A psalm for 23

Psalm 23 is not a Psalm of mourning or a Psalm for the dead. Instead, it is a Psalm for the living, filled with hope and the promise of God's presence. It proves we aren't alone but blessed with God's mercy and goodness. Jesus, our Good Sheperd, walks every step alongside us. 

King David begins his Psalm with some of the most comforting words in Scripture: "The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing." Remember, David was a shepherd before he was king, and ancient Israel was a strongly agricultural society, so the imagery of shepherd and sheep would have resonated with his audience. David confidently states, "The Lord is my shepherd," demonstrating God's care for His people and our utter dependence on Him for our every need. 

David follows with, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake." Green pastures and still waters are places of peace and nourishment where sheep and shepherd find rest, all for His name's sake. This is the nature of God—He leads, guides, protects, and nourishes—because that is who He is. 

In the first three verses of Psalm 23, David speaks of God in the third person: "The Lord is my shepherd… he leads me… he restores my soul." But in verse four, the third person shifts to the second person: "for you are with me, Your rod… You prepare a table…." Instead of talking about God, David begins to talk to God; instead of knowing about the nature of God, David reveals what he knows about God from his own experience because better knowledge of God means a better relationship with Him. Intimacy brings knowledge that, when applied to life's challenges, leads to an even deeper relationship with Christ. 

In verse 4, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me." David comforts us with the promise that God is with us even when we walk through the darkest valleys, the lowest, most painful times in our lives. A shepherd's rod is used for protection from predators, sheep are, after all, defenseless creatures, and the staff guides them when they wander off the path and into danger. In the same way, through that intimate relationship, like the sheep hear the shepherd, we listen to the voice of God leading and directing us, protecting us from harm, and giving us the discernment to make wise decisions. 

Verse 5 continues, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Even if we are surrounded by people who wish us harm and the whole world seems to stand against us, David reminds us that God is already moving in our circumstances, standing between our enemies and us, so there is no need to fear. As king, David had countless adversaries, but in God's presence, seated at His table, His enemies posed no threat because David had guest-rights with the Lord. In ancient Israel, a host was obligated to protect his guest from all enemies at all costs. It's the same declaration Paul shares in Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." God is with us through the darkness. 

David closes this Psalm with, "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." The word "follow" is better translated as "relentlessly pursue," which is a more accurate depiction of how God chases after us. Even when, like sheep, we wander away, all we have to do is turn or repent, and we'll see that He has been there all along. 

God promises goodness and love, now and forever, with Jesus. In Jesus, we can experience the fullness of the goodness and love of God. God offers the opportunity to experience a taste when we sit under the preaching of the Word or express the inexpressible through worship music. Still, it's only a glimpse of the glory of heaven. 

Make a Move: 

Do you feel discouraged, alone, or overwhelmed going into 2023? Do you feel like God has turned His back or doesn’t care about what’s happening in your life? Reach out to one of our pastors for help turning things around and taking the next steps in your walk with Christ.

Prayer Prompt: 

Father God, I thank You for all we can learn about Your nature and Your deep, abiding love for us in Psalm 23. May we never grow cold or discouraged, thinking you’ve turned your back or abandoned us, but instead, may we remember that you relentlessly pursue your children and long for a relationship with us. Thank you for the promise You are with me in the darkness, and the closer I draw to You, the more I can experience Your goodness and love, now and forever, Amen.

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Worship Set: Gone l Graves into Gardens l No Wonder l Stronger