However, when you look at the entire Psalm 23 in it’s context, which isn’t very long, only 6 verses, it is clearly a song of praise to God for who He is and what He is able to do! In this Psalm, David describes God as a shepherd. And guess what? David knows well the role of a shepherd. After all, he was a shepherd before he killed Goliath, and before he became king! David knew very well the relationship between himself as a shepherd, and the sheep that he overlooked and took care of.
And it is a close relationship — between a real shepherd in the field and his sheep. The shepherd knows his sheep, and the sheep know the shepherd’s voice. The sheep are totally dependent on the shepherd to be guided, protected, provided for, and cared for.
So as we read Psalm 23, you will clearly see that David is boasting about God through the lens of a shepherd. This Psalm is a song of praise. After all, what is praise? How would you define it? I define praise as simply boasting about God — and that can be addressed to others (God is an awesome God) or addressed directly to Him (God You are an awesome God). Praise is shining the spotlight on God — for who He is and what He is able to do.
Psalm 23, a song of praise, when read with sincerity, can be used as an expression of worship. If you want words to worship God, just use Psalm 23 as your words.
So here’s Psalm 23 in its entirety — only 6 verses long. This is the New King James version:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. \Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Here’s what I want to do — go through this Psalm and let Psalm 23 reveal the 5 things that God does for me.
1) HE PROVIDES FOR ME. This is revealed in verse one.
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The role of a shepherd is to lead, to provide, and to protect. David sees the Lord as his personal shepherd. And we should to! Jesus is our shepherd — “the good shepherd”. Jesus describes Himself that way.
(John 10:14 the words of Jesus) “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
Verse 1 ends with “I shall not want”. In other words, I have all that I need.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.=
So….
1) HE PROVIDES FOR ME and also..
2) HE GIVES ME PEACE
This is found in verse 2.
Psalm 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
This verse gives us a visual of beautiful green pastures and calm, still waters. It's the perfect picture of peace — the inner peace that only God can provide. So…
1) HE PROVIDES FOR ME
2) HE GIVES ME PEACE and also...
3) HE GUIDES ME
This is found in verse 3.
Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Actually I think “He restores my soul” should be part of verse 2. Remember in the original, there were no chapters and verses just one continuous letter. So it makes a lot of sense to say verse 2 like this: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul.” Then verse 3: He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
God guides us. How? Through the Holy Spirit that we have in us. The Holy Spirit prompts us, guides us, convicts us, and leads us.
Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
So….we learn in Psalm 23 that…
1) HE PROVIDES FOR ME
2) HE GIVES ME PEACE
3) HE GUIDES ME and also…
4) HE PROTECTS ME
This is found in verses 4 and 5. Notice that these verses are addressed directly to God.
Psalm 23:4-5 Yea, 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
This verse gives us the confidence that, though there may be danger around us, we don’t need to fear because God is right with us. David uses the visual of a rod and staff. A shepherds rod was like a “billy club” used to fight off any predators. The staff with a hook on the end was more for gentle prodding or guiding. Knowing that God is there to protect us gives us comfort and confidence. Even in the midst of danger, we sit at God’s table.
So….we learn in Psalm 23 that…
1) HE PROVIDES FOR ME
2) HE GIVES ME PEACE
3) HE GUIDES ME
4) HE PROTECTS ME and also…
5) HE BLESSES ME
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
This last verse is filled with confident hope — of God's goodness, grace and mercy that is with us all the days of our lives. And with the hope of eternal life with the Lord.
Let’s read Psalm 23, all 6 verses: This time I’m going to use the New Living Translation — same meaning, just a bit different wording. And you tell me — is this a funeral dirge, or a song of praise to be used for everyday life?
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
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