No other Psalm is so widely loved and remembered as Psalm 23. Christians, Jews and many unbelievers could probably recite Psalm 23 from memory with little effort. In just 6 short verses, the completeness of God’s love for mankind is encapsulated.
Written by David, the poem borrows heavily from the memories he had as a young shepherd tending his father’s sheep. David reveals the important role the shepherd plays in protecting and providing for his flock.
You can read Psalm 23 a thousand times in hundreds of Bible translations and the Holy Spirit would still reveal some new and wonderful revelation to your spirit about God’s goodness. I encourage you to read it often.
The Lord is my shepherd; (Psalm 23:1 KJV)
If Jesus is the Lord of your life, you can be certain that he is your GOOD shepherd, guiding, providing, and protecting you. Jesus often referred to himself this way, especially in John 10:1-21 where he contrasts the GOOD shepherd from the thief. The sheep that know the GOOD shepherd hear his voice and follow him.
I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1 KJV)
I like the rendering of the Aramaic Bible in English for this verse – “I shall lack nothing.” What a wonderful promise when you consider how much lack there is in the world. Jesus came to provide ALL your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical needs. Under the GOOD shepherd’s care, you truly lack NOTHING! There are many promises and examples of God providing for His children’s needs. But God wants you to grow beyond just the need stage, to where He is supplying your wants and desires too! He wants you so Blessed that you have an ever growing abundance, more than you would ever need or dream possible, so that He can use you as an instrument to Bless others. A life of lack makes it very difficult to be the giver and receiver, and sower and reaper, that God made you to be. God is El Shaddai – the God that is MORE THAN ENOUGH, or the ALL SUFFICIENT ONE, and Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 22:13-14) – the God THAT PROVIDES. He is not a deadbeat dad, nor does He want His children to wallow in poverty, lack, and selfish greed. (Genesis 24:35, Genesis 26:12-13, Deuteronomy 28:1-14, 1 Kings 3:13, Psalm 34, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 84, Psalm 85, Psalm 103, Psalm 112, Proverbs 3, Proverbs 8, Proverbs 10, Proverbs 11:24-25, Proverbs 19:17, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 6, Mark 10:27-31, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9, Galatians 6:6-10, Ephesians 3, Ephesians 4:17-32, Philippians 4:4-20, 1 Timothy 6)
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. (Psalm 23:2 NLT)
Sheep, like humans, are easily spooked. Alone, they are defenseless against a number of predators. They need the protection and watchful eye of the GOOD shepherd. If you listen for the voice of the GOOD shepherd, and remember, his sheep hear his voice, he will guide you to your place of peace. He will provide the living water you need to experience the abundant life he promised. (Psalm 36:8, Isaiah 49:10, John 4, John 10, Revelation 7:17)
He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3 AMP)
David goes from discussing temporal needs to spiritual needs. And again, the GOOD shepherd has provided everything. By his sacrifice and God’s mercy, we are new creations. By faith in the GOOD shepherd we are made righteous, or in right standing, with God. As promised, the GOOD shepherd laid down his life for the sheep. All who believe in him are reborn into God’s family. All like sheep had gone astray. They were all spiritually dead because of Adam and Eve’s sin. But all that believe in the Good shepherd are made spiritually alive in Christ. Praise God! (Psalm 103:3-12, Isaiah 1:18, John 3:1-21, Romans 3:20-31, 6:5-11, 8:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 NIV)
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