The LORD is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)

1. Psalm 23:1-3

He knows exactly what we need and provides for us

What and where he brings us is always good for us

God acts primarily for the sake of His own name, and this is actually the best thing for us. He is glorified and we are restored/fed/protected.

His glory and our good naturally go together

2. Psalm 23:4

The right paths that he leads us on sometimes go through dark valleys

This is not a sign of his absence or disapproval - notice how the psalmist moves from 3rd person (vv. 1-3) to second person (v. 4): the theological truths are learned in the green pastures and then experienced in the valley

It is the right path, that we must all travel through, for his glory and our own good

The reason we do not fear is because he is with us, it is not because the darkness isn’t real (it is) it’s just no match for our God

Rod and staff protect from external threats and internal wanderings

3. Psalm 23:5-6

Lavish feast is provided - notice the generous joyful character of God

In the presence of my enemies - are they vanquished or still active? the text does not say. In either event, the Lord will throw a feast for his flock (to mix the metaphor somewhat) regardless of our external circumstances. Our source of joy is not the absence of evil but the presence of God.

The irony is that we may experience something like a green pasture (God’s peace) even when we are in the dark valley (life circumstances).

Goodness and mercy (or steadfast love) will track us down, pursue us, not let us go. The sheep will try to wander from the flock but the sheepdogs of love and mercy will keep them on the right path til the end of days (cf Romans 8:32-38; see also Eugene Peterson, As Kingfishers Catch Fire)

The right path will always lead us home. Nothing outside of us, nor inside of us can thwart the final plan of God. We are secure in Christ forever.

The whole point is to dwell with God. His presence is life (cf. Psalm 16:11)

Jesus is our Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20-21) who has gone before us into the valley of the shadow of death and who is walking with us now. We know that no matter how dark our current path may seem, we have peace with God because of the death of Jesus. Our shepherd is always with us and our path is always leading us home.