He Restores My Soul

he restores my soul, he leads me in the paths of righteousness, for his name sake (Psalm 23:3)

The Hebrew word translated as restore means to turn back, return, most used as restore, brought back, turned. Restore means to return to a former condition, place, or position. To bring back or put; into existence or use; into a former or original state; to put in possession of something. He restores my soul, bringing it back into existence to its original state. 

so also written 'the first man Adam came into existence a living soul.' The last Adam makes alive spiritually, rather, not the spiritual first rather the natural then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:45-46)

Mankind is alive physically or naturally. Because of one man's disobedience all men died (Romans 5:12-19). Because of one man's obedience many are made alive. We were dead in sin, naturally alive, but in Christ we are made alive and raised and seated in the heavenlies with him. (Ephesians 2:5-7). And we await our salvation, the redemption of our bidy. This tells us there are three parts to our restoration and salvation; new birth of the Spirit, restoration of our soul, and finally a restored body.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23, ESV)

The scriptures speak of the division of soul and spirit, comparably the division of thoughts (mind and soul) and heart (spiritual) (Hebrews 4:12). This is the promised covenant God would give us a new heart and put his spirit within us (Hebrews 8:10). A new covenant sealed not by a circumcision of the flesh, but of the heart through the Spirit (Romans 2:29). God adopts us as his own through new birth of the Spirit.

... obtaining the goal of your faith, salvation of your soul (1 Peter 1:9)

Our new birth occurred when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believing we were sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). Belief through the gospel brought about a new birth, Jesus being the author and maturer of our faith. A child of God has testimony of Spirit and blood; he knows the Father and that his sins are forgiven. It is a new covenant in His blood, as without Jesus dying and shedding his blood there would not be one. There is a goal of faith, Peter writes.

The salvation and restoration of our soul is the goal of faith. A restored soul has many benefits like peace, contentment, love, joy... things that are priceless and more precious than gold. And Jesus is the good shepherd who restores our soul, and leads us in the paths of righteousness. God is holy and he chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless before him in love, predestining us for adoption as his own (Ephesians 1:4-5). Part of restoration is being led in paths of righteousness. In Christ the soul of mankind is being restored, turned back into its original and intended state.