Psalms 23:1-6 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”
I. David's Relationship to the Lord was PERSONAL. “my shepherd.”
His by virtue of :-
(a) Decision ie. David wasn't born Saved. A Moment Of Decision
(b) Determination ie. The Lord is my shepherd ie. present tense
some believe the psalm was written during the rebellion of Absalom his son.
Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: (Paul before Agrippa)
(c) Dedication ie. The Lord Not only A Shepherd, not only THE Shepherd,
but My Shepherd. The Saviour is mine and I am His.
II. David's Relationship to the Lord was PRESENT. “Lord is my shepherd.” Not was, but is. Not shall be, but is. “Is” is present tense.
He “maketh” me to lie down (v. 2), He “leadeth” me beside the still waters (v. 2),
He “restoreth” my soul (v. 3), He “anointeth” my head with oil (v. 5),
my cup “runneth over” (v. 5) all are in the present tense.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
III. David's Relationship to the Lord was PRACTICAL. "I shall not want"
or better still “I shall not worry.”
Why? Because it is the Shepherd's business to care for the sheep.
Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
“He knows, He loves, He cares, Nothing this truth can dim;
He gives the very best to those, who leave the choice to Him.”
He Provides :-
1. REST 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
2. REFRESHMENT he leadeth me beside the still waters. (Philippians 4:19).
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
3. RESTORATION 3 He restoreth my soul: ie. David's Sin
4. RIGHTEOUSNESS he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness (Psalms 37:23)
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
5. REASSURANCE 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Moses encouragement To Israel on Entering Canaan
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
I. HIS PERCEPTION NEVER FAILS
Job 36:7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
A. He knows EVERY Sorrow B. EVERY Strain C.EVERY Sin Heb. 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
II. HIS PITY (COMPASSION) NEVER FAILS
Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
A. He Hurts when we hurt B. He Hears when we call C. He Helps when we are in danger
III. HIS POWER NEVER FAILS
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
A. He has Power for every Task
B. Peace for every Trial
C. & Praise for every Triumph "Well Done"
IV. HIS PROMISE NEVER FAILS
Solomon's Prayer 1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
A. You can count on His promise of Deliverance. Acts 16:31
B. You can count on His promise of Delight John 14
C. You can count on His promise of Damnation John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
V. HIS PEACE NEVER FAILS
Romans 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
A. He has Sufficient peace - B. Saving peace - Rom. 5:1 C. Sustaining peace - Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
VI. HIS PRESENCE NEVER FAILS
Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
A. To Encourage B. To Explain C. To Equip
VII. HIS PROTECTION NEVER FAILS
Isaiah 33:2 O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
A. Sometimes He protects us FROM temptation (trials)
B. Sometimes He protects us WITH temptation He uses the problem to strengthen us
C. ALWAYS He protects us THROUGH temptation. Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
IV. David's Relationship to the Lord was PERMANENT.
6 "and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
Christ has gone to prepare a place for us: “In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). The Spirit of God is preparing the people, while the Son of God is preparing the place
So David begins this Psalm with the words “The Lord” in time in verse 1
and ends with Him in eternity in verse 6: “the Lord forever.”
And all in between is what David has found Him to be.
