Psalm 23 - In God's Presence Lesson 1 Series

PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM

Because You are my Shepherd

I commit my needs to You.

Provide green pasture for me to rest in,

And still waters to quench my thirst.

Restore my soul when I am empty,

And lead me in right paths for Your name’s sake.

Be with me in danger when I walk,

Through the valley of the shadow of death.

Deliver me from evil,

And protect me with Your rod and staff.

Prepare a table to feed me.

So my enemies can see Your provision.

Anoint me with the oil of Your healing,

Let me drink from the full cup of Your provision.

Surely goodness and mercy will always follow me,

And I will live with You forever.

A. WHY IS THIS THE FAVORITE PSALM?

1. Easy to memorize. These six verses are a short “self-contained” picture of our relationship with God.

2. Intimate fellowship. Promises God’s comfort and protection when we remain close to the Shepherd.

3. Personalized identification. Demonstrates how our spiritual needs are met in the Lord.

4. It is a story. Has action, testimony, characterization, and plot.

5. Tells about the Lord. Israel knew God primarily by His power and holiness, but in Psalm 23, they learned of His personal love and compassion.

B. THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

1. What is meant if you do not call Him Lord?

a. If He is called God, Elohim, i.e., creative power, it implies an impersonal mighty Being. But this Psalm is about relationship.

b. If He is called Master, Adonai, i.e., It implies slaves to serve. But we are sheep to be cared for by the Lord.

c. If He is called King, Rock, Fortress, Almighty, or Holy One, it implies impersonal terms. But the term Lord is a term of personal relationship meaning you can get close to Him.

2. What does the word “is” imply?

a. Some only testify to past experiences with God, i.e., Duncan Campbell. “The Lord was my Shepherd.”

b. Some only plan to get close to the Lord-Shepherd in the future, i.e., the Lord will be my Shepherd.

3. What two things can I count on when I use the verb “is”?

a. Right now. The Lord will care and protect me today.

b. Right here. I do not have to go some place else to get into the Shepherd’s care.

4. What would it mean if the pronoun my were left out?

a. The Lord is a shepherd, means He is one among many. Who or what is your shepherd? Job? Family? Retirement fund?

b. The Lord is the shepherd, means He has the priority, but He is not personal. “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

c. The Lord is our shepherd, means He relates to a crowd. “I am only one among many.”

5. Why are we likened to sheep?

a. Stray. “All we like sheep have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6). “what man having a hundred sheep, if he lost one … will go after that which was lost” (Luke 15:4).

b. Satisfy self. Sheep will only eat what is in front of them.

c. No sense of danger. Sheep have no instinct to warn them of snakes, wolves, bears, parasites, etc.

d. Defenseless. Sheep have no weapons to defend themselves, no claws, teeth, fangs, etc. “The wolf catches the sheep” (John 10:12).

e. Dumb. “As a sheep before a shearer is dumb” (Isaiah 53:7).

f. Target of the enemy. “Grievous wolves shall enter, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).

6. Why is the Lord likened to a shepherd?

a. He know us. “I am the good Shepherd, and I know My sheep, and am known of mine’ (John 10:14).

b. He relates to us. “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:3-4).

c. He loves the sheep. “He (Jesus) was moved with compassion on them, because they were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

d. He provides for the sheep. “I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

e. He sacrifices for the sheep. “The good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:10). “I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:15).

f. He protects the sheep. “Thy servant (David) kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion … and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went after him … and caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him” (2 Samuel 17:34-35).

g. He feeds the sheep. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” (Psalm 23:5).

C. I SHALL NOT WANT