“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1)

The shepherd and his sheep is an image which is often used of God and his people (e.g. Genesis 48:15 cf. 49:24; Psalm 23; 28:9; 74:1; 77:20; 78:52-55; 79:13; 80:1; 95:7; 100:1-3; Isaiah 40:10-11; 53:6-7; Jeremiah 23:1-3; Ezekiel 34; Micah 5:4; 7:14; Zechariah 9:16; Matthew 7:15; 9:36; 10:16; 18:12-14; 25:32-34; Mark 6:34; Luke 15:4-7; John 10:1-6, 7-17; 25-29; 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4 Revelation 7:17).  There is good reason for this metaphor (a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison without using “like” or “as”).  Sheep need attention and much care.  They need such things as food, water, guidance, protection, and shelter.  The LORD (Jehovah) provides for the needs of his people.

1.  Food/Security/Rest

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2).  The shepherd provided or led the sheep to green pastures.  The original word (deshe) refers to not merely green but fresh shoots or tender grass.  The sheep is satisfied to the point that it lies down.  Sheep do not ordinarily lie down when hungry or afraid.  “They lie down when full and unafraid” (Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Studies in Psalms, p. 47).    God provides the food we need. He provides for our physical needs (Acts 14:17).  More importantly, he provides for our spiritual needs (Deuteronomy 8:3 cf. Matthew 4:4; John 6:32-35).                       

God provides spiritual protection.  Jesus tells us that no one is able to snatch us out of his hand (John 10:28-29).  No external force can separate us from the love of God against our will (Romans 8:37-39).  However, we are to keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 20-21).

He provides rest. There is spiritual rest provided from the burden of sin (Matthew 11:28-30). In him there is found rest (Psalm 127:1-2; Proverbs 3:21-24). Moreover, there is a rest to come (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; Hebrews 4:9-11; Revelation 14:13).

2.  Water

“He leads me besides the still waters” (Psalm 23:2b).  Fast moving water is a danger to sheep.  Hugo McCord writes, “When the time comes for a drink, the shepherd has seen to it that still water is available.  If necessary he will dam a stream, making a quiet pool for the sheep’s drinking.  He knows that sheep will not drink gurgling water.  Perhaps instinctively the sheep knows that in swift water his wool will make him heavy and that he will be easily drown” (Tract: Psalm Twenty-Three by Hugo McCord).

God provides the water we need.  He provides for our physical needs (Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17).  More importantly, he provides for our spiritual needs (Matthew 5:6; John 4:9-13; 7:37-39). 

3.  Restoration

“He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:3).  (1) This may refer to what has already been mentioned.  The sheep is restored or revitalized by the provision of food and water. (2) Others think that this refers to rescuing or bringing back lost sheep (Luke 15:1-4). The original word translated “restores”(shuwb) means “turn back, return” (BDBG).

God provides for us.  He does so for our physical needs.  He also does so for our spiritual needs. (1) He provides inward strength and renewal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). (2) It is also true that God has made possible a return to him (Acts 11:19; 1 Peter 2:25). God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn, but to save (John 3:17). Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

4.  Guidance.

“He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3b).  He guides the sheep in the right way.  He does so for his name’s sake.  What does this mean?  (1) This may mean that he does so because of who he is.  It is his nature to lead in the right way. (2) Others take this to mean that he does so because we are his sheep (cf. Isaiah 43:1-7).  He cares for us.

God provides us with spiritual guidance.  He guides us by his word (Psalm 73:24; 119:105; 119:133; 119:172; Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 1:16-17).  He also has given us the example of Jesus (John 13:34-35; Philippians 2:1-8; Hebrews 12:1-4; 1 Peter 2:21-23).

5.  Protection/Comfort   

“Yea 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.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:4-5).  (1)   Some believe that the valley of the shadow of death was an actual narrow passage through which sheep were sometimes moved for grazing (Hugo McCord).  It was a difficult journey.  There were dangers in terrain.  There were dangers from predators.  However, the shepherd’s presence, his rod and his staff, provided comfort.  (2) The prepared table may refer to the pastureland which he made ready for the sheep on the other side of the valley pass.  There are enemies.  However, the shepherd provided protection. 

God provides spiritual protection. Jesus tells us that no one is able to snatch us out of his hand (John 10:28-29). No external force can separate us from the love of God against our will (Romans 8:37-39). However, we are to keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 20-21).

There will be trails and difficult times in life. However, there is comfort in knowing that our shepherd is with us. Consider these words on the valley of the shadow of death:  “While the most obvious allusion is that of impending death or the threat of death, it is not restricted to death alone. Where would the valley of the shadow of death be? Anywhere the threat of death, of loneliness, of depression, temptation of sin is found.” (Steven M. Lloyd, Coping: A Biblical Approach, pp. 176-177). When we go through trials in this life, we can know that we are not alone. God is in control, and he loves us and cares for us.  “What a fellowship, what a joy divine leaning on the everlasting arms/ What a blessedness, what a peace is mine leaning on the everlasting arms/ What have I to dread? What have I to fear? leaning on the everlasting arms/ I have blessed peace with mt Lord so near leaning on the everlasting arm” (song: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by E.A. Hoffman 1887).            

6.  Shelter/Home

“You anoint my head with oil.  My cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:5b-6).  Hugo McCord quotes a Basque shepherd, who says – “As the sheep come in for the night, they are lead to a gate.  The shepherd… examines for briars in the ears, snags in the cheek… Each sheep’s wounds are carefully cleansed.  Then the shepherd dips his hand into the olive oil and anoints the injury.”  Water is provided.  “The sheep will sink its nose into the water clean to the eyes, if fevered, and drink until fully refreshed” (McCord, Psalm Twenty-Three).  The sheep had a home, a sheepfold.  He provided shelter and care.

God provided such a place for us.  Abraham waited for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10,16).  Jesus went to “prepare a place” for us (John 14:1-3).  We have an eternal home (2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 1 Peter 1:3-4).  He richly provides us with a glorious existence (Romans 8:18; 2 Peter 1:10-11).