A psalm of David.

This is perhaps the best-known and best-loved of all the psalms.

‘God’s willingness to care for us by pasturing us in the appropriate places (i.e., meeting our every need, generously protecting us and benefiting us) is evident to those who are familiar with the psalm. And, of course, the psalmist knew well what very few modern readers know, that sheep are probably among the dumbest animals ever to walk on our planet. Despite the verb that comes to us in English from this occupation, one does not easily “herd” sheep. Our guess is that this frequent analogy in Scripture was not intended to flatter us! Rather, it serves as a constant reminder as to how greatly we need the great Shepherd’s tender, loving care.’ (Fee & Stuart, How To Reach The Bible For All Its Worth, p213)

23:1 The LORD is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.

The Lord is my shepherd –

Kidner:

‘David uses the most comprehensive and intimate metaphor yet encountered in the Psalms, preferring usually the more distant ‘king’ or ‘deliverer’, or the impersonal ‘rock’, ‘shield’, etc.; whereas the shepherd lives with his flock and is everything to it: guide, physician and protector.’

Elizabeth Elliot has told the story of a little girl who was very ill but who had learned to recite the 23rd Psalm on her fingers. Starting with her little finger, she would grab a finger as she said each word of ‘The Lord is my shepherd.’ As she said the word ‘shepherd’, she would clasp her thumb in recognition of the care God has for her. One morning, after a long and hard fight against her disease, the little girl was found dead. One hand was clasped around the other thumb. The Lord is her shepherd. He has made her lie down in green pastures. He has led her to quiet waters. Surely she will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

A paraphrase: The Television is my shepherd./My spiritual growth shall want./It maketh me to sit down and do nothing for its name sake, Because it requireth all my spare time./It keepeth me from doing my duty as a Christian, Because it presenteth so many shows that I must see./It restoreth my knowledge of the things of the world, and keepeth me from the study of God’s word./It leadeth me in the paths of failing to attend evening church services, and doing nothing for the Kingdom of God./Yea, though I live to be a hundred, I shall keep watching Television as long as it will work, For it is my closest companion. (Unknown)

Do I really belong to him? Do I really recognize his right to me? Do I respond to his authority and acknowledge his ownership? Do I find freedom and complete fulfillment in this arrangement? Do I sense a purpose and deep contentment because I am under his direction? Do I know rest and repose, beside a definite sense of exciting adventure, in belonging to him? Before I can say he is my shepherd, I need answers to these questions.

–A Shepherd Looks at Ps 23 by Philip Keller

Deut 26:16; Jn 10:27

23:2 He takes me to lush pastures,
he leads me to refreshing water.

He makes me lie down – ‘Phillip Keller, once a shepherd himself, in his book “A Shepherd Looks at Ps 23” relates that the strange thing about sheep is that because of their very makeup, it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met. First, due to their timidity, they must be free from all fear. Next, because of their sociability, they must be free from friction with others of their kind. Third, they must be free from flies or parasites if they are to relax. Lastly, they will not lie down unless free from hunger. It is only the shepherd who can provide release from all these anxieties. As our Good Shepherd, the Lord meets all these needs for us, so that we can “lie down in green pastures,” with our souls restored by his care.’ (Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, 412)

Lush pastures –

‘The pastures that this good shepherd has prepared for you, in which he has settled you for you to take your fill, are not various kinds of grasses and green things, among which some are sweet to the taste, some extremely bitter, which as the seasons succeed one another are sometimes there and sometimes not. Your pastures are the Word of God and his commandments, and they have all been sown as sweet grasses. These pastures had been tasted by that man who said to God, “How sweet are your words to my palate, more so than honey and the honeycomb in my mouth!” (Ps. 119:103).’ (Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 23, Q in Church History Study Bible)

Kidner: The shepherd, in contrast to the hireling, thinks and acts in the best interests of his flock.  God would not have taken on a flock if he did not have the same attitude towards them.

23:3 He restores my strength.
He leads me down the right paths
for the sake of his reputation.

He restores my strength – or ‘soul’.

Kidner: This may picture the retrieval of a straying sheep, or the reviving of a weak and sickly one:

‘In our context the two senses evidently interact, so that the retrieving or reviving of the sheep pictures the deeper renewal of the man of God, spiritually perverse or ailing as he may be.’

23:4 Even when I must walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff reassure me.

The darkest valley – Lit. ‘the valley of the shadow of death’

Kidner: This may be as much a ‘right path’ as the lush pasture, and this thought takes much of the sting out any ordeal.

An elderly man was out walking with his young grandson. “How far do you think we are from home?” he asked the boy. “Grandad, I don’t know,” came the reply. “Well, do you know where we are?” asked the old man. “No, I don’t.” “Sounds to me as if you’re lost.” The young boy looked at his grandfather and said, “No, I can’t be lost. I’m with you.”

23:5 You prepare a feast before me
in plain sight of my enemies.
You refresh my head with oil;
my cup is completely full.
23:6 Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days,
and I will live in the LORD’s house for the rest of my life.