Psalm 23 (ESV) — A PSALM OF DAVID. 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Two Main Figures

• 1 The LORD is my shepherd
  • The Shepherd Lord
    • This is David's realization.
      • God has cared for, fed, defended, led, watched over, healed, and provided for him, as he had for his father's sheep.
    • This is David's prophecy.
      • Another Good Shepherd who would care for his Father's sheep.
        • John 10:11 (ESV) — 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
  • The Sheep Me
    • Perhaps he felt he'd become a shepherd of Israel, and rightly so.
    • But then he realized he also behaved as a sheep.

The Overall Effect

• 1 I shall not want
  • 1 This is a confession.
    • David had followed his own advice -- Psalm 34:8 (ESV) — 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
  • 2 This is a belief.
  • 3 This is a decision.
    • Philippians 4:11 (ESV) — 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
• But how does he produce this in me?

1 By making me lie down.

• 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
  • Philip Keller (A Shepherd's Look At Psalm 23): The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very make-up it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met.
    • 1 Free of all fear of predators.
    • 2 Free from friction with other sheep.
    • 3 Free from torment from pests.
    • 4 Free of hunger.
      • The shepherd has much to do with the alleviation of all four fears.
  • The Lord works to bring us into rest.
    • One of the outcomes of studying Hebrews:
      • A life of Sabbath-rest 3:7-4:16
    • The one who told the disciples to cast their nets also told them to come and eat breakfast (John 21:6, 12).

2 By satisfying my thirst.

• 2 He leads me beside still waters.
  • John 4:14 (ESV) — 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
  • John 6:35 (ESV) — 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
    • There is a thirst for God in each of us.
    • Allow Jesus to quench your thirst.

3 By setting my soul aright.

• 3 He restores my soul.
  • Though we are his, there are times our souls get out of balance. We become agitated, frustrated, angered, disappointed, hurt, or depressed.
    • This does not mean we aren't his sheep.
    • It only confirms we are actually sheep.
  • Think of the ups-and-downs of David's life.
  • Jesus set Peter's soul aright.
    • John 21:17 (ESV) — 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

4 By forging new, right paths for me.

• 3 He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
  • Keller: "Sheep are notorious creatures of habit. If left to themselves they will follow the same trails until they become ruts; graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes; pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and parasites. Many of the world's finest sheep ranges have been ruined beyond repair by over-grazing, poor management, and indifferent or ignorant sheep owners."
  • Jesus had new paths for his disciples to walk in, paths which were righteous and good and for his name's sake.
    • Fishers of men.

5 By leading me through the valleys.

• 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
  • David experienced God’s presence in his life during the darkest of times.
    • He endured Saul’s spears (1 Sam 18:11).
    • He endured Saul’s engagement process (1 Sam 18:28).
    • He endured Saul’s murder attempts while sleeping (1 Sam 19).
    • He endured Saul’s wilderness attacks (1 Sam 23:26).
    • He endured Saul, Absolom, Philistines, enemies…
    • He told Jonathan – “there is but a step between me and death” (1 Sam 20:3).
  • Jesus is with us.
    • Jesus saw His disciples straining at the rowing from the mountaintop of prayer (Mk 6:46-48).
    • Jesus was with Paul in wicked Corinth (for I am with you – Acts 18:10).

6 By skillfully defending me.

• 4 Your road and your staff, they comfort me.
  • David was aware that his shepherd came fully equipped to handle anything that might harm his life. David had been the shepherd who killed a lion and a bear, he knew his shepherd was stronger than that.

7 By bringing me to the life he’s prepared for me.

• 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
  • Tablelands/mesas - the shepherd would scout and prepare for his sheep.

8 By helping me endure life’s annoyances.

• 5 You anoint my head with oil.
  • Once in his desired location, annoyances still exist.

Conclusion: I am privileged

• 5 My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.