Psa 23 | MHM | STEP | The Lord Is My Shepherd This well-known psalm is a song of trust, comfort, and confidence in God as our guide and provider. It is written by David, who himself was a shepherd, and he uses that experience to describe the care and protection God gives to his people. Many of David’s psalms are full of complaints, but this one is full of comforts—expressions of delight in God’s great goodness and dependence upon him. It is a psalm which has been sung by good Christians in every age, and will be while the world stands, bringing much pleasure and satisfaction. Here, the psalmist claims a personal relation to God as my shepherd , recounts his experience of God’s kindness, and draws from this the conclusion that I shall not want anything truly good for him (Ps. 23:1 ). From three very comfortable premises, David draws three very comfortable conclusions, and teaches us to do the same. We are saved by hope—a hope that will not make us ashamed, because it is well grounded. Christians are here encouraged to take comfort both from the relation in which God stands to them and from the experience they have had of his goodness in that relation. I. The psalmist’s claim: The LORD is my shepherd . See here, first, the great care that God takes of believers. He is their shepherd, and they may call him so. David himself was once a shepherd, taken from following the ewes with young (Ps. 78:70–71 ), and so he knew by experience the cares and tender affections of a good shepherd toward his flock. He remembered how much the sheep needed a shepherd, and what a kindness it was to have one who was skilful and faithful—one who would even risk his life to rescue a lamb. By this, David illustrates God’s care for his people; and to this our Saviour refers when he says, I am the good shepherd (John 10:11 ). He who is the shepherd of Israel, of the whole church in general (Ps. 80:1 ), is also the shepherd of every particular believer; the weakest and most obscure are not beneath his notice (Isa. 40:11 ). He takes them into his fold, cares for them, protects them, and provides for them with more constancy and tenderness than any earthly shepherd. If God is as a shepherd to us, we must be as sheep to him: inoffensive, meek, and quiet; silent before the shearers, and even before the butcher; useful and sociable. We must know the shepherd’s voice and follow him wherever he leads. II. The believer’s confidence: I shall not want . If the LORD is my shepherd —my feeder, my guide, my keeper—then I may boldly conclude I shall not want anything that is truly necessary and good for me. If David wrote this psalm before he came to the throne, though destined for it, he had as much reason to fear want as any man. Once he sent his men begging to Nabal, and another time went himself to Ahimelech for bread; yet, considering that God is his shepherd, he can boldly say, I shall not want . Let not those fear starving who are at God’s finding and have him for their feeder. More is implied than is expressed—not only I shall not want , but “I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and if I do not have everything I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me, not good for me, or I shall have it in due time.”

‏ Psalms 23

The Lord Is My Shepherd

This well-known psalm is a song of trust, comfort, and confidence in God as our guide and provider. It is written by David, who himself was a shepherd, and he uses that experience to describe the care and protection God gives to his people. Many of David’s psalms are full of complaints, but this one is full of comforts—expressions of delight in God’s great goodness and dependence upon him. It is a psalm which has been sung by good Christians in every age, and will be while the world stands, bringing much pleasure and satisfaction. Here, the psalmist claims a personal relation to God as my shepherd, recounts his experience of God’s kindness, and draws from this the conclusion that I shall not want anything truly good for him (Ps. 23:1 ^a).

From three very comfortable premises, David draws three very comfortable conclusions, and teaches us to do the same. We are saved by hope—a hope that will not make us ashamed, because it is well grounded. Christians are here encouraged to take comfort both from the relation in which God stands to them and from the experience they have had of his goodness in that relation.

I. The psalmist’s claim: The LORD is my shepherd. See here, first, the great care that God takes of believers. He is their shepherd, and they may call him so. David himself was once a shepherd, taken from following the ewes with young (Ps. 78:70–71 ^b), and so he knew by experience the cares and tender affections of a good shepherd toward his flock. He remembered how much the sheep needed a shepherd, and what a kindness it was to have one who was skilful and faithful—one who would even risk his life to rescue a lamb. By this, David illustrates God’s care for his people; and to this our Saviour refers when he says, I am the good shepherd (John 10:11 ^c). He who is the shepherd of Israel, of the whole church in general (Ps. 80:1 ^d), is also the shepherd of every particular believer; the weakest and most obscure are not beneath his notice (Isa. 40:11 ^e). He takes them into his fold, cares for them, protects them, and provides for them with more constancy and tenderness than any earthly shepherd. If God is as a shepherd to us, we must be as sheep to him: inoffensive, meek, and quiet; silent before the shearers, and even before the butcher; useful and sociable. We must know the shepherd’s voice and follow him wherever he leads.

II. The believer’s confidence: I shall not want. If the LORD is my shepherd—my feeder, my guide, my keeper—then I may boldly conclude I shall not want anything that is truly necessary and good for me. If David wrote this psalm before he came to the throne, though destined for it, he had as much reason to fear want as any man. Once he sent his men begging to Nabal, and another time went himself to Ahimelech for bread; yet, considering that God is his shepherd, he can boldly say, I shall not want. Let not those fear starving who are at God’s finding and have him for their feeder. More is implied than is expressed—not only I shall not want, but “I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and if I do not have everything I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me, not good for me, or I shall have it in due time.”

The Comforts of a Living Saint

Here David describes the blessings of having the Lord as his shepherd. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures—this speaks of the supports and comforts of life that come from God’s good hand. Even a little, when received from God and enjoyed with faith, is a green pasture to the godly (Ps. 37:16; Prov. 15:16–17 ^f). God’s ordinances are these green pastures, where the soul is nourished and refreshed. He gives his people not only provision, but also peace and contentment, so that their souls dwell at ease in him, making every pasture green. Let us not be content to pass through these pastures, but to lie down in them—abiding in God’s means of grace for continual nourishment.

He leadeth me beside the still waters—God not only provides food and rest, but also refreshment and pleasure. The still waters are the consolations of God, the joys of the Holy Spirit, which revive the weary soul. God leads his people not to troubled or stagnant waters, but to quiet, running streams that best suit the spirit of those who seek him. Those who feed on God’s goodness must also follow his direction, as he guides by his providence, word, and Spirit, arranging all for their good.

He restoreth my soul—God helps his people when anything ails them. [1.] He restores when they wander. Like sheep, believers are prone to go astray and unable to return on their own (Ps. 119:176 ^g). But God, in mercy, brings them back, giving repentance and restoring the soul. Though he may allow his people to fall, he will not let them remain fallen. [2.] He recovers and revives when they are faint or sick, for he is the Lord who heals (Exod. 15:26 ^h). Many times we would have fainted, but the good shepherd keeps us from failing.

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake—God’s guidance is not only for comfort, but for holiness. He instructs by his word and directs by conscience and providence, leading his people in the way of duty. The truly pleasant way is the way of righteousness, and only those who walk in these paths enjoy the still waters of comfort. All this is done not for our merit, but for his name’s sake—in faithfulness to his word and for the glory of his character.

The Courage of a Dying Saint

Having experienced God’s goodness all his days, David is confident even in the face of death. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death—even in the greatest dangers, deep and dark as death itself, the believer need not be afraid. For God’s people, it is but the shadow of death—no real evil, only the appearance. The valley may be deep and dark, but it is fruitful, and the walk through it is gentle, not a chase. It is a walk through, not into, the valley; the believer will come safely to the other side.

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me—Death is a king of terrors, but not to Christ’s sheep. The believer can meet death with holy calm, knowing that God’s presence is with him. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me—God’s word and Spirit, his guidance and protection, are a comfort in life and in death. The rod may refer to the shepherd’s crook, used to count and guide the sheep (Lev. 27:32 ⁱ), or to defend them from harm. The gospel is called the rod of Christ’s strength (Ps. 110:2 ^j), and there is enough in that to comfort the saints even in their final hour, for underneath are the everlasting arms.

The Abundant Provision of God

Thou preparest a table before me — Here David magnifies the gracious care of God, who provides all things needed for both body and soul, for this life and for eternity. God is not only a shepherd but a generous host, spreading a table with thoughtful care and hospitality. The table is not hastily set, but prepared before me, showing that God’s blessings are deliberate and personal. David acknowledges that he has food and drink in abundance: a table spread, a cup filled, all that is necessary for his hunger and thirst. More than that, he is not limited or lacking, but enjoys overflowing blessings: my cup runneth over — God’s grace is not just sufficient, but abundant, more than enough for himself and for others. He also receives honor and delight: thou anointest my head with oil, a sign of welcome and joy, as was done for honored guests (Luke 7:46 ^k). Some see in this an image of the tender care shown to the poor man’s ewe-lamb (2 Sam. 12:3 ^l), cherished and provided for in every way. In all this, God’s people are well supplied for every need—physical and spiritual, for now and for eternity. If we lack in earthly things, God’s spiritual blessings more than make up the difference.

The Certainty of Lifelong Mercy and Eternal Fellowship

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life — David’s confidence grows as he reflects on God’s faithfulness. He is sure that God’s goodness and mercy—pardoning, protecting, sustaining, and supplying—will pursue him wherever he goes, just as the water from the rock followed Israel in the wilderness (1 Cor. 10:4 ^m). This mercy is not occasional, but constant: it shall follow him all the days of my life, renewed every morning like manna from heaven (Lam. 3:22–23 ⁿ). The word Surely makes this promise certain and unshakable, as sure as God’s own word. David’s hope looks beyond this life: I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever — not only enjoying God’s presence now, but looking forward to eternal fellowship in God’s heavenly home. This is also David’s covenant: to remain close to God, to worship and serve him as a devoted servant, making God’s house his continual dwelling and delight. Those who wish to enjoy the fullness of God’s blessings must also keep close to the duties and joys of his house.