Reflections on the 23rd Psalm-The Shepherd’s Provision
This psalm is beloved by many for good reason.
Much of the Bible is written in agricultural images because God intends to speak to us in ways we can understand. When David wrote the 23rd Psalm, everyone was surrounded by agriculture and the images would be very clear. Today, many folks live in cities, and agriculture has changed so much that even today’s farmers may find it helpful to look back at this psalm through the eyes of an Israelite shepherd like David.
The psalm breaks down into 2 sections: God is the good Shepherd (vs. 1-4) and God is the welcoming Host (vs. 5-6). We will begin to look at the first section this weekend.
Psalm 23:1–4 (HCSB): The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff —they comfort me.
Shepherds and Sheep
In western cultures, when we observe sheep herding, it is very different than the shepherding familiar to David. We see sheep dogs driving the sheep to where the sheep owner wants them driven. The owner of the sheep lives in a house and checks on the sheep from time to time.
Shepherding in David’s experience was much different. To this day, there are shepherds in the Near East who live out in the hills with the sheep - sleeping with the flock, always on guard to keep them fed, watered, and safe from predators. Instead of driving the sheep, these shepherds lead the sheep where they need them to go. The sheep know if they follow the shepherd’s voice they will be cared for and protected from danger.
The sheep are totally dependent on the shepherd for everything they need. If a sheep strays from the flock and from the shepherd, it will not survive very long. Sheep do not have a way to defend themselves against predators, and they do not know where the grass and water are as the shepherd does.
The Bible refers to us as sheep a lot.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Ps 95:7.
Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. Ps 78:52-53.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6.
We may not like being compared to sheep, but it does drive home the point that we are totally dependent upon God for everything. Just like the sheep are totally dependent upon the shepherd.
The LORD Is My Shepherd - Provision
God is the Shepherd of each of those who trust in him. He lives with them in the place where they find themselves. Sometimes that place is green pastures and sometimes is is a deep dark valley. But wherever they are, God is there, watching over them and taking care of them.
Because God is his Shephard, David can say, “there is nothing I lack.” We must pause here and separate our wants from our needs. David is saying, “With God as my Shepherd, I do not lack anything that I truly need.”
In fact, for the most part, I have an abundance. David says that God allows him to lie down in green pastures. Do you know when a sheep lies down? When he has eaten until he is full. When a sheep is full he lies down to chew his cud, digesting what he has eaten. A hungry sheep keeps on wandering around looking for more grass.
Then David says, “My Shepard leads me beside quiet waters.” If a sheep is thirsty he will stop and drink if the water is still. If he isn’t in need of water he will walk on by - in this case, walking past still waters as he is led by his Shepherd. So the picture David is painting of our Shepherd is one of abundant provision.
Next week we will look at verses 3 & 4. How our shepherd leads us. Sometimes that includes deep dark valleys, but even then we are safe with him. More about that next weekend.
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So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. Jn. 10:7–15(ESV).
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