No doubt, just about everyone has heard this Psalm before, as it is one of the most famous passages of Scripture. It has and keeps on providing endless readers with a wellspring of harmony and trust.
It is a lovely chapter, and without an excess of thought or study, it is ideally suited for day-to-day reflection, meditation, petition, and prayer. Among Christians, it very well may be the most frequently cited and, much of the time, memorized set of verses in the Old Testament.
The subjects of solace, consolation, and God's arrangement for His people have reverberated even with non-Christians across the ages.
It was written by King David, a former shepherd boy. The subject for this chapter is God, who is viewed as a mindful shepherd and a dependable director. We should follow God and submit to His will. He is the only hope for security and everlasting life.
This Psalm lies between Psalm 22, which portrays Jesus as the suffering Messiah, and Psalm 24, which portrays Him as sovereign. Psalm 23 portrays Christ as the all-adequate shepherd.
The three psalms together put a spotlight on the Shepherd's cross, the Shepherd’s crook, and the Shepherd’s crown. In John 10, Jesus alludes to Himself as the “Good Shepherd,” repeating a considerable number of the subjects investigated in this chapter.
Psalm 23:1-3 extolls the favors presented to David by the Lord, his own shepherd. The scene is quiet and individual. In John 10:11, Jesus distinguished Himself as the Good Shepherd.
He accomplishes what David depicts in Psalm 23:1-3 for his sheep. He drives his sheep (John 10:3-4), guides them to pasture (John 10:9), reestablishes their spirits (John 10:10), and safeguards them (John 10:11-15).
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will 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 anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:1-6).
Does God Really Provide Today?
In portraying the Lord as a shepherd, David worked out of his own insight since he had gone through his initial years tending to sheep (1 Samuel 16:10-11). Sheep are subject to the shepherd for protection, provision, and guidance.
The New Testament states that Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), the “Great Shepherd” (Hebrews 13:20-21), and the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4).
As the Lord is the “Good Shepherd,” so we are His sheep, not stupid, terrified, aloof creatures, but rather submissive followers adequately wise to follow the One who will lead us in the correct ways and to the right places.
This Psalm does not center on the creature-like characteristics of sheep yet on the discipleship characteristics of the people who follow the “Good Shepherd.” At the point when we finally identify the “Good Shepherd,” we are to follow Him.
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:25).
1. His Peace Is Given and He Guides Our Paths
At the point when we permit God our Shepherd to direct us, we will be contented. In any case, when we decide to sin, we head out in different directions and cannot fault God for the climate that we make for ourselves.
Our Shepherd knows the “green pastures” and the “still waters” that will renew us. We will arrive at these spots exclusively by dutifully following Him.
Defying the Shepherd's guidance is really opposing our own well-being. We should recall this whenever we are enticed to head out in different directions as opposed to the directions of the Shepherd.
Psalm 23:4-6 changes in temperament from the serenity depicted in verses 1-3. It is a dismal section yet conveys the confirmation that the Lord safeguards His sheep and fills their days with His endowments.
This section contrasts the initial three verses by speaking to the Lord, David's Shepherd, straightforwardly. In verses 1-3, David discusses the Lord; however, in verses 4-6, he converses with the Lord.
2. His Protection and His Presence Are Given
David sheds a startling shadow over us since we are completely defenseless in its presence. We can battle with different adversaries, tormented suffering, illness, and injury; however, strength and fortitude cannot defeat death.
It has the last word. There is only one single individual who can walk through life with us and through death's dim valley and bring us securely to the opposite side, and that is the God of life, our Shepherd. Since life is dubious, we ought to follow this Shepherd who offers us everlasting certainty.
The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).
3. He Prepares Us with Plenty, Promises, and Permanence
In Middle Eastern culture, a host was supposed to safeguard their visitors no matter what. God offers the insurance of a host in any event when foes encompass us.
In the last scene of this Psalm, we see that those who believe in God will abide with Him. God, the only perfect Shepherd and host, vows to direct and safeguard us through life to bring us into His home for all of eternity.
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure (Psalm 16:5).
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good (Psalm 25:6-7).
“The Lord is my Shepherd” infers a significant yet pragmatic working connection between an individual and the Creator and Savior. It is also personal because it signifies a close connected, private relationship between the Creator and the created.
Now let us look at verse six again. The word “surely” implies certainty and confidence. The phrase “shall follow me” infers closeness and connectedness.
“All the days of my life” shows a state of being consistent and constant. “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” is continual.
What Does This Mean?
Christ is our Comforter, so then we can comfort others. What we have been uninhibitedly given, we can then pay it forward to others. God works in our lives, not so we can remain quiet about it, but rather that He means for it to be given out.
It is to be extended through the body of Christ in our local churches, and across the globe, as Christians energetic about God's grace broadcast His name and offer what He has done in our lives. His comfort is offered to us that we can thusly offer it to others (2 Corinthians 1:4).
For further reading:
Why Was Jesus Called the Good Shepherd?
What Does it Mean That Jesus Is Our Shepherd Today?
'The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want' — Meaning of Psalm 23 Explained
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