouragement. First, He has given us His Word as a spiritual guide, encouragement, and nourishment. We need to read it, hear it preached (Romans 10:17), and most importantly, obey it (Psalm 119:2; Proverbs 3:1-2; James 1:25). Second, God has endowed us with the power and privilege of prayer (Matthew 7:7-11; Mark 11:24-25; John 15:7; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:14). We need to pray to God about our problems, discouragement, and exhaustion, knowing that He loves and cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7). Finally, He has provided us with other Christians who can encourage and support us (Ecclesiastes 4:9-19; Ephesians 4:29; Hebrews 3:13). It's crucial to be a part of a healthy, well-balanced church and to worship and fellowship with other believers on a regular basis (Hebrews 10:23-25). Christians who have faced similar challenges can be a great source of encouragement and support when we are going through difficult times (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
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