The Lord- the Shepherd of His People Psalm 23:1-6NLT
This psalm is probably the best known passage of the OT. It is a testimony by David to the Lord’s faithfulness throughout his life. As a hymn of confidence, it pictures the Lord as a disciple’s Shepherd-King-Host.
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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.
In these six verses the reader should take note that David unveils his personal relationship with the Lord in 3 stages.
David’s Exclamation. (He’s my shepherd.)
David’s Expectations. Vs.1b- 5b
I shall not want.
I will not fear.
David’s Exultation. (My cup runs over!)
Psalm 23, is brought up in times of grief, sorrow, fear and pain; however, pictures of David walking into the lush pastures, and the still waters can bring a mighty refreshment to anyone.
Just a note to remember. For Psalm 23 to become precious, ‘one’ has to live it out.
5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone. "It’s dark in there and I’m scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It’s OK--Jesus will be in there with you." Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"
Psalm 23:1TM God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
Listen to I Peter 2:25NLT Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
I Peter 5:4NLT And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
Throughout the Bible the Lord is seen as a shepherd. This imagery was commonly used for Kings and unto Jesus in the NT.
The great Shepherd in John 10:1-5NLT “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
Psalm 23:2TM You find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word,
This verse emphases the Lord’s grace and guidance.
Psalm 65:11-13NLT You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.12 The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. 13 The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!
In the over 3100 years of recorded world history, the world has only been at peace 8% of the time or a total of 286 years, and over 8000 treaties have been made and broken. During this period there have been 14,531 wars, large and small, in which 3,640,000,000 people have been killed.
Believers should inquire the Lord’s peace!
Psalm 23:3TM You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
The presence of the Lord renews your vitality.
Verse 3B...and send me in the right direction.
His guiding presence is always near.
Psalm 23:4TM Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
This phraseology used here conveys a perilously threatening environment.
Luke 1:78-79NLT Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
Psalm 30:5 His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a life-time. Weeping endures for the night, but Joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 23:4bNLT Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
The shepherd’s club and crook are viewed as comforting instruments of protection and direction.
Bill, a former corrections office, appears on a radio talk show to share his story with the founders of XXXChurch – a ministry to help people out of the pornography scene. Bill describes the way he was first exposed to pornography at his friend’s house at age 11. He was immediately addicted. After time, he turned to more and more graphic pornography. Years later, unknown to his wife, he became exposed to child pornography and collected it. The FBI arrested him, and he was convicted. He has lost his job, he lost his house and all he owned to pay legal fees, and this month he was sentenced to the equivalent of 9 years in jail. Bill’s assessment of where he’s at? He’s just glad he got caught. He’s just glad he got stopped before it got even worse, and he’ll gladly serve his term in a federal prison where he hopes to form a support group for porn addicts.
God’s initial correction isn’t that serious, can someone thank their Shepherd for correction!
Psalm 23:5TM You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
The biblical imagery of anointing is frequently associated with blessing.
Jesus said to Martha in Luke 7:46NLT You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.
Just as you appreciate the anointing, Jesus loves it too.
Psalm 23:6TM Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
David expects an ongoing intimate fellowship with His Lord.
I heard this little poem the other day, "Every house where the love of Christ abides, and His friendship is a guest, Is surely home, and home, sweet home; For there the heart can rest."
With the help of the Holy Spirit you don’t have to settle for less than His abiding help and rest!
Benediction.
