The Lord is My Shepherd
Introduction
Psalm 23
1 A Psalm of David. 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.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
The Lord! Being my Lord means He owns me, and I was bought with a price. My value was set at nothing less than the life of the Son of the Most High. His blood was the requirement for my purchase and pardon. Yes, I was bought at a very high price.
Isa 43:3,4 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
In times past, God sacrificed nations and people for others, but for me, He sacrificed Himself.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He gave His only begotten Son, just for me! I am His, deeply loved and cherished, and He is proud to call me His own, even His child.
The Lord as Shepherd
A lord or owner is not always the shepherd. But when he is, he’s most likely to be a great one — treating the sheep with tender love and care.
Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
My Lord, my Owner, and my Father — a better Father than any could ever be — says He’s my Shepherd.
He doesn’t need to be; He could delegate this task. But I’m too precious in His eyes to entrust to another. He loves me too much to risk me being mishandled. This means I am in good, capable hands.
When Scripture says the Lord is my Shepherd, it means He takes responsibility for my upkeep, safety, health, direction, value, provision, and shelter. Everything that concerns me becomes His concern.
Sheep and Trust
Being a sheep means I must be able to be instructed and led. Unlike a goat, a sheep is submissive.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
My provision, safety, and purpose are not my concern — they are His. That’s why “I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
My Provision
He will lead me to green pastures — abundant provision. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” (Psalm 23:2)
Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
He will not withhold any good thing from me. He will fulfill the desires of my heart and grant the requests of my lips.
Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Still Waters and Restoration
“He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” (Psalm 23:2–3) This means He takes me to safe sources of sustenance. The still waters and green pastures are not the destination; they are rest stops along the journey. God knows I will always need restoration, so He places these points strategically to meet me in my need.
Psa_69:3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
When I am weary and near fainting, He restores my soul. The Holy Spirit is my living water, sustaining and guiding me.
The Path of Righteousness
“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3)
There is a path, the path of righteousness. where He leads me for His name’s sake. This is the journey every child of God must take. But I am not alone; He is on the path with me, and so is His flock, the Church.
Even if “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.” (Psalm 23:4)
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
He has already conquered and defeated death. What we would walk through is a projection, not real, just a shadow. But He knows that the devil can project against us in such a manner as to instil fear and to assure us, He chooses to walk with us. The rod and staff are our comfort because He uses them to ward off predators and to steer me back when I stray.
The Table Before Me
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” (Psalm 23:5)
Mat 15:26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
At this table is abundance, more than I could ever imagine. It is prepared with me in mind.
“Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (Psalm 23:5)
He anoints my head lavishly for identification, preservation, healing, and honor. My cup overflows, never empty, always refreshed.
Goodness and Mercy
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6)
Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
His goodness and mercy do not merely follow me; they pursue me. He knows my fears and failings yet chooses to be good to me and to show me mercy.
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” (Psalm 23:6)
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
The house of the Lord is the final destination. He will allocate a dwelling place for me in His house, forever.
Conclusion
He is talking to sheep, those who are willing to follow his direction and guidance. He has given assurance of continued presence, even when it does not feel like He is present.
Is He your shepherd? Are you willing to have His leadership? You have to submit to His leadership and guidance, for “under His wings shall thou trust” (Ps 91:4). Call upon Him for He is at the door of your heart knocking, seeking to enter and have communion with you. Would you heed this call?
I am too convinced, too well cared for, to walk alone on uncharted paths without protection or security. He is indeed my Shepherd, and in Him, I am fulfilled.