The Shepherd's Psalm

A. David made one of the great contributions to the world when he wrote Psalm 23.

1. “They tell me that David wrote the 23rd Psalm; I believe that I could have written it, David just beat me to it.” (Angel Martinez)

2. He wrote the Psalm in the twilight years of his life. After he had experienced all the sorrows, and the heartbreaks of life.

3. This Psalm has been memorized more than any other. It has blessed more people than any other. It has brought more comfort to breaking hearts more than any other.

B. This Psalm divides into three parts:

1. First David takes us into the GLEN, then he takes us down into the GORGE, and finally on into GLORY.

2. In the first part of the Psalm he introduces us to the One who can take care of our FRAILTY, then to the One who can take care of our FOES, and finally to the One who can take care of our FUTURE.

C. Someone outlined this Psalm:

1. Beneath Me - “green pastures”

2. Beside Me - “still waters”

3. With Me - “my shepherd”

4. Before Me - “a table”

5. Around Me - “mine enemies”

6. Upon Me - “anointing”

7. After Me - “goodness and mercy”

8. Beyond Me - “the house of the Lord”

D. Psalm 23 is found in a very peculiar place in the Bible. It is located between Psalm 22 and 24.

1. Psalm 22 tells about the cross; Psalm 24 about the crown.

2. Psalm 22 presents Christ in the Past; Psalm 23 presents Christ in Present; Psalm 24 shows Him in the Future.

3. Psalm 22 we see the justification of the believer; Psalm 23 we see the sanctification of the believer; Psalm 24 we see the glorification of the believer.

I. THE SHEPHERD’S PERSON (1)

A. A Person Regarded. “The LORD “LORD” is translated “Jehovah”. Jesus is the Perfect Shepherd.

1. The Good Shepherd – His Dying For Me. “I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” (Jno 10:10)

2. The Great Shepherd – His Living For Me. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,” (Heb 13:20)

3. The Chief Shepherd – His Coming For Me. “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:4)

B. A Possession Revealed. “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

1. David sounds a note of possession here. He doesn’t say Allah is my shepherd. He doesn’t say Buddha is my shepherd. He says Jehovah is my shepherd.

2. It is not enough to say that He is a Shepherd; not enough to say that He is the Shepherd. We must be able to say “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

3. He is more than “Pie in the sky, bye and bye.” He is my Shepherd now.

C. A Promise Remembered. “I shall not want.”

1. Several versions translate it differently. The New American Standard says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I do not want.” The Living Bible says, “Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.” The New Jerusalem Bible says, “I lack nothing.” Petersen’s Translation says, “I don’t need anything.” That’s the shepherd’s provision. That means if you will come to Jesus and let Him be your shepherd, you will be supplied.

2. People lack everything that makes life worthwhile and heaven sure.

“For there is no lack to them that fear Him”

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

“I have been young, and now am old: yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread.”

“No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

3. The devil has no happy old men. They have fame and fortune, but lack peace of heart.

4. If Jesus is your Shepherd - He’s all you need and He is all that matters. Max Lucado told about a man who had had a severe financial catastrophe. He came to his pastor and said, “I’ve lost everything.” The pastor said, “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost your character.” He said, “Oh, no, I haven’t lost my character. I’ve just lost everything.” “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost your faith.” “Oh, no, I still believe in God. I haven’t lost my faith.” “I’m so sorry you’ve lost your salvation.” Oh, no, preacher, I haven’t lost my salvation.” The pastor said, “Well, it seems to me if you haven’t lost your character and you haven’t lost your faith and haven’t lost your salvation, you haven’t lost anything that really matters.”