Psalm 23 is probably the best known and most popular chapter in the Word of God.
It’s no surprise that this is so, since everyone enjoys the theme of the shepherd who cares for his sheep. In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ describes himself as a shepherd. In John 10:11, he says, “I am the good Shepherd…”
The author of Hebrews 13:20 called Christ the “great Shepherd” of the sheep.
Peter, in 1 Peter 5:4, called Him the “Chief Shepherd.” He is the shepherd who is over the undershepherds. Indeed Peter likens the church to a sheepfold; it’s leaders (in v.2) are admonished to “be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care.”
When we turn to Psalm 23, we find the theme spelled out in the first verse: “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want.” That is the theme of the chapter and should be separated from all that follows. From now on, the psalm describes the areas where we are not going to lack [anything], if we have God as our Shepherd. What things are we not going to lack?
We will not lack rest, because “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”
We will not lack guidance, because “He leads me beside quiet waters.. He guides me in the paths of righteousness.. for His name’s sake.”
We will not lack safety in a dangerous world, because “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
We will not lack provision under the care of the shepherd, because “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you have anointed by head with oil, my cup overflows.”
Last of all, we will not lack a heavenly home: “Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the rest of my days, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Isn’t it wonderful to be under the care of a shepherd like that – and to be able to say that we shall lack nothing, nothing at all?
We need somebody who knows the way, who has been over this course before. In fact, we need somebody who knows us, and knows what He wants to do with us. That is precisely the kind of guide we have in Jesus Christ.
May it be so for you,
One of His Disciples
Guest contributor:
Dr. Harold N. Smith