“The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want”
A Reflection on Psalm 23
Our message comes to us today the 23rd chapter of the Book of Psalms.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
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;
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, NKJV)
All mighty God, we thank you for your word and the way that you in it revealed to us who you are and what you've done for us in Christ. Now as we open that word we pray that your spirit may be present, that all thoughts of worry or distraction may be removed and that the Spirit will allow us to hear your voice. And so, oh God, fill us with your spirit through the reading and proclamation of your word this day. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Today we are going to look at one of the most comforting - and definitely the most well known psalm in the Bible - the 23rd psalm.
This was a psalm of David. David is someone whom most of us can associate with very well. He knew what it was like to be a lowly servant - as he served as a shepherd of literal sheep. He knew what it was like to be on the top of the social ladder - being the king and shepherd of thousands of human sheep - the Israelites. He knew what sin was all about - having committed murder and adultery. He was a brilliant fighter and an excellent musician as well. Maybe that’s why most of us know the story of David so well. We can all associate with him in some way. He was a man who had a vast array of experience. This seems to be a prerequisite nowadays for well known “speakers.” People like to listen only to people who have had some out of the ordinary experiences. It should be enough to know that this is the Word of God. But such is the human spirit - we won’t listen unless we feel it is applicable to ME. God knows this. So in His mercy he tells us that this psalm was inspired through David. When we see that David wrote this psalm through inspiration of the Holy Spirit - our sinful ears are more apt to perk up immediately.
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;
What a peaceful picture! David, the shepherd of sheep - said that the LORD was his shepherd. Notice the word is spelled in capitals. This stands for the ever constant God - the one who had consistently been there for the Israelites - mercifully saved them from their slavery to the Egyptians - led them through the desert - and brought them into the Promised Land. Jesus identified Himself to be that Shepherd. David knew that this LORD was his shepherd. We couldn’t ask for a better shepherd.
Isn’t that a neat term? Other Scriptures refer to God as our Rock and our Fortress. These are comforting indeed. We can find shelter behind rocks and fortresses from the enemy. For those of you who have owned a “pet rock,” you realize that you can’t hold a very interesting conversation with a rock. A rock can’t feed you or clothe you. A rock is cold and impersonal - strong as it is. But when David says the LORD is His shepherd - what a comforting illustration this is! Our Lord is a living and personal God - one who carries us in his arms - searches for us when we are lost - and takes a personal interest in us!
How does this shepherd provide for us? He lets us lie down in green pastures and leads us beside quite waters! For a natural sheep nothing can be better than when its shepherd feeds it in pleasant green pastures and near fresh water. Where that happens to it, it feels that no one on earth is richer and more blessed than it is. Notice what the shepherd allows us to do. Not just to graze on the green pastures - but to lie down in them. The picture I get is of when my dog will lie down in the grass and just roll in it. The picture is one of just complete rest and relaxation.
What are these green pastures symbolic of? It can be nothing else than the Word of God! As 1 Peter 2:2-3 says, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (NRSV). Hearing the Word of God is like eating a great dinner! The first time it gets between your teeth - your mouth waters even more. You can’t wait to chew on it - swallow it - and get some more. And after you eat that first meal - you plan to eat it again and again.
Is that the way you look at the Word of God? As something you can rest easy in? Something that gives you comfort? Unfortunately - this is not the case with many. Why? Because instead of following Christ, their shepherds lead them to follow Moses. But they soon find that Moses only leads them into the desert - telling them - “do this, don’t do that.” When they see how demanding God is - they soon realize that God is angry with them. There’s no comfort in the law of God - but only God’s wrath and indignation. Instead of lying there - they would rather flee from Mt. Sinai. This is where many preachers are leading their people. So the Word to them is only dangerous rapids and barren deserts. There is no rest.
But when Christ is our shepherd - he leads us to springs of living water. In the Word of Christ - we hear Jesus tell us that our thirst has been quenched. He says to us - “your debt has been paid in full! You are righteous in God’s sight through my righteousness! You will go to heaven - not by works - but by faith in me!” When we hear that - it brings rest to our souls! That’s what the Word of God is supposed to do! It is only in the Gospel of God - the news that Jesus has paid for your sins - that you find rest. When you hear that God punished Christ in your place - you realize that you have a merciful God who loves you very much!
David understood this. It was David himself who was led to the barren desert by Nathan who told him - YOU ARE THE MAN who murdered and committed adultery. But it was also David - who starving to death for God’s forgiveness - was assured by Nathan - the Lord has forgiven your sin! And so he wrote in Psalm 32: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. For those of us who know the guilt of David - who every day sin against the Lord - we also appreciate the restoration of the refreshing waters of life - hearing that our sins are forgiven. This is some place that we want to lie in for the rest of our lives!
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 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.
From the first part of this psalm, you might get the impression that Christianity is the easiest religion in the world - just laying around in tall grass and drinking cool water. But any experienced Christian knows this is not true. David makes that clear - as he shows where the shepherd leads his sheep. As they continue on the path of righteousness - they soon find out that this wonderfully refreshing stream soon leads through the valley of the shadow of death!
Jesus’ own life gives us a clear illustration of this. When He was living on earth - He didn’t build himself a nice palace and make Himself at home with servants polishing his toes and feeding him grapes. He went down the valley of death. Every day of his public ministry he faced false prophets - Pharisees and Sadducees. Many days he went without a place to lay his head. All of this was on the way to his destiny - the cross. Jesus had to go through this valley so that He could pay for the sins of the world.
Jesus says to His followers, “if you want to follow me - pick up your CROSS and FOLLOW ME! Go down in the valley of darkness with me! You must suffer ridicule. You must suffer pain. You must suffer heartache!” What do you think about this? Many think, “if Jesus is such a loving and caring shepherd, wouldn’t he lead us through the valley of lilies and lollipops? Wouldn’t we, like the Von Trapp family, be able to travel through flowery hills of Austria and sing happy songs?”
There’s a saying that goes - you can lead a horse to water - but you can’t make it drink. I’m sure many of you parents have experienced sitting a child down for dinner - only to have him or her sit there and stare at their food. Why is that? Because they had snacks! The temptation of the devil is the same as what he tempted Jesus with through Peter saying - “you can reach heaven without suffering! There’s a nice paved pathway over here that goes around the valley of death! There’s no suffering or pain!” He says to us - why eat such an awful meal of sorrow - when I can give you a snickers bar of happiness with that woman - an ice cream cake of joy with that job on Sunday morning! Why exercise your faith? Enjoy life! Eat, drink, and be merry.” What did Jesus tell him? “Get behind me, Satan.”
But why do we have to go through this valley? Didn’t Jesus already suffer enough for our sins? Yes, he did. But the only way you can make a horse drink is by making it thirsty! Will you feel a need to pray to God - if all of your wants are given you? Will you feel a need for his angels if you don’t occasionally suffer a loss? Will you want to drink of God’s eternal life if this life is so much fun? No. The path of righteousness - Jesus’ righteousness - must lead us through the valley of the shadow of death. It’s only when we meet death that we will be able to be with our Lord forever. That’s why Paul said, “I desire to depart and be with Christ - which is better by far!” The only way to heaven is through the valley of the shadow of death on the pathway of Christ’s righteousness. It is a move of pure mercy for our Lord to take us down the valley of the shadow of death.
And once again - what gives us comfort on this pathway? The rod and staff of God. The rod was used by a shepherd to fight off the wild animals. And the staff was used to help guide the sheep. This is - once again - the Word of God. Only the Word of God will fight off the demons with their temptations. Only the staff of God will assure us that God is still protecting us through this veil of tears. Only God’s Word will guide us to Christ and his righteousness throughout our lives. Why does God mercifully lead us on this pathway? Only for his name’s sake. Because He is our merciful LORD and Savior.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
There is a story in Daniel chapter five about a Babylonian king by the name of Belshazzar. His kingdom was about to go down to the Medes and the Persians - whose enemy armies were right outside his gate. Do you know what he decided to do in the face of this disaster? Have a banquet! That very night - God wrote his fate down on the wall - saying that His kingdom would fall. Looking at those actions - he either extremely underestimated the enemy or overestimated his own. The action was one of either arrogance or ignorance.
Therefore, this psalm might somewhat surprise us in the turn it takes. You would think that while going through the valley of death and facing Satan - that God would prepare a rampart - a wall - or some form of protection around his servant. But instead, the Psalmist writes, “you prepare a TABLE before me in the presence of my enemies.” Is this arrogance? Not at all.
Why? Because we put on our armor through our mouths. Remember that throughout this psalm God compares listening to God’s Word to EATING. So when you eat of the Word of God - by listening to it - it makes you stronger to fight against the devil. Before Jesus fought the devil in the wilderness, He spent His life studying the Scriptures - enabling Him to fight those fights. Thank God Jesus did His homework! If he hadn’t defeated the devil - and lost - as we have - we would be on our way to hell. But thanks be to God He fully partook of God’s Word and defeated the devil.
God prepares a great diet for us to eat against the devil’s attacks. We have been provided with a smorgasbord of God’s Word that all of us have easy access to. Isn’t that a great thing? Wouldn’t every war be great if without any danger, care, trouble, and work, one could conquer one’s enemies by doing nothing more than sitting at a table and eating, drinking and making merry. The prophet wishes to indicate the great and wonderful power of the dear Word. Through it I have rich comfort inwardly, in my heart, despite my guilty conscience, despite sin, fear, the terror of death; through it I also become outwardly so courageous and invincible a hero that all my enemies cannot prevail against me. It gives me strength in the presence of all my enemies, so that even when they rage and rave most violently, I feel more at ease than when I'm sitting at a table and have all that my heart desires. Eating and drinking means believing and clinging firmly to the Word.
It’s through that Word that God anoints our head with oil and fills our cups to overflowing. Oil was used in times of joy and celebration in the Old Testament. It smelled and felt good. Priests and kings were customarily anointed with it. When the Jews had their festivals and wished to be happy, they would anoint or sprinkle themselves with such precious oil. I thought that He would have put armor on me, placed a helmet on my head, a sword into my hand, and warned me to be cautious and give careful attention to the business at hand. Instead, He places me at a table and prepares a splendid meal for me, anoints my head with oil as if, instead of going to do battle, I were on my way to a party or a dance. And so if I may want anything now, He fills my cup to overflowing so that at once I may drink, be happy and get drunk - not with wine - but with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit makes us not only courageous and bold, but also so secure and happy that we can get drunk with a great and boundless joy. As Ephesians 5:18 says, "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit." Such warriors were the Apostles on the day of Pentecost. They stood up in Jerusalem against the command of the emperor - not being intoxicated with wine - but with the Holy Spirit.
6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.
There are many people who call themselves Christians today - that would look at this verse as a sign of arrogance. How can any of us know where we will go? They say that only a few in the history of the church have been given divine revelation to know their eternal destiny. The rest of us are only left with a vague hope that some day we may end up getting up there - maybe after a few hundred years of suffering in some netherworld. It makes you wonder how they can speak this psalm or why they speak it?
As I studied the many different versions of this verse, one of the most striking differences I noticed between the NIV version and most of the other versions is the replacement of “mercy” with “love.” The literal term here is hesed. There is no word in any language that really means the same as this word. It’s not the same as love and it’s not the same as grace or even mercy.
What does hesed mean? It carries a sense of carrying out a responsibility and fulfilling an obligation. For example - when a person looks after his or her parents - he or she is fulfilling a sense of duty or obligation. The LORD has an obligation toward us. Not that God owes us for anything we’ve done. No. He has an obligation to live up to His Name as a merciful God! Since He is a faithful God who keeps His promises - and a loving God - He has an obligation to His own NAME to do what He has promised to do. And what has God promised? Out of pure grace God has made promises to us - His children -
1 John 1:7 - The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Romans 8:28 - That all things work together for good to those who love God.
John 11:25 - I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
John 14:3 - If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
God has promised great things to us. He has promised us that Jesus has paid for all of our sins. He has promised us that all things will work out for our good. He has promised those who believe in Him an eternity in heaven. He has never made a promise that he didn’t keep.
Is it arrogant or presumptuous to say with David that I will SURELY dwell in the house of the Lord forever? Is the promise of heaven made only to a few special saints throughout history? By no means! Jesus died for the sins of the world. He promises those who believe in Him that they will live again to be with Jesus. To doubt that - to say that - “I might make it - but I’m not sure” - is to question God’s hesed. It isn’t presumptuous to believe God’s promises. It’s called God given faith. He has an obligation to fulfill as a merciful Lord. With Paul then, we can say, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?... Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:32,35,37-39)
If you’ve noticed one repeating theme throughout this psalm then, what is it? Isn’t it the importance of the Word of God. In it our shepherd gives us nourishment through the message of Christ. In it we find comfort in life’s trials and tribulations. And in the message of Christ - our good Shepherd - we find eternal life. Therefore we can say with David, “The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
Let us pray: Lord, we are Your people, the sheep of Your flock. Heal the sheep who are wounded, touch the sheep who are in pain, clean the sheep who are soiled, warm the lambs who are cold. Help us to know the Father’s love through Jesus the Shepherd and through His Holy Spirit. Help us to lift up that love, and show it all over this land. Help us to build love on justice and justice on love. Help us to believe mightily, hope joyfully, love divinely. Renew us that we may renew the face of the earth. Amen.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version (NKJV)® Bible, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)® Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved
The fourth Sunday in Easter is often referred to as ‘Shepherding Sunday’, as it’s the one on which we read again everyone’s favorite psalm - the 23rd psalm, that begins, “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
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