Psalm 23 — The Lord Is My Shepherd
Introduction: In this psalm, David, the shepherd called of God to become a king, sings praise to the chief shepherd of his soul, because he thoroughly understood that he needed care and leading from someone greater than himself. He knew from his own experience how he had taken great care with the family sheep of his father Jesse; and Jesus is the shepherd of the heavenly Father’s sheep. Not one sheep was to be lost from the hand of either shepherd because they were willing even to lay down their life for their sheep. However, when Jesus laid down his life, he was able to take it up again, and his resurrection guarantees the eternal care for our souls that is obtainable in no other way. John 10 “11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.” Praise God that our shepherd cares for his own!
Verse 1 — Composite Amplified Paraphrase
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; therefore, I shall not be in want.
Comments: David was a faithful shepherd, who provided for and protected his sheep, before he became a king. 1 Samuel 17 “34 Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.” Jesus, from the line of David is our ever-faithful shepherd for all time, and is the king of all kings because he is the maker of all. Psalm 95 “6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” Hearing and responding to his voice in faith makes us part of his eternal flock. John 10 “27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” The writer of Hebrews gave us another reference regarding the great shepherd. Hebrews 13 “20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Verse 2 — Composite Amplified Paraphrase
2 He causes me to lie down in rest in pastures of tender green grass: he gives me guidance beside the peaceful quiet waters of refreshment.
Comments: Pastures of tender and nourishing green grass are an aromatic delight, and a supply of health and growth for a flock of sheep. The metaphor portrays the comfort of being at rest in the midst of plenty, not restlessly seeking to fulfill our need. Even before this psalm was written, the LORD made a promise to Moses about his provision of rest for Israel. Exodus 33 “14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” Ezekiel 34 “15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.” When Christ appeared, he made an open offer of rest to Jew and gentile alike, because all carry a burden of sin. Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Hebrews 4 “1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest.”
Verse 3 — Composite Amplified Paraphrase
3 He restores, renews, refreshes, converts, and gives new life to my soul: he leads and guides me in the straight paths of his righteousness and justice for the sake of his name.
Comments: If I have many troubles in my life, may I learn from Job about the way God is faithful to restore those who in faith, confess sin and accept God’s salvation. Job 33 “27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.” Psalm 116 “7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” Our confidence in our salvation from the penalty of sin should be further bolstered because it is not based on our worthiness, but it is all for his glory, to preserve the honor of his holy name. 1 Samuel 12:22 “For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.” Psalm 143:11 “Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.” 1 John 2:12 “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.”
Verse 4 — Composite Amplified Paraphrase
4 Yes, it is so, though I walk through the valley of, and in the midst of, the shadow of death, I will fear no evil or harm: for you are with me; your rod and your staff give me comfort and encourage me.
Comments: The imagery of the “shadow of death” can convey a multiplicity of thoughts: one important quality to consider is that when light completely surrounds an object, all shadows are eliminated. We should seek the light and life found in Christ Jesus, because then the ever-present shadow of death in the world will not be a threat to us. Psalm 107 “13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.” Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Verse 5 — Composite Amplified Paraphrase
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Comments: The phrase “Prepare a table in the presence of my enemies” is unique to Psalm 23, and all who are in this fallen world as children of God are in the presence of the unsaved, who are the enemies of God and of his children. The children of Israel doubted God’s ability to provide after he had brought them out of bondage in Egypt. Psalm 78 “19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” And Jesus prayed for our protection while we remain in the world after our salvation from sin. John 17:15 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” The cup overflowing with goodness has example in other scripture as well. Psalm 116:13 “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.”
Verse 6 — Composite Amplified Paraphrase
6 Surely goodness, mercy, and lovingkindness shall follow and cling to me all the days of my life: and I will have a place in the house of the LORD forever.
Comments: Psalm 86:5 “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalm 106:1 “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Even extreme suffering while in the world cannot diminish the glory of being in the household of the Lord. Job 19 “25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Our identity as God’s creation exists beyond the grave as promised by our Lord. John 11 “25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Romans 6:22 “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, you are the shepherd of my soul, powerful and kind to supply as you determine, so I am confident that I will not be in want. You feed my soul in pastures of tender grass and guide me the streams of quiet waters. You give new life to my soul as you lead me in the straight paths of your righteousness for the sake of your name. Yes, It is so, though I walk through the valley of, and in the midst of, the shadow of death, I will fear no evil or harm: for you are with me; the rod and staff of my great shepherd give me comfort and encourage me. You prepare a table before me while I am still in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil to refresh my spirit; the cup of my salvation overflows. Surely, your goodness and mercy shall cling to me all the days of my life: and I will have a place in the house of the LORD forever. Amen.
Published 14 March 2006