The Lord is My Shepherd
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The book of Psalms is perhaps one of the most beloved books of the Bible by many followers of Jesus Christ. It is full of beauty and wonder, of worship and adoration, of confidence and trust. Of all the psalms in the Bible perhaps none is better known that the 23rd psalm. It is a passage loved by people who love the Lord, by people who know the Lord personally. It is a psalm that takes moments to learn and a lifetime to comprehend. It gets sweeter and sweeter the closer one gets to God. Perhaps this is true because Psalm 23 is all about confidence- it is a psalm of confidence in the Lord- and the more a person comes to know the Lord truly and personally, the more meaning these precious words bear forth.
There are some things that you try to say, but mere words just don’t do it justice. It’s one thing to say, “Well, I have confidence in something.” But that just doesn’t do it justice- you mean more that those words can say. So in order to express the just how much confidence we have in something, and the depth of emotion that goes along with that statement- we sometimes will use poetry or imagery to help get across our message.
So negatively we might sometimes want to say- “I don’t trust something.” But, that just doesn’t convey all the meaning we want to convey, so we will instead say something like this, “I trust him about as far as I can throw him.” That has a depth of meaning that is hard to convey without the imagery.
This is especially true when we talk about God. How do you use mundane human finite language to explain and extraordinary, infinite, supernatural being? Well, one of the ways you can begin to talk about God and express at least something about him with the depth of emotion that you fell is to use imagery.
It is one thing to say “God is a loving god.” Well, that’s true but that just doesn’t do it justice does it?
It is far better to say something like this:
Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky
That does a better job doesn’t it? That gets closer to what we really mean when we say that God is a loving god.
This is exactly what David does in Psalm 23. This a a personal, intimate psalm between David and God alone. It is a psalm of confidence in God- and in order to express just how much David’s trusts in God, he uses three different images to help him express the trust for God that He has deep down in the depth of his soul.
Allen, in his commentary on the Psalms says this, “Accordingly, it has become a song of trust par excellence.”
David used vivid imagery to communicate to God just how much confidence he had in his Lord.
We as believers must learn to put absolute confidence in God.
How do we do that? David used three different images about God that help us to understand just how much we can trust God. Through these three images we can understand just how much confidence we can have in our Lord.
If we are going to be able to trust God, and have confidence in Him like we should then:
I. We must understand the image of the shepherd (vv. 1-4)
I. We must understand the image of the shepherd (vv. 1-4)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Verse one opens with the imagery- The Lord is my shepherd. Now David could have said- I trust God or I have confidence in God. But those simply words do not and cannot express the level of confidence David had for his God- nor can they express the depth of emotion going on in his heart. And so, he does not say, “I have confidence in my God.” Instead, he says, “The Lord is my shepherd.”
Now this is a very meaningful image to David because David himself was a shepherd. He knew everything that a shepherd had to do to take care of the sheep. I have been told many times that sheep are rather dumb animals and they are totally dependent upon the shepherd for everything. David knew that, and he is trying to express this same sentiment about himself. He was absolutely dependent upon God for everything. And did God do a good job at being his shepherd?
“I shall not want.” or you could translate it this way, “I lack nothing.” Why not? How did God provide for David?
v. 2- He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still or quiet waters.
Now we have to be careful here. If we take our western understanding of sheep and pastures and waters we will entirely miss what David is really saying about his shepherd. We have to understand what David meant when he said this. What would this imagery have looked like for David, or for the believers living in David’s day? Because, that is what will help us understand what David is really saying here in these verses.
Video of Green Pastures.
Picture of “Green Pastures”
Do you start to understand David’s confidence in God? Just enough- 10 minutes from now- you have to trust the Shepherd. And that is exactly what David did. The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.
This is why Jesus taught us to pray- “Give us this day our daily bread.”
It is why Paul can say,
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Picture of “Still Waters”
Still- restful or quiet waters
A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89, Volumes 1 & 2: Commentary Commentary in Expository Form
The sheep are not taken to a rushing stream, but to still, calm lagoons. Flocks in the ancient Near East were watered at least once a day, usually around noon; but this leading was not limited to finding water to drink. It included finding a place for cleansing and refreshment. Here the placid waters could wash the wounds and cleanse the soiled spots.
This is why David can say, “I lack nothing”
But God not only provided from David’s physical needs, there is the spiritual needs of the soul as well. God as the Shepherd provided everything for His sheep.
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
David says of his shepherd- He restores my soul. What the soul needs only God can truly give.
The chief need of the soul is a relationship with God, and a relationship with God is only possible through the one who is the Good Shepherd.
In John 10 Jesus uses this same shepherd imagery to describe Himself.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
David said of God His shepherd- He restores my soul. Only God can do that. Only God can provided the necessary care for the soul. And God did that ultimately through Jesus Christ, his only Son. God knew that the only way for your soul to be restored was through Himself. But a relationship with God Himself is only possible if we enter into the pasture through Jesus Christ- Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep.” He is the door, the one and only door- and if you want God to be your Shepherd then you need to gain access to a relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “if any many enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” How did Jesus give us access to the Father? He gave his life for the sheep. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd … and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
How do you enter through Jesus as the door? How do you become one of God’s sheep? You believe. You must believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who alone can save you from your sin and give you a relationship with God.
26 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.
27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
Jesus said to the Jews you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. That means that all that are of Jesus’ sheep believe- they believe in Jesus Christ. And because they believe, Jesus said, “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish.”
Can you say as David did,
3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Why does God do all of this? David said- He leads me in the paths of righteousness, why? For His name’s sake. In other words, God does all of this, He is to us a Shepherd and He provides exactly what we need when we need it, and He is able also to restore our very soul- all for His name’s sake- or it’s all for His glory.
You know that thought changes everything- that changes our thinking from a man centered existence to a god centered consciousness.
Sometimes God leads us down paths that to us seem anything but righteousness. Sometimes we interpret paths of righteousness to be easy street. And then when God allows us to go down difficult paths we wonder what is God doing. But this is psalm of confidence. Because David knew his shepherd personally he had a god centered consciousness about everything. “God I don’t know why you are leading me down this path, but I know it is for your name’s sake- so I’ll trust you.”
And that was true even on the darkest paths imaginable.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Picture of valley of the shadow of death.
I have so much confidence in my Shepherd, David says, that even if I walk in the valley of the shadow of death- lit. “deathly darkness” or “darkness of death” or “deep darkness”, even then I will fear no evil.
A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89, Volumes 1 & 2: Commentary Commentary in Expository Form
“The hill country of Judah is broken up by narrow and precipitous ravines, or wadis, difficult to descend and ascend, dark, gloomy, and abounding in caves, the abode of wild beasts and robbers.” Here it is likely that the psalmist had a number of such gorges in mind from his time in the wilderness, but he was using the idea of such a “valley” as an image for life-threatening experiences, or difficult places
21 Before I go whence I shall not return, Even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;
David had walked through valleys where death cast its shadow over him, and even if he had to face death itself, David can say, “I will fear no evil.” Why?
For you are with me. Notice something very important here in the text. Up until this point David has been talking about the Lord- The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He is talking about the Lord and telling about him to others. But once David’s mind goes to the valley of deep darkness now David starts talking directly to the Lord. I will fear no evil, because you my Shepherd are with me. Why? Why the change in language. Because it is the presence of the Lord that makes all the difference. And the deeper the darkness the closer we must draw to our Shepherd. And so David speaks directly to God in his innermost being, and he says I will fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me. This is a vivid way for David to place his confidence in God as his protector. There is no danger that the Shepherd cannot handle, there is nothing that is out of the Shepherds control, as long as the Shepherd is near I can walk through the deep darkness of even death itself. This is David’s song of trust par excellence.
If we are going to be able to trust God, and have confidence in Him like we should then:
1. We must understand the image of the shepherd
II. We must understand the image of the gracious host (v. 5)
II. We must understand the image of the gracious host (v. 5)
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
In v. 5 Davids changes the scene- he is no longer in a pasture, now he is picturing himself in a banquet hall, and the Lord is no longer his Shepherd but his gracious host. In v. 5 David reflects on what it is like to be the honored guest in God’s banqueting hall.
What was it like? Well David says, “God you prepare a table before me.” In God’s banqueting hall there is a table laid out with food and drink- when God is your host you can have confidence that He will provide for your needs. But that is not all that David means to communicate here. It is not just that God prepares a table, but that God prepares it in the presence of David’s enemies- lit. in the face of my enemies.
A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89, Volumes 1 & 2: Commentary Commentary in Expository Form
According to customs, the honored guest was safe because the host was obliged to protect a guest at all costs. Sitting down to eat and drink in the midst of danger from enemies is a marvelous picture of safety and security
Now that is a picture of confidence. David is saying, if you assembled a gathering of my worst enemies and if you put them right across the table from me so that we were face to face, as long as God is my host, what do I care? David was willing to confidently put his life and wellbeing in the hands of God- his gracious host.
But to just say that David put his confidence in God as his host doesn’t go far enough to express what is really in David’s heart. So he adds to the imagery.
“You anoint my head with oil.”
A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89, Volumes 1 & 2: Commentary Commentary in Expository Form
It was the duty and delight of the gracious host to give the guest scented, perfumed oil to freshen up (especially after being in the sun and sand; modern skin lotions may be similarly refreshing).
44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
46 “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
So David is in this banqueting hall and he is surrounded by his mortal enemies, but his confidence is in God his gracious host. And when you put your trust in God, then he is like the host that provides that which brings refreshment and delight. Yes, David was in the presence of his enemies, but the table was set, he was trusting in the protection of the host, and his head was anointed with oil- in the midst of what should be a very uncomfortable situation- God provides for David comfort and refreshment.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Then David takes it one step further and he says “My cup runs over” or it is “filled to the brim.”
Have you ever been to one of those restaurants where the waiting staff is so efficient that it seems like your glass is never empty. I’ve had those experiences where as soon as you take a drink, someone comes by and fills your glass up to the top again. Sometimes I almost make it a competition, who will run out of water first? Me or the waiter?
David is not saying that the experience of one who believes in God is like an all you can eat buffet. But he is saying that you can have confidence in God no matter what situation you face in life. God is so good- He is like a gracious host that is able to make one feel cared for, safe, refreshed, and comforted even in the presence of your worst enemies. That is confidence. That takes a very personal relationship with God, David is still addressing God directly since v. 4.
Why doesn’t everyone relate to what David is saying? Why can everyone go through the worst of life’s circumstances and say God was my Shepherd and God was my gracious host? The closer you get to God and the more you know about God the more David’s experience will resonate with you.
If we are going to be able to trust God, and have confidence in Him like we should then:
1. We must understand the image of the shepherd
2. We must understand the image of the gracious host
III. We must understand the image of God, the One who pursues us (v. 6)
III. We must understand the image of God, the One who pursues us (v. 6)
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
This is the final image and it is also the conclusion of the Psalm. Why can David have so much confidence in God? Why can he walk through the valley of deep darkness and sit at table with his worst enemies? Where does that kind of confidence come from?
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
The word “follow” is a significant word. This word does not mean that David is off running ahead of God and that God is desperately trying to catch up to follow after David.
My little three year old wants to do what his big brothers are doing. So if brothers are in the back yard, he follows them and as soon as he gets there, his brothers leave and are over on the dirt pile- and my little guy is running after them folllowing them as best he can. This is not what David is saying here.
The word “follow” has the idea of “pursue.” The goodness and mercy of God pursue David wherever he goes. No matter what David does He can’t get away from them. It’s like the police officer who pursues the car that ran the red light- he will pursue that car and over take that car no matter what. David is saying that God pursues after him.
What is pursuing David? The goodness and mercy of God. The word mercy is better translated “lovingkindness” or “loyal love.”
“loyal love” is the well-known covenant word that describes God’s faithful love to keep his covenant promises.
No other thought can so sum up why David has confidence in God. David’s confidence has nothing to do with his own goodness. God pursues David in spite of David not because of David. It is God’s loyal love and goodness that causes God to relentlessly pursue David.
A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89, Volumes 1 & 2: Commentary Commentary in Expository Form
It is God who will pursue him and extend his loyal love to him every step of the way. He will not let David out of his faithful loving care. Why does this love “pursue” him? Was he trying to escape? (cf. Psalm 139:7). No matter where he went, or why, David knew that God would follow him with his love. He had been pursued often in his life; but no man chased him as persistently and effectively as the LORD.
It is with this thought in mind that Francis Thompson wrote the poem, “The Hound of Heaven”
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
"All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."
"Naught shelters thee, who wilt not shelter Me."
"Lo! naught contents thee, who content'st not Me."
"Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
I am He Whom thou seekest!
Thou dravest love from me, who dravest Me."
He is speaking to the running, those who are running from God. The weakest and the blindest who cannot see that God loves them and wants to shower them with his love. But they don't find the love they are seeking because they have rejected it from God. God is saying, "You drove love away from yourself because you have driven my love away from you."
The message is clear. Don't run from God. He loves you. He wants to shower his grace on you. He wants to shelter you and protect you, but if you keep running, then you'll never receive the good blessings God has in store for you.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Why does David have such confidence in God? Because God, in His loyal love pursues David all the days of his life.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Why is David confident in his God? He is convinced that God’s goodness and loyal love will purse him all the days of his life- and his confidence doesn’t stop there! How does He end this poem?
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
He is able to save them all the way to the end to the uttermost- David boldly said I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. That is confidence. That is trust.
God is the same, yesterday today and forever. God is the same god as He was to David as He is to us today.
We can have this same kind of confidence!
If we are going to be able to trust God, and have confidence in Him like we should then:
1. We must understand the image of the shepherd
2. We must understand the image of the gracious host
3. We must understand the image of God, the One who pursues us
Do you know God this well? Do you know God this personally? You can! This song can be your song of trust par excellence!