Psalm 23: Natalie Long
Psalm 23 “The LORD is my Shepherd…”
David knew a thing or two about sheep as he spent his early years tending his father’s fields. In fact, when David was anointed as God’s chosen king, it was from the shepherd fields where he was called. In Psalm 23, David used sheep as a metaphor for God’s people as a way to show us our deep need for the Good Shepherd. Sheep are totally dependent on their shepherd for provision, protection, care, nourishment, guidance, and security. The Lord is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep, totally dependent on Him for all good things. Psalm 23 is a song of trust and confidence in the Good Shepherd of our souls.
David opens the Psalm acknowledging where his provision, protection, care, nourishment, guidance, and security come from- the LORD. The LORD is the Shepherd who provides all he could ever need and he has no want- he lacks nothing good as he follows the LORD (v.1).
A shepherd knows his sheep. He knows what they need, what could bring them harm, and what is best for them. If sheep listen to the shepherd, follow him and trust him, their needs will be met. Their shepherd will give them the best provision, guidance, and protection he can offer. Take some time and ask yourself these questions: Do I trust the Good Shepherd? Do I value His provision and guidance more than anything else? Do I think God is withholding good from me?
In vv.2-3, David says, the Shepherd makes him lie down in green pastures; and leads him beside quiet waters (waters of rest). The Shepherd restores his soul and guides him in the paths of righteousness for His (the LORD’s) name’s sake. The understanding behind lead is a “gentle leading.” The LORD leads gently and patiently, never forcefully. The sheep hear the shepherd’s voice and follow Him. We, too, should follow the voice of our Good Shepherd.
In our sin, when we follow our own way and rebel against the Lord’s way, we are left in unrest, chaos and discontentment. But, when we follow the paths of righteousness, the LORD gently and patiently leads us beside the quiet, peaceful, and restful places that restore us and give life to our souls. Only He can bring us to green pastures and quiet waters as we listen and follow Him.
God knows our walk with Him will not always be easy and we will grow weary at times. We will get exhausted from trials and temptations. The burdens we carry can weigh us down until we just want to stop going. But we can trust His faithfulness to provide what we need in His most perfect timing. Whether it’s a refreshing word from the Scriptures or an encouraging friend who ministers to us during a difficult time, the Shepherd is always faithful to provide the rest and restoration our souls need.
Sheep are easily frightened, especially in darkness. The shepherd used his rod to protect against predators and used the staff’s crook to help the sheep move into the fold. At night, each sheep would pass under the crook of the staff as the shepherd counted them and examined them. The shepherd knew his sheep individually and was equipped to protect and assist them. We are not alone as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death (literally “the valley of deep darkness”). When we walk through times of great difficulty and pain, the LORD is with us. When we are scared and unsettled, we are not left to our own devices for protection and assistance. He provides all we need to come through the valley safely. As we closely follow the Shepherd, the safer and more at peace we will be. But, when we look to the earthly and the temporal to bring us comfort and to make us feel safe, we are left empty, scared, and hurting. Only our Good Shepherd can provide eternal, lasting safety and comfort. And, it is usually in the valley of deep darkness where we experience His love and presence more deeply than ever before.
In verse 5, David declares to the LORD, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Here, table means “something spread out.” Flat places in the hilly country were called “tables.” These “tables” provided a place for sheep to spread out, eat, and rest as they headed for the fold. At the fold, the shepherds would spread out food in a trough for the sheep to eat. When the sheep finished eating, they would lie down and rest. As they slept, the stone wall of the trough would have protected them from thieves or dangerous animals. Not only did the stone wall protect them, the shepherd would have slept across the opening and acted as a door (John 10:7-9). Also, each night before the sheep went to sleep, the shepherd would examine them and if any were injured, he would apply oil to their wounds. He would also apply oil to the horns and heads of the sheep to keep flies and insects away. During the night, when danger approached the fold, there was no way it could reach the sheep because the shepherd had provided all they needed for safety and protection. The sheep could rest securely and peacefully knowing their shepherd had provided for all their needs.
Our walk with Jesus does not guarantee the absence of danger. Whether it’s physical, relational, emotional, spiritual, or otherwise, we are not immune to danger. But we do not have to live in fear. We can rest knowing our Good Shepherd has provided all we need to overcome our fears. What is causing fear in you? Fear of people’s opinions? Fear of financial loss? Fear of friendships being lost? Fear of illness? Fear of losing a loved one? Fear of God’s call on your life? Ask the Lord to show you where you struggle with fear. Then ask Him to help you lay down those fears and trust that He has provided all you need to live victoriously.
Scholars believe David wrote this Psalm near the end of his life. As he reflected back on his life and looked forward to the days to come, he gave thanks to the Lord for His goodness and lovingkindness (v.6). Though David had not lived a perfect life, he could say with certainty that goodness and lovingkindness had followed him and would continue to follow until the day he went to forever dwell in his Father’s house.
Those of us who are God’s children can echo David. We can look both backward and forwards at the overflowing goodness and lovingkindness of our Shepherd. We can look back at the cross and see the Good Shepherd’s abundant goodness and overwhelming lovingkindness as He laid down His life for His sheep. And we can look forward to the days ahead knowing that the same goodness and lovingkindness that flowed from the cross will follow us all the days of our life.
And when the day comes where we go and dwell in the house of the LORD forever, it is promised to us that we will, “no longer hunger, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:17).
Amen.
Natalie is a graduate of SEBTS’ Biblical Women’s Institute. She serves as Women’s Ministry Leader at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC. She and her husband, Kevin, have one son.