The LORD is my Shepherd

Psalm 23[A Psalm of David.]

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. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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. (Psalm 23 King James Version)

Interpretive Journey through Psalm 23.

#1 Grasping the text in their own pasture.

Question: What did the text mean to the original audience?

Using vibrant metaphors, David communicates to his readers the shepherding attribute of the LORD, to the Hebrew nation, to help them understand the comfort and care of the benevolent God.

David is confident in the comfort, protection, provisions, peace, promises, and care of the LORD as his Shepherd.

Because David was called as a young shepherd to govern the people of the Lord God, he understands the full extent of the LORD being his Divine Shepherd, over him and the people of Israel.

Step 2: Measure the width of the river to cross.

What are the differences between the biblical audience and us?

The original audience understood shepherding sheep firsthand. David, the author of this psalm, is himself a shepherd. — Not all modern Christians identify with living on the open range to keep livestock such as sheep.

We gain our understanding of shepherding through ranchers, education materials, and relying on the experiences of others.

Step 3: Crossing the “Principle-izing” Bridge What are the theological principles or themes in this text?

The LORD is our Shepherd. He will meet our needs as Father God wills.

Step 4: Consult the Biblical Map

How does this theological principle fit with the rest of the Bible?

1. The Lamb Shepherds the Disciples of Christ

Revelation 7:17 (NRSV)

for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

2. The Good Shepherd, Jesus, Lays Down His Life for The Sheep (Disciples)

John 10:11–15 NRSV

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.

3. Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, Can Make the Disciples Complete in Everything Good.

Hebrews 13:20–21 NRSV

Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Step 5. Grasp the text in our own field. How should individual Christians today live out the theological principles?

Since the LORD is my Shepherd…

1. I can trust Him to meet my every spiritual need in Christ.

2. I have peace in my life.

3. I know Jesus is watching over me.

4. I am aware Jesus cares.

5. I can pray “lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one.”

6. I do not have to fear the darkest trials of life

7. I find comfort in Father God’s chastening rod and staff of rescue

8. I always look for the Shepherd’s blessings in the presence of animosity and enemies

9. I am confident that goodness and mercy will always follow me

10. The path of righteous is visible for me

11. He knows me by name.

12. My hope is an everlasting life in the LORD’s Heavenly House.

Conclusion:

The LORD is my Shepherd. I will not live in want because all spiritual blessings are in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:3–4 NRSV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.

We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…

Is not that what David is really getting at?

Again, we acknowledge with David...

Psalm 23:1

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”