APRIL 27 – PSALM 23
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
Psalm 23, also called the shepherd’s psalm, was composed by David, who was a shepherd in his youth. Remember what Scripture tells us about David’s life as a shepherd boy. (1) David was out keeping sheep when Samuel the judge came to his father Jesse’s home to find a king of God’s choosing (1 Sam 16:11). (2) David was the youngest of eight sons and he was left behind to tend sheep when his three oldest brothers went to battle. However, he occasionally visited them (1 Sam 17:12-20, 28). (3) David used skills sharpened during years of shepherding to kill Goliath (1 Sam 17:34-37, 40-51). (4) David is remembered as having been chosen by God and taken from the sheepfolds to shepherd the people of Israel (Ps 78:70-72).
Psalm 23 reflects David’s career shift. While the first four verses paint a pastoral picture, the last two have David sitting at a banquet table, most likely as king, while his enemies—those over whom God has made him triumph—look on. Having grown up in rural places, David had come to the city to exercise authority and power.
This passage has been looked at and remembered in many different ways and is one of the most popular passages of the Bible. Let’s try and look at it with fresh eyes to see what God is showing us.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 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.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Key Takeaways:
- The Lord leads, protects, guides, and restores His flock. (v. 1-4)
- The Lord is our Provider (v. 5)
- Our eternal hope is in enjoying God’s presence (v. 6)
Context:
Using the images of a shepherd and a gracious host, David reflected on the many benefits the Lord gave him in the dangers of life and concluded that God’s persistent, loving protection would restore him to full communion. Psalm 23 is a psalm of trust. Within the six verses, there is a development of the single theme of the first verse: David has no fear or concern, for the Lord is his Shepherd. This psalm of trust presents David in two ways. In one way, he is the “sheep” whose Shepherd is the Lord. At the same time, one of the most common descriptions of kingship in the ancient world is that of a shepherd. In this sense, David as king was a shepherd over the flock of Israel. This means that Psalm 23 is also a royal psalm. Even though the word “king” does not appear in it, this psalm is a description of what it means to be a good ruler. Moreover, the psalm prophetically speaks of Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd whose flock trusts in Him (Jn 10) and the King whose perfect rule will be established (Lk 23:2-3; Rev 17:14). The psalm has two movements: (1) a description of the Lord as Shepherd caring for the psalmist’s every need (vv. 1-4); (2) a description of the Lord as Shepherd extending His mercy to all (vv. 5-6).
Verse exposition:
Verse 1: David employed the figure of a shepherd to recall the blessings he enjoyed from the Lord (cf. God as Shepherd in 28:9; 80:1). David utilizes word pictures (“the Lord is my shepherd”) for God that comes from his own life and experiences. The metaphor was a natural one for David, the shepherd-king. It was also a common metaphor in the ancient Near East, as many kings compared themselves to shepherds in their leadership capacity. The prophecy of the coming Messiah incorporated the same (Isa. 40:11), and Jesus identified Himself as that expected “Good Shepherd” (John 10:14). He is also called the “Great Shepherd” (Heb. 13:20) and “the Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). Because the Lord was David’s Shepherd, his needs were met.
Verse 2: The first blessing David experienced was spiritual nourishment. As a shepherd leads sheep to fresh grass for feeding, so the Lord leads His people. One who follows the Lord does not lack any spiritual nourishment. Under-shepherds (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2) are expected to feed the flock (Ezek. 34:1–10; John 21:15–17) as well. Food for the soul is the Word of God (Heb. 5:12–14; 1 Peter 2:2). Any disturbance or intruder scares sheep. They are very fearful animals and cannot lie down unless they feel totally secure. David uses expressive language to express his view of the abundant care (“green pastures”) God gives to His people.
Sheep are afraid of the fast-flowing streams. God’s provision of still waters has a soothing effect and calms the sheep.
Verse 3: A second blessing that comes from the Lord’s leading is spiritual restoration. As a shepherd leads his sheep to still waters for rest and cleansing, so the Lord restores (Ps 19:7) or refreshes the soul. Here the spiritual lesson is clear: the Lord provides forgiveness and peace for those who follow Him. God refreshes His people with His quiet voice and gentle touch. For this reason, the sheep know the Shepherd and are known by Him (Jn 10:14).
The third blessing that comes from the Lord’s leading is guidance in the right way (paths of righteousness). A good shepherd knows the right paths on which to bring the sheep home safely. So too the Lord loses none of His sheep but guides them in the right way. He does so partly because of His reputation (for His name’s sake). The loving actions of the Shepherd proceed from His nature.
Verse 4: “The valley of the shadow of death” can refer to any distressing time in our lives. The awareness of our own mortality often comes with sickness, trials, and hardships. The fourth blessing from the Lord’s leading is protection. If one finds themselves in a valley of deep darkness (or shadow of death), they need not fear. The Lord is with them and will protect them. But the Lord, our Protector, can lead us through these dark and difficult valleys to eternal life with Him. There is no need to fear death’s power (1 Cor 15:25-27).
The rod and staff are the shepherd’s equipment to protect the sheep in such situations. Ancient shepherds used the rod and staff to rescue, protect, and guide the sheep. Thus, they become symbols of the Good Shepherd’s loving care over His flock. David was comforted by the Lord’s presence and protection. Believers are never in situations the Lord is not aware of, for He never leaves or forsakes His people (cf. Heb. 13:5).
The Good Shepherd is with us even in what seems the most difficult and troubling situations. The sheep are not alone, their Shepherd is standing over them, guiding them into safety, just as the Lord stands over us and protects us.
Verse 5: This verse provides the image of God as Provider. In this verse, the scene changes to a banquet hall where a gracious host provides lavish hospitality. Under this imagery, the psalmist rejoiced in the Lord’s provision. God’s provision is so luxurious, it is as though He has prepared a feast. What was comforting to David was that this was in the presence of his enemies. Despite impending danger, the Lord spread out a table for him, that is, God provided for him.
The image of anointing the head with oil, which was refreshing and soothing, harmonizes with the concept of a gracious host welcoming someone into his home. Typically an honored guest in the ancient Middle East was anointed with olive oil that contained perfumes. In view of the table and the oil David knew that his lot in life (his cup) was abundant blessing from the Lord. God’s provision is as abundant as the wine offered to a guest by a generous host. The lavish treatment of the guest is indicative of the loving care of God for His people.
Verse 6: David concludes this psalm with a response of faith. David realized that the Lord’s good loyal love (ḥeseḏ)[1] would go with him everywhere through all his life. God’s blessings on His people remain with them no matter what their circumstance may be.[2] The use of both goodness and mercy to describe God’s loyal love intensifies the meaning of the two words. What is described in verse 5 is God’s overabundant mercy, that is, love that is completely not deserved. The Hebrew verb “follow” describes an animal in pursuit.[3] When the Lord is our Shepherd, instead of being stalked by wild beasts, we are pursued by the loving care of the Lord.
So he concluded “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” “The house of the Lord” referred to the sanctuary (tabernacle). For the rest of his life (lit., “length of days”) he would enjoy full communion with the Lord. In fact the Hebrew verb translated “I will dwell” conveys the idea of returning; the same verb is translated “He restores” in 23:3.[4] Perhaps David was in some way separated from the sanctuary and full enjoyment of its spiritual benefits. His meditation on the Lord’s leading and provisions prompted him to recall his communion with the Lord in His presence, in the sanctuary. Also, we see David focusing on the eternal hope we have in God. God’s promise for the Israelites was not just for the enjoyment of this life in the land of promise (Ps 6:1-3); it was also for the full enjoyment of the life to come in His blessed and eternal presence (Ps 16:9-11; 17:15; 49:15)
[1] Strong’s 2617.DBL Hebrew 2876: “loyal love, unfailing kindness, devotion, i.e., a love or affection that is steadfast based on a prior relationship.”
[2] Other verses in Psalms about God’s goodness include: 27:13; 31:19; 69:16; 86:17; 109:21; 116:12; 142:7; 145:7.
[3] רָדַף (rā·ḏǎp̄); Strong’s 7291; TWOT 2124; DBL Hebrew 8103. to follow after earnestly, to pursue
[4] Allen P. Ross, “Psalm,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 812. Also see: שׁוּב (šûḇ): v.; ≡ Str 7725; TWOT 2340.