This was a psalm of David. David is someone whom most of us can associate with. As we look at his life, He knew what it was like to be a lowly servant - as he served as a shepherd of actual sheep. He knew what it was like to be on the top of the social ladder - being the king and shepherd of thousands of human sheep the Israelites. He knew what sin was all about, having committed murder and adultery. He was a brilliant fighter, and an excellent musician. Maybe that’s why most of us know the story of David so well. Because we can all associate with him in some way or another.
He was a man who had a vast array of experiences. It seems to me, that this story by itself should be enough to peak our interest, knowing that this is the Word of God. So, in His mercy he tells us that this psalm was inspired through David. When we see that David wrote this psalm through inspiration of the Holy Spirit - our sinful ears are more apt to perk up immediately. When he said the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, 3 he restores my soul. It seems to be a peaceful picture!
David, the shepherd of sheep - said that the LORD was his shepherd. Notice the word Lord is spelled in capital letters. And when we see the Lord in all caps it means and stands for the ever- constant, never ending, unbroken, ceaseless God. The one who had consistently been there for the Israelites. The one that mercifully saved them from their slavery of the Egyptians. He is the one who led them through the desert - and brought them into the Promised-Land. Jesus identified Himself to be that Shepherd, and David knew that this LORD was his shepherd. And we should also know him as our shepherd.
And this is amazing, because other scriptures refer to God as our Rock and our Fortress. And what this statement means is that we can find shelter behind rocks and he provides a fortress for us from the enemies.
But when David says the Lord is His shepherd, what he is saying is that, our Lord is a living and personal God. One who carries us in his arms. He searches for us when we are lost. He takes a personal interest in us, and in the things that we do.
Somebody might ask, well how does this shepherd provide for us? Notice that He lets us lie down in green pastures, and then leads us beside quite waters. Now for the natural sheep, nothing can be better than when its shepherd feeds them in a pleasant green pasture, and near fresh water. Notice what the shepherd allows us to do. Not only does he allow us to graze on the green pastures, but he also allows us to lie down in them.
What are these green pastures symbolic of? It can be nothing else than the Word of God! As 1st Peter 2:2-3 says, as newborn babies, desires pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow thereby, 3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, good, kind and compassionate. Hearing the Word of God is like eating a great dinner. The first time it gets between your teeth, your mouth wants more. You can’t wait to chew on it, swallow it, and get some more. After you have eaten that meal, you want more and more. And that’s the way the Word of God is. Once you have tasted it, the more you will desire it. Now I understand psalms 34 and 8 better when it says, oh taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed it is the man that trusted in him.
So, back in the 23rd Psalm in verse 3 says that he restored my soul. When I have been through, when we have had our souls have been troubled, we don’t have to worry because he is able to restore us.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. To do what’s right, say what is right, and to act right. 4. Yea though, or even 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.
From the first part of this psalm, you might get the impression that Christianity is the easiest religion in the world just laying around in tall grass and drinking cool water. But any experienced Saint knows this is not the case. David makes that plain, because he shows where the shepherd leads his sheep. As they continue the path of righteousness, they could soon find out that this wonderfully refreshing stream could soon leads them through the valley of the shadow of death.
And we know this because Jesus own life gives us a clear illustration of this. When He was living on earth, He didn’t build himself a nice palace chilling with servants washing his feet and feeding him grapes. Nall He went down in the valley of death. Every day of his public ministry, he faced false prophets, he was dealing with the Pharisees and Sadducees. Many days he went without a place to even lay his head. All of this was on the way to his eternal destiny, the cross. Many have been through this valley. Paul when through this valley, Moses, when through this valley, the Hebrew boys went through this valley, and Jesus had to go through this valley so that He could pay for the sins of the world.
And Jesus says to His followers, “if you want to follow me - pick up your cross and follow me. Or go down in the valley of darkness with me. And I’ve got to tell you that in this valley you will see that you will suffer ridicule. You will suffer pain, and you will suffer some heartache.
But why do we have to go through this valley? Didn’t Jesus already suffer enough for our sins? Yes, he did. But the only way you can make a horse drink is by making it thirsty. The lesson here is that some of us wouldn’t ever pray if we didn’t see some valley times, because we would feel there not a need to pray to God. But that’s why we must visit the valley every now and then. Because it’s in the valley we will see some troubles; but know that trouble won’t last always. In the valley, we will see some heartaches, but know, that trouble heartaches and pain will soon be over. In the valley, we will encounter some mountains, but we have to know, that we have a mountain mover.
Then there is the path of righteousness. Jesus righteousness leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. Because it’s only when we meet death that we will be able to be with our Lord forever. That’s why Paul said, “I desire to depart and be with Christ which is better by far. The only way to heaven is through the valley of the shadow of death on the pathway of Christ’s righteousness.
Again, what gives us comfort on this pathway? The rod and staff of God. The rod was used by a shepherd to fight off the wild animals. And the staff was used to help guide the sheep.
Again, the Word of God, and only the Word of God will fight off the demons. Only the staff of God will assure us that God is still protecting us through this veil of tears. Only God’s Word will guide us to Christ and his righteousness throughout our lives. And someone might ask why does God mercy lead us on this path? And here is the answer, only for his name sake. Because He is our merciful LORD and he is a gracious Savior.
In vs. 5 he prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. And he anoints my head with oil; my cup overflows.
God prepares a feast for us to eat against, even when the devil and his imps tries to attack me. In other words, the Lord will provide a smorgasbord for me in my enemies face even when they try to starve me. Also, this feast is the Word of God.
And it’s through that Word that God anoints our head with oil and fills our cups to overflowing statues. You have to know that oil was used in times of joy and celebration in the Old Testament. It smelled good, and it felt good. Priests and kings were customarily anointed with it. When the Jews had their festivals and wished to be happy, they would pull out the oil and anoint or sprinkle themselves with such precious oil. And then oil was used to assign to a certain assignment in ministry and to be sent out. He anoints my head with oil.
And then verse 6 says, Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
In other words, God has promised great things to us.
He has promised us that he will take care of me.
He has promise that he will watch out for me.
He has promise that I will never leave you nor forsake you.
He promises that he would be my provider.
He promises, that he would be the lifter of my head.
And he promises that he would be my comforter.
So therefore, when look at the 23rd number of Psalms I would have dissect this way
When he says that the Lord is my shepherd, I know that-that is relationship.
When he says I shall not want-that his supply.
When he says he maketh me to lie down in green pasture-I know that’s rest.
When he says he leadeth me besides the still waters-that refreshment.
He restoreth my soul-that’s healing.
He leadeth me in the path of righteousness-that’s guidance.
For his name sake-that’s purpose.
Yeah, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death-that’s testing.
I will fear no evil-that’s protection.
For thou art with me-that’s faithfulness.
Thy rod and thy staff comfort me-that’s discipline.
Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies-that’s hope.
Thou anointed my head with oil-that’s consecration.
My cup runneth over-that’s abundance.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life-that’s a blessing.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord-that’s security.
But when it says forever, somebody say forever-that’s eternity.
Some years ago, at a family function, one of the family members were asked to recite a poem that he knew.
And He said I don’t mind, and then asked if there was anything special that his family would like to hear. And nobody said a word but after a moment’s pause, an old preached said: "Could you, sir, recite to us the Twenty-third Psalm? And a strange look passed over his face; he paused for a moment, and then said: I can, and I will, upon one condition; and that is that after I have recited it, you, my friend, will do the same."
I, heard the old preacher say, in surprise. "But I am not a elocutionist like you are. My speech is not as clear as yours. However, you wish it, I will do so."
Impressively, the man began the psalm. His voice and his intonation were perfect. He held the family spellbound; and as he finished, a great burst of applause broke from the everyone.
Then, as the applause died down, the old preacher arose to his feet and began the psalm. His voice was not so remarkable; his tone was not good at all.
And when he had finished, no sound of applause broke out. And there was silence in the house, but one thing was notice about the family and that was there was not a dry eye in the room, and many heads were bowed.
Then the young man rose to his feet again. His voice was all shook up and his head was bowed down. And as he laid his hand upon the shoulder of the old preacher and said to the crowd: I reached your eyes, and I reached you ears, but he reached your hearts.
The difference is just this: I know the Twenty-third Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd."
And all I want to know is do you know the shepherd?
