Psalm 23

Notes/Commentary

1: The LORD is David’s shepherd: Yahweh, not any other God, is the God who will lead him as his shepherd. David knows that this means he will not “want”, which most simply means he knows he will be taken care of by God.

Everything in the psalm flows from the relationship David has with God.

The word Shepherd is interesting, because David typically uses king or deliverer or rock to describe God in the psalms, but here he chooses an image that is intimate. The shepherd lives with his flock, and is everything to it: guide, physician, and protector.

2: How does he know this? Well: God makes him lie down in green pastures and leads him by still waters. David will have all the nutrients he needs (in this sheep analogy), and not only that, but he will be restful and tranquil in the process.

Hired hands will keep a flock alive. A shepherd is not a hired hand. A shepherd is the personal caregiver for his flock. A shepherd will not take on a flock if he is not prepared to devote his entire life to causing it to flourish. If he didn’t do this he would be bad at his job

3: Not only does God provide for David’s physical needs, but God also restores David’s soul. As the shepherd, Yahweh leads David down the paths of righteousness (or simply the correct path), and David says he does this for the sake of his own name, or reputation/presence. (Refer back to the times that God says he will do things because of his namesake in the past)

Verses two were tender, and this verse is more firm, speaking of God’s faithful dealings with his people. My soul really just means my life or myself, and so in this phrase, mixed with the right paths, David is saying: The Lord is my guide, he directs my steps, and he restores me onto the path when I go astray (what a bold statement!). GOD directs and restores David. David is only a sheep, and sheep sometimes stray, or don’t listen to their shepherd, but God is faithful to keep David on the correct path, because his reputation is on the line to do so! “The ways of the sheep either shame or vindicate the Shepherds good name.”

4: After reflecting on the provision of God, David makes a bold statement. He says that even when he walks through the darkest valley he will fear nothing bad, for he knows that God has provided for him in the past, that God is leading him on the paths, and God is looking out for the dangers to come. David doesn’t have to worry about dangers or harm, because he trusts the strength and care of his Shepherd, Yahweh. Yahweh has a staff to reign David back in when he wanders off into danger, and he has a rod to fight of any danger that comes directly at David.

The thing is that the dark valley is as much a “right path” as the green pastures.

David changes from “He” to “You” here, and he addresses the personal nearness of God in the valley in the face of death, danger, or any other sort of harm. The point is clear: God doesn’t just walk in front of us through the valley of the shadow of death, he slows down and walks with us through to the other side.

5: Not only does God merely protect and watch over David, but he in turn provides abundantly for David, even in the midst of harm, as his dear friend. It’s as if David is so protected by Yahweh that he can sit down for a triumphant feast that Yawheh prepared for him in the valley of death, without having to worry about any of the dangers that could be lurking near. David is content to sit and expose himself, because Yahweh has set the table, and Yahweh is on guard. David is washed up, comfortable, and sitting in front of an abundance of food and wine. A carefree party is happening in the wilderness, how wild!

God is no longer pictured as a shepherd here, and David is no longer pictured as a sheep. God is now a dear friend to David who has set a table of triumphant victory

6: David is sure that with Yahweh leading him he will be provided for abundantly, he will look onward to goodness, and he knows the Lord will be trustworthy for his whole life. The dwelling place of God is among David— God’s house, the temple, is in his presence, and he knows that this presence will last for God is watching and protecting and drawing his people in from there. (provided they stay faithful to the covenant lol)

This is more than just about the feast, it is about the mutual loyalty that David and the Lord have. David is invited to dwell with God as a friend, as family, and God’s steadfast love and goodness are always a fact for anyone in his family, those things pursue, or chase after the people God cares for forever.

Outline

Main Point: God is intimately connected with, and concerned for, his sheep.

Intro: