The 10 Realities of a Christian – Psalm 23:1-6

Psalm 23 - Ten Realities of a Christian

The 23rd Psalm is a reality of what we receive through Christ. When it was written it was a prophetic statement of our rights and privileges, our inheritance, that is, what we were to receive as a deed title, through Christ.

Let’s go through the Psalm verse by verse with the aid of Strong's Concordance to help us uncover the expanded meaning of the original text. (To those that are not already familiar with Strong's, it is a concordance, an index, of all the words in the Bible, and their meaning and origin in the original Greek and Hebrew texts.) So here we go:

(1)"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want [2637]..."

This word want means I shall not have lack. This is saying, that as long as you trust in, and depend on, and believe Him, you can expect and depend on Him to provide your every (godly) need. Wow!!!

(2) "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters."

You have no choice but to prosper when you believe (obey) and depend on Him for your provision. This is what "...green pastures" is a reference to. In the pastoral setting of this Psalm, prosperity to a flock is what? Green pastures, of course! Provision. And the quiet waters? Naturally we have peace, our every need and care is attended to by Him, spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially.

(3) "He restores [7725] my soul..."

The ancient Hebrew word shuwb means to return to. When we are discouraged and depressed what do we need? Encouragement! Restoration! He restores a positive perspective.

(4) “He guides me in the paths of righteousness[6664]"

Do you know what this is saying? He has declared you righteous - and because of this right relation in Him (the Father) you are now entitled to an intimate relationship with God. Why? For His name’s sake. And who is His (the Father's) name's sake? Jesus... Just think about that for a moment. Because of His name's sake, Jesus, and what He has done on the Cross, and your belonging to Him, He blesses you with His perfection, His character!!!

(5) "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.

Look carefully at this verse. It's "...the valley of the shadow of death..." not death itself we are walking through. It's the place or valley where death's shadow resides, not where death itself resides. Now that we belong to Jesus, it's only the illusion of death that we walk through. Death can't touch us unless we let it, through fear. What this is really saying is, that if we accept it, we've been set free of fear, and the death it brings.

(6) “Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me."

What does the rod and staff represent to the shepherd taking care of the sheep? He counts them with the rod, and protects them with the staff. If you are counted and one of His, and allow Him to be your Lord as well as Savior, in other words run your life, He promises to protect you and you shall have His promise of eternal life with Him.

(7) "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

He will bless us (setting a table for us to eat). This verse is saying, it doesn't matter what the outside world does or thinks of us or what schemes Satan and his demons (our enemies) devise... our God is bigger and this is His promise to us who belong to Him.

(8) You anoint my head with oil.

Think of all the miracles the Holy Spirit has performed in your life. Read James 5:14

(9) My cup overflows.

One of my biggest trials at Christmas time is trying to come up with an idea when family members ask me what I want for Christmas.

(10) “Surely goodness [2896] “good things...favor...mercy” will follow me all the days of my life."

Notice it says favor and mercy will follow me... I don't chase it... it will follow me.... "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.