How Psalm 23 Describes the Love of the Lord
The Good Shepherd Provides Sustenance and Security for the Sheep
May 4, 2009
Psalm 23, or David’s “Shepherd’s Psalm,” has been the thesis of countless sermons and the message of hundreds of hymns. There is good reason for this. In two paragraphs of six verses, David summarizes the proper relationship between God and his people. The Psalm gives assurance, hope, and security.
"The Lord Is My Shepherd; I Shall Not Want"
The occupation of shepherd in the ancient world, much as it still is in some parts of the world, was a simple one and required little training. However, the primary duty of a shepherd has not changed: keeping his sheep secure from any external threat. As the sheep realize this role, a bond is formed.
Due to the fact that the Lord was the shepherd, there is no want; the shepherd provides for the daily needs of the sheep. He leads them to “green pastures;” he leads them “beside quiet waters.”
In these passages, the Lord provides for the daily sustenance of the sheep, reminding the reader of the Lord’s Prayer in which Jesus said, “Give us our daily bread…”
Verse three introduces the Lord as both a teacher and guide who takes the sheep in the “paths of righteousness.”
Significantly, there are many paths, indicating perhaps that the road to the house of the Lord (verse 6) is not just one highway. It is also noteworthy to reflect on the term “righteousness” which denotes a particular ethic or moral value.
The Security and Bounty of the Lord
Verse four begins the second paragraph and changes the tone of the Psalm. No longer general in terms of sheep, David relates the earlier passages to a more personal theme: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” In David’s life he frequently found himself in this valley.
David continues by stating, “I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” In this passage, David highlights “evil.”
Evil is the antithesis of the Lord’s love, yet is it all around. It is the rod and staff that give comfort, an allusion to the tools of a good shepherd. Both instruments played significant parts, one to lead, and one to defend against external threat.
In verse five David refers to a table – prepared by the Lord, “in the presence of mine enemies.” This passage may be the most difficult to understand. Allegorically and metaphorically it can be interpreted many ways. But David’s simple observation, based on his own life tribulations, seems to be that even in the presence of enemies, the Lord is there with his promises intact.
The Lord anointed his head with oil, a sacred ritual marking the person as one of the Lord’s as well as a sign of kingship. The overflowing cup bespeaks of the richness of the Lord’s bounty. For David, it was never a question of a cup half empty or half full; his cup overflowed.
The Perseverance of the Lord’s People
The final verse is the promise of daily spiritual sustenance yet it flows from the rest of the Psalm. It pertains to those sheep that followed the shepherd. “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life…” Some versions substitute “mercy” for lovingkindness, but the two terms highlight an important attribute of the sheep.
The Lord’s people are to act in mercy – "lovingkindness," just as the Lord shows mercy to his sheep. David relates these traits to a lifetime of following the Good Shepherd. It is not a one-event situation.
David ends with the positive affirmation that he “will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” This is the hope and security of perseverance, made possible by the actions of a humble shepherd.
Source:
- New American Standard Bible, 1973.
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