Psalms 23 - Huddle

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

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 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.,

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ps 23:title–6.

The Lord is my Shepherd. - v1

The Shepherd guides and protects his sheep.

The Lord meets the needs of his sheep.

The Lord is peace. - v2

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalms 46:10) The word “still” in the Hebrew means to relax and let go.

The Lord renews. - v3

The mercies of God are new every morning.

The Lord is our guide. - v4

He guides us for his name sake. We do not deserve his guidance. Like sheep we have gone astray. But in his mercy, he guides to bring glory to his name.

The Lord is comfort. - v4

Even in our darkest valleys, The Lord provides comfort in our trial.

The Lord sits us at his table. - v5

In the presence of our enemies. They see we are his welcomed guest.

He anoints our head with oil, this is an old practice of welcome.

The Lord pursues. - v6

He is chasing after us with his love and mercy. We cannot outrun the love of God.

The Lord secures his sheep. - v6

We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This text is for the now and the not yet. It is much more than a funeral passage. The implications of this verse affect us in the now and promises security for eternity. His sheep and only his sheep are protected, guided and welcomed by the Good Shepherd.