The Lord is My Shepherd – Psalm 23
Introduction
I tend to harp on rampant individualism eroding the strength of the church. The church is primarily a communion of saints rather than a collection of individuals. Jesus made a covenant with the church, not with Rick and Johnny. However, God makes communities, families, and churches out of individuals. So, if you are part of the family of God, you will be a brother or a sister. If you are in the flock of Jesus, you are one of His sheep.
The Passage
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will bdwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23
Explanation of the Passage
One reason this Psalm is popular is its devotional character. Notice, at the beginning and end, in verses 1 through 3 and verse 6, David talks about God. David says, “He.” But in the middle of the psalm, verses 4 and 5, David speaks to God directly saying, “you.” David knows things about God and He also knows God personally.
David also portrays the Lord in two ways, as a shepherd and as a host. Remember David is the shepherd king. He grew up taking care of his dad’s flocks. While David was protecting his animals, he learned God was protecting Him. The Lord takes care of David like a good shepherd (v.1) providing food and protection (v.2). Like a shepherd treating a sheep’s injured leg, the Lord treats David’s injured soul (v.3). God leads David in the righteous paths (v.3). Because of this, David says that even if he were to go through death, he has nothing to fear because God is with him (v.4). So, David can trust God like a shepherd.
He also enjoys God as a host of a large banquet. God, David’s king, waged war on His behalf against David’s enemies. Now, his enemies are somehow captured watching him eat in the dining hall (v.5). God anoints David to a high position and gives Him more than he could ask for (v.5). David ends the psalm with a striking turn of phrase portraying God’s love. God’s goodness and mercy will chase after David all the days of His life. God will ensure that there’s always room for him in His holy temple (v.6).
The Lord is My Shepherd
Sports teams use predators as their mascots, not helpless, dumb sheep. But scripture refers to the church as sheep (Matthew 24:32; John 10:3-16; Acts 20:28). We are helpless sheep. We need daily provision, constant protection, rescue from danger, guidance through trial. Our failures, sin, ignorance, and bad theology do not surprise God.
Jesus is our shepherd. He provides us with daily bread (John 6:11). He protects us from the snares of Satan (1 John 3:8). He rescues us from the despair of sin and shame (Romans 8:1). He leads us into righteousness (Romans 5:1). He comforts us with his rod and staff. Jesus loves us with discipline (Hebrews 12:6; Proverbs 13:24). He would gladly hit is over the head with discipline than have us wander into a predator’s mouth. He does all of this at sacrifice to himself. He lays His life down for His sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. John 10:11–16
Remember, what makes you a sheep isn’t your doctrinal intelligence, your spiritual disciplines, or how long you pray. It’s that Jesus put you into His care. He knows you and counts you into His flock (Hebrews 13:17). So, keep following Him.
The Lord is My Host
Jesus is our host. Jesus leads in toward paths of righteousness (v. 3) where the final destination is a field of green and still streams of water (v. 2). Righteousness is a garden, it’s a lush farm, it’s the garden of Eden. It’s a banquet. But notice, He leads us to this righteous banquet through the valley of the shadow of death and into the presence of our enemies. Jesus doesn’t ignore our fears like death and conflict. Instead, Jesus welcomes them to us so He can deliver them from us.
We need worship. We need the house of the Lord. We need the communion of the saints here on the Lord’s day. Today is when Jesus feeds you and shows you His abundant mercies. Today, Jesus shows you that you have enemies, but you still get an overflowing glass of wine and special treatment from Jesus. Notice that “I do not lack” (v.1) has no direct object. Whatever we need, God gives. All your gifts are God-given. All of your sorrows are God-given because He uses them for your good (Romans 8:28).
Conclusion
My brother and I had a dog named Clifford when we were growing up. He was an average sized black lab. He was the friendliest dog. Nathan and I would wander off in the woods and sooner or later we would hear someone behind us, which would scare us. Always, it was Clifford chasing us down. Sometimes we would even try wandering off deep into the woods and he would always show up. Christian, what follows you wherever you go? God’s goodness and mercy.