Psalm 23
“Shepherd and Friend” “Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Its peace is not escape; its contentment is not complacency: there is readiness to face deep darkness and imminent attack, and the climax reveals a love which homes toward no material goal but to the Lord Himself” (Kidner p. 109). “Some suspect that David penned this psalm in his youthful days while tending the flock belonging to his father. However, most agree that these words were written by an older David as he had already experienced the ins and outs of life…Others speculate that David wrote these stirring words while seeking refuge from Absalom” 1 “Alexander Maclaren said that ‘the world could spare many a large book better than this sunny little psalm’” (Boice p. 207).
The Shepherd 23:1 The Lord, as often in the psalms, occupies here the first and emphatic place. The word “Lord” here is the English translation of “Yahweh”, the great Old Testament personal name of God, which was first disclosed to Moses in Exodus 3. The name literally means, “I am who I am”. “Chiefly, it refers to God’s timeless, on the one hand, and to His self-sufficiency, on the other” (Boice p. 207). This means that God is self-existent and doesn’t need anything and doesn’t depend upon anything for His existence or significance. God is also timelessness, and therefore He always remains the same. 23:1 Boice notes that in ancient times, the “shepherd” and his work was often considered the lowest of all works. If a family needed a shepherd, it was always the youngest son, like David, who got this assignment. Shepherds had to live with the sheep twenty-four hours a day, and the task of caring for them was unending. “Day and night, summer and winter, in fair weather and foul, they labored to nourish, guide, and protect the sheep. Who in his right mind would choose to be a shepherd? Yet Jehovah has chosen to be our shepherd…The great God of the universe has stooped to take just such care of you and me” (Boice pp. 207-208). In the New Testament, Jesus is called our shepherd (John 10; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4). Here is just one more bit of evidence that 1
The Book Of Psalms, The Eighth Annual Southwest Lectures, Bill Jackson Editor, pp. 130-131. 1
reinforces the claim that Jesus is God, for Jesus is consistently applying to Himself titles that had been applied to God. In the Old Testament, Jehovah was the shepherd, in the New Testament, Jesus claims to be the good shepherd. “In the word shepherd, David uses the most comprehensive and intimate metaphor yet encountered in the Psalms, preferring usually the more distant ‘king’ or ‘deliverer’, or the impersonal ‘rock’, ‘shield’, etc.; whereas the shepherd lives with his flock and is everything to it: guide; physician and protector” (Kidner pp. 109-110). 23:1 “I shall not want”: Left to themselves, sheep lack everything. The same is true for man apart from God. We are helpless and blind apart from God’s protection and guidance (Jeremiah 10:23). David was convinced that God would meet all his real needs. Sadly, some people are convinced that living the Christian life means living a deprived life. David didn’t view the life of the faithful as “I can’t do this and I can’t do that”. Rather, he saw guidance, protection, nourishment, and fulfillment. 23:2 “In our frantic life God desires our rest…The place of rest is ‘green pastures’. The Hebrew word used here means ‘fresh shoots’. God does not intend to rest His sheep in hospital beds but gives them lush meadows where they can graze and enjoy soft grass” (Williams p. 184). Note, God is concerned about His flock, He is unlike the hireling, He thinks and observes in terms of what the flock needs. God would have never created us if He hadn’t intended on taking good care of us! “The ‘green pastures’ are the rich and verdant pastures, where the sheep need not move from place to place to be satisfied” (Gaebelein p. 216). The “quiet waters” are wells or springs where the sheep can drink without being rushed. This verse stresses the fact that a relationship with God, far from being restrictive, is refreshing, nourishing and satisfying. I am also impressed that when we come to God, we find “rest” (Matthew 11:28; John 6:35; 14:27). God enables believers to rest without worry and anxiety (1 Peter 5:7). If God is for us, we don’t have to keep looking over our shoulder. How many people in world are so stressed, anxious or worried, that they can’t even enjoy the blessings that they do have? God isn’t a slave driver! God leads His sheep, allows them to feed without being disturbed, and leads them to the best food and water. But how many people view God as a slave driver? 23:3 “He restores my soul”: It may picture the straying sheep who is brought back, or some form of spiritual renewal. Boice believes that the expression means or can mean that God “brings me to repentance”. Phillip Keller reminds us that part of the task of the shepherd is to restore sheep who have rolled over and are now unable to get up. In addition, by guiding us and giving us spiritual nourishment, we are renewed and encouraged. How often has prayer or a Bible Study given you a “second wind”? (2 Corinthians 4:16). The faithful person
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isn’t discouraged by God’s expectations or commands, rather he or she is greatly encouraged, excited and refreshed (Psalm 19). 23:3 “He guides me in the paths of righteousness”: Means no more than “right paths”. There is a right way to life, and such a way is revealed in the word of God (Matthew 7:13-14). Such paths include, doing the will of the Father (Matthew 6:10; 7:21), and putting God first in every aspect of our lives (Matthew 6:33). He guides us in such paths and we are to walk in such paths, “For His name’s sake”. That is, for the sake of His character and reputation. “He does all this because He has a reputation among His saints for faithful dealings with them a reputation which must be cautiously upheld” (Leupold p. 212). Point To Note: If professed Christians complain about the commands which God has given, what are they saying about the “good Shepherd” Who is guiding us with those rules? Note, our ways and attitudes either vindicate or shame our Shepherd. Notice the faith on the part of David. David knew that God would never command him to do something that was wrong or something that wasn’t in his best interest. The word “righteousness” suggests that such paths are “right”, the type of path that would bring sheep most directly to their destination. Note, at times such paths do bring us near persecution and the shadow of death. 23:4 This verse could be summarized, “I shall not lack safety”. “This verse, primarily speaks of the shepherd’s ability to protect his sheep in moments of danger. The picture, as Keller points out, is of the seasonal passage from the lowlands, where sheep spend the winter, through the valley of the high pastures, where they go in summer. The valleys are places of rich pasture and much water, but they are also places of danger. Wild animals lurk in the broken canyon walls. Sudden storms may sweep along the valley floors. There may be floods. Since the sun does not shine into the valley very well, there really are shadows which at any moment may become shadows of death” (Boice pp. 210211). Points To Note: 1.
Green pastures, still waters, the right path and the valley of the shadow of death are all part of the life of any believer. Serving God doesn’t mean that nothing bad will happen to us (2 Timothy 3:12; Acts 14:22; Matthew 5:11-12). 2. We can have confidence during such times, because we realize that we aren’t suffering in vain. But how many people are simply controlled by emotion and feelings and immediately turn back when they experience any sort of hardship, because they automatically assume that the “right way” must be the way of least resistance or the way with the fewest hardships. Christians do not automatically assume that suffering means that God is disapproving of what we are doing.
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23:4 “I fear no evil; for Thou art with me”: Notice the person-to-person address; “for the Shepherd is no longer ahead, to lead, but alongside to escort. In times of need, companionship is good; and He is armed…Setting aside this metaphor, only the Lord can lead a man through death; all other guides turn back, and the traveler must go on alone” (Kidner p. 111). The only real answer to fear, is a close relationship with God (1 Peter 5:7). Convincing yourself that there is really nothing to be afraid of, won’t work! Evil is real, and really bad things do happen to good people, life can be rough, but God is with me. 23:4 “Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me”: I really like the idea that “God is armed”. The idea that God won’t punish the wicked, may comfort a wicked person (until they find themselves persecuted by someone just as wicked as themselves), but such an idea doesn’t comfort the righteous. We need protection! We want a God Who acts, and Who will deliver us from our enemies. The “rod” beats off the external enemy, while the crooked “staff” snatches us from harm’s way. Note, faithful people are comforted by the fact that God will punished the wicked and He will also discipline me if I begin to stray. Part of what composes God’s shepherd staff today, are elders, church discipline (Matthew 18:15), and sound preaching (1 Timothy 4:16). 23:5 Some suggest at this point that the figure has shifted from a shepherd providing for his sheep to that of a friend providing an enormous banquet. But it still seems to me that the imagery of a shepherd and his flock is still under consideration. 23:5 “A table before me in the presence of my enemies”: “It is one thing to survive a threat…quite another to turn it into triumph…The picture may be one of cool assurance under pressure, an Old Testament equivalent to Romans 8:31-39 or 2 Corinthians 12:9f.; a witness to infinite resources in the worst of situations” (Kidner pp. 111-112). Even during times when we are persecuted, God’s blessings are rich and full. This passage makes me think about when David had to leave Jerusalem because Absalom had gained a very large and popular following, and yet, God providentially provided for David even during this time of distress (2 Samuel 17:27-29). Instead of resenting hard times, we should rather rejoice in them (Matthew 5:11-13), knowing that we will find a feast for the soul even in the most difficult times. Compare with Philippians 1:12-14. “It was the sheer joy of the early Christians that broke the persecution of Rome. As it has been said, they knew how to outlive their enemies and they knew how to outdie their enemies” (Williams p. 186). “Keller may be right when he sees this as the shepherd’s preparation of the high tablelands or mesas where the sheep graze in summer. A good shepherd will prepare these before the sheep arrive, removing physical hazards, destroying poisonous plants, and driving predators away” (Boice p. 211). 23:5 “Thou has anointed my head with oil”: “Keller also has a chapter in which he describes how ancient shepherds used a mixture of olive oil, sulfur, 4
and spices to protect their sheep from insects and promote the healing of infectious skin diseases….In Palestine, where the sun shines fiercely most of the year and the temperatures continually soar up into the hundreds, the skin becomes cracked and broken and throats become parched. When a guest arrived at the home of a friend, hospitality demanded the provision of oil….If we allow God to lead us where He will, we will find that a table has been prepared for us, our heads have been anointed with purest oil, and our cups have been filled to overflowing” (Boice pp. 211-212). Point To Note: God will mend and soothe the wounds which have been suffered by the faithful. I really like the idea that if we allow God to be our shepherd, if we place all our trust in Him, then we will never lack encouragement, nourishment, support, tender care, and comfort. People may call us names and accuse us of terrible things, but God continually provides His encouragement and those wounds quickly heal. In addition, following God protects us from contracting emotional, mental and spiritual illnesses. “In like manner shepherds are still known to carry a little flask of oil to anoint the scratched face of the sheep that was obliged to seek its food among thorns and brambles” (Leupold pp. 213-214). We should really feel sorry for people who refuse to allow God to be their shepherd, for they don’t have anyone who can soothe their wounds. 23:5 “My cup overflows”: Wow! Even during times of extreme hardship, David had found that his life was full, satisfying and that he was greatly blessed. “For when the sheep is overtired and out of sorts, it would not be beneath the dignity of a faithful shepherd to carry a drinking vessel of some sort to refresh the poor creature that needed it” (Leupold p. 214). Look at what unbelievers and unfaithful Christians are missing! Even in the best of times, unbelievers still argue that their cup isn’t full. During the worst of times, David said that his cup was overflowing! 23:6 “Surely”: No doubt about it. Here is faith! 23:6 “Goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life”: “Lovingkindness” is the covenant-word rendered “stead fast love” or “mercy” elsewhere. “Together with goodness it suggests the steady kindness and support that one can count on in the family or between firm friends. With God these qualities are not merely solid and dependable, but vigorous—for to follow does not mean here to bring up the rear but to pursue, as surely as His judgments pursue the wicked (83:15)” (Kidner p. 112). Note, this is said by a man who had made the Lord his shepherd, here is the confidence which the faithful have. Wicked people may surround us, but what is really pursuing us is God’s mercy and goodness. Even when Saul or Absalom 5
was seeking his life, God’s goodness was still pursuing David. To me, this is the same idea as expressed in Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”. Are you convinced that goodness and mercy are always following you? Or, are you afraid of the future? Are you convinced that God will take good care of those who place their trust in Him? 23:6 “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”: God’s goodness and mercy doesn’t end at my death! Even death won’t separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39). Do we ever wish that something really great will never end—well, here it is. The true “endless summer”. “Here then is healthy dependence. Such dependence upon God makes us independent in this world. When we find our identity and our security in Him, we are free to deal with life and not cave in. Our heavenly Father longs to meet our dependency needs, so that we can be mature and healthy in this world” (Williams p. 187). Note the confidence! Did David believe that he was going to heaven? Compare with Paul’s confidence in 2 Timothy 4:6-8.
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