More Encouragement for us all

My reflection on Psalm 23
 
Psalm 23:1–6 —The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. *He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, *he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. *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. *You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. *Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. * 


The Lord is my Shepherd, (That's relationship!)

The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, “my.” He does not say, “The Lord is the shepherd of the world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as his flock.” If He is a shepherd to no one else, He is a shepherd to me. He cares for me, watches over me, and preserves me. The words are in the present tense. Whatever be the believer’s position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. Amazing grace

"The Lord is my shepherd...what's the next line?...I shall not want." Is that your testimony? Is that the testimony of your heart? The Lord is my shepherd, I have no needs, I have enough. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Christian people really gave that kind of testimony to the watching world? That we had found in our God and in the salvation that He provides and in the spiritual resources at our disposal total satisfaction, that we were absolutely content. A satisfied heart should be the experience of every single Christian. And contentment is a spiritual virtue and discontent is a sin. We should be content, we should be satisfied, we should be saying I have enough, nothing more is needed, nothing more is desired. Seven Keys to Contented Living

‎True religion resides in being able to say with David:‘The Lord is my shepherd.’ It is a matter of that personal pronoun ‘my’—saying to God ‘my Lord’ and having the assurance that he says in return ‘my child’. Opening up Psalms

I shall not want, (That's supply!)

‎The imagery is that of the shepherd leading his sheep. The initiative is with the shepherd. He is the one who determines the watering places and guides the flock as he thinks best. As our shepherd, God has committed Himself to guiding us in the ways that He knows to be best for us. God sovereignly guides our lives, so that we do indeed live out in our daily experiences all the days ordained for us. ‎We think so much about our responsibility to discover God’s will in a situation or to make wise decisions in life’s choices, but the biblical emphasis seems to be on God’s guiding us. Trusting God

How astonishing it is to find the words ‘Lord’ & ‘shepherd’ in such proximity! David is asserting that the Sovereign Ruler of the universe has taken up the menial task of shepherding him! We could not dare believe this if the Lord himself had not revealed himself in this way Gen. 49:24. Christians cannot read David’s words without having their thoughts immediately rise to these words from the Lord Jesus Christ: ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep’ John 10:11.Through his redeeming death on the cross, Christ purchased his sheep. The wrath of God was hurtling towards them & Jesus stepped between them & the wrath & absorbed it on their behalf. Having purchased his sheep on the cross, the Lord Jesus now lovingly tends them along the lines described in this psalm. Opening up Psalms

He makes me lie down in green pastures (That's Rest!)

The imagery of the shepherd and sheep ‎in this poem reflects our total dependence on God. A shepherd’s chief concern is to do everything to insure the well-being of his flock. The emphasis of this psalm is trust in God to meet our needs (see Phil. 4:19). As the Good Shepherd, God provides for our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being (see John 10:7–18). He provides refreshment in the difficult experiences of life. His “rod” and “staff” lovingly guide, protect, and discipline His sheep. God’s “mercy” describes His steadfast love. Woman's study Bible

“I shall not want” for: rest and refreshment. Wiersbe's

God’s people of every generation do not lack: FOOD
They do not lack food because they are made to lie down in green pastures. This has to do with finding rest in the Word of God. The ‘green pastures’ represent food to the sheep. The lying down represents leisure or time. By the grace of the Lord, then, his people spend time meditating on the food which he has prepared for them, which is the Word of God.Opening up Psalms.

As a shepherd leads sheep to fresh grass for feeding, so the Lord leads His people. One who follows the Lord does not lack any spiritual nourishment. Food for the soul is the Word of God. The Bible Knowledge Commentary

He leads me beside still waters (That's Refreshment!)

guidance; ‎What I want to do is draw our attention to God’s initiative and God’s faithfulness in guiding us, so that we do fulfill the plan He has ordained for us. We think so much about our responsibility to discover God’s will in a situation or to make wise decisions in life’s choices, but the biblical emphasis seems to be on God’s guiding us. Trusting God

Jehovah-Shalom, “The Lord our peace” (Jud. 6:24);
Still waters denotes the calm water necessary for sheep to drink. Believer's Study Bible

He restores my soul (That's healing!)

All God’s people have been given rest from the guilt of sin and the fear of condemnation through the redeeming work of Christ. They are God’s people by virtue of that. But they still need rest from hunger, from annoying parasites and from conflict. We find these as we look to the green pastures in the Word of God. We are either grazing in those pastures or we are straying from our shepherd. Opening up Psalms.

Jehovah-Rapha, “The Lord will heal or restore” (Ex. 15:26);

A second blessing that comes from the Lord’s leading is spiritual restoration. As a shepherd leads his sheep to placid waters for rest and cleansing, so the Lord restores or refreshes the soul. Here the spiritual lesson is clear: the Lord provides forgiveness and peace for those who follow Him. The Bible Knowledge Commentary

“I shall not want” for: ‎ restoration and righteousness. Wiersbe's

He leads me in the paths of righteousness (That's Guidance!)

Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “The Lord our righteousness,” (Jer. 23:6);

DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE They do not lack direction and guidance because they are led in paths of righteousness. Christians often vex themselves with the question of whether they are ‘finding the Lord’s will’ for their lives. What consolation we have in this part of the Lord’s shepherdly care! The Lord has promised to lead his people. We should not concern ourselves so much, then, with finding the Lord’s will as with walking close to the Lord. Our problem is not really one of guidance, it is one of closeness to God. It is important to notice that the Lord always leads his people in ‘paths of righteousness’, that is, in conformity with what God has revealed in his Word. This verse will not allow us to claim the Lord’s leadership for any action that is opposed to the Word of God. Opening up Psalms.

The third blessing that comes from the Lord’s leading is guidance in the right way (paths of righteousness). A good shepherd knows the right paths on which to bring the sheep home safely. So too the Lord loses none of His sheep, but guides them in the right way. The Bible Knowledge Commentary.

For His name sake (That's purpose!)

‎ “I shall not want” for: purpose. Wiersbe's

The fact that the Lord leads his people ‘For his name’s sake’ means that he guides them according to all that his name represents. His guidance is, then, in keeping with his holiness, his love, his faithfulness, his wisdom and all that he has revealed himself to be. Opening up Psalms.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of death (That's testing!)

testing, trials; It's only the "shadow of death" not the valley of death!

The sheep never need worry when they follow the shepherd, for he will protect them and provide for them. Even when they go through a dangerous valley (v. 4), the shepherd is beside them, and beyond the valley is the house of rest. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines

I will fear no evil (That's protection!)

“I shall not want” for: protection in trouble. Wiersbe's

Believers are never in situations the Lord is not aware of, for He never leaves or forsakes His people (cf. Heb. 13:5). Bible Knowledge Commentary

But how is it that we do not fear evil? Previously, the psalmist referred to God as he; now he refers to Him with a more intimate thou. For thou art with me. The intimacy of the statement The LORD is my shepherd is now seen in his direct address to the God of heaven. When we come to know God personally through His Son Jesus Christ, the death barrier is shattered. All who have trusted in Christ as Saviour are not only free from want, but have freedom from the fear of death as well. KJV Bible Commentary.

For Thou art with me (That's faithfulness!)

faithfulness; Jehovah-Shammah, “The Lord is there,” (Ezek. 48:35);

“I shall not want” for: companionship, fellowship.

Many a shepherd interposed himself between wild beasts and his sheep, and at night the shepherd lay down and slept in the single doorway to his sheepfold. Any enemy would have to pass him to attack his flock. How marvelous then for us whom Scripture sees as sheep that God presents Himself as our shepherd. He leads us, protects us, and because He is always with us, we fear no evil. The Bible reader’s companion

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (That's Discipline!)

He provides refreshment in the difficult experiences of life. His “rod” and “staff” lovingly guide, protect, and discipline His sheep. God’s “mercy” describes His steadfast love. Woman's study Bible

protection, direction and guidance; support; one of the elect;
‎Where rod and staff respectively are used figuratively of divine protection and guidance; cf. Mi. 7:14). A support carried by shepherds; ‎Passing under a rod or staff was a shepherd’s way of counting his sheep. New Bible dictionary

The rod and staff in verse 4 represent God’s defense and guidance. The rod or club was used to drive off wild animals and enemies. The staff was used to give guidance to the flock and to lift them back on the pathway when they fell. The rod and staff in the hands of God comfort or give assurance to the psalmist. The teacher's Bible commentary

comfort, nacham; Strong’s #5162: To comfort, console, extend compassion, sigh with one who is grieving; to repent. Nacham originally may have meant “to breathe intensely because of deep emotion.” In some references, the word is translated “repent,” the idea being that regret causes deep sighing. In its sense of comfort, nacham does not describe casual sympathy, but rather deep empathy. It is like “weeping with those who weep,” or actually “sighing with those who sigh.” Spirit filled life study Bible.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies (That's hope!)

hope; provision; “The Lord our banner” (Ex. 17:8–15);

‎This symbolizes God’s protective care over His children in the midst of a wicked and antagonistic world (cf. Phil. 2:15). Believer's Study Bible.

“I shall not want” for: ‎provision in the wilderness. Wiersbe's

As the Host, God has made complete provision for our every need. in the presence of my enemies: The sheep/Shepherd imagery cannot convey all that needs to be said about God’s grace and mercy to His people. The Near Eastern host who would lay down his life for the guest adds the deeper dimension. The Open Bible

Thou annointest my head with oil (That's Consecration!)

blessing; ‎Anointing was a means of investing someone with power, to signify divine sanctification and approval; also signifies the consecration of someone or something for a holy purpose. Harper's Bible dictionary

The anointed head and the overflowing cup symbolize the abundance of God’s care (v. 5). The teacher's Bible commentary.

It was customary in those days to receive a guest by anointing him with fragrant perfume and with a cup filled with a choice wine. In this way, the host indicated that nothing was to be considered too good for his guest. Opening up Psalms.

My cup runneth over (That's Abundance!)

cup (which represents abundance)—are prepared for the child of God, who may feast in spite of his enemies, confident that this favor will ever attend him. Commentary Critical and Explanatory

abundance; supply;

David declares that God’s care surpasses even this. His head had been anointed, and his cup was overflowing. Opening up Psalms.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (That's Blessing!)

love, mercy, goodness, caring; So certain is the psalmist that these twin graces will follow him that he begins his summary statement with a heavenly “verily” or surely. Goodness and mercy will not simply follow, but will pursue him. The verb used here is used elsewhere in a predominantly hostile sense. That it is given a benevolent sense here makes its usage even more striking. These graces actively seek us out when we walk with the Good Shepherd. They are present with us in times of feasting, as well as times of fasting all the days of my life. KJV Bible Commentary.

Mercy (Hebrew chesed ) is the unfailing, steadfast covenant love of God. This lovingkindness is similar to the NT word “grace” (John 1:16, 17). Spirit filled life study Bible.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord (That's Security!)

‎ “I shall not want” for: a home to go to at the end of the day. Wiersbe's

The house of the LORD does not indicate a temple or church, but rather communion with God. The fact that we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever indicates sonship, for a servant never abides in the house. As a child of God who walks in the path of the Good Shepherd, I am always at home with God. This is the fifth of the five freedoms: freedom from desertion. The Shepherd has promised me, “… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5); and whether through the green pastures, the still waters, through the valley of death, or in the presence of mine enemies, I know He is always there. KJV Bible Commentary.

Forever (That's Eternity!)

ETERNITY — infinite or unlimited time; time without beginning or end. Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary.

In Scripture eternity is not an abstraction but limitless time, over which God is totally sovereign. Dictionary of Bible Themes

Eternity—time without end. Nelson's

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you!

‎Conclusion:
Jehovah is with (v. 1) under (v. 2) beside (v. 2) after (v. 6) before (v. 5) and ahead of (v. 6) all His trusting children.

They shall not want for food (v. 2) drink (v. 2) strength (v. 3) guidance (v. 3) comfort (v. 4) satisfaction (v. 5) or life (v. 6).

Striking Facts: The shepherd psalm follows the psalm of the cross. We must by experience know the value of the blood shed on Calvary’s cross and see the sword awakened against the Shepherd before we can truly know the sweetness of the Good Shepherd’s care. Summarized Bible:

‎ “I shall not want” is the theme of Ps. 23. ‎‎Hebrews 13:20–21 informs us that today Jesus is the Great Shepherd who cares for the sheep. We are His sheep, and as we follow Him He ministers to us. ‎Christ did not simply die for us; He rose again and lives for us. He is the Great Shepherd, the Great High Priest.

‎Each of the OT names for God is seen in this psalm: Jehovah-Jireh, “The Lord will provide” (Gen. 22:13–14); Jehovah-Rapha, “The Lord will heal or restore”(Ex. 15:26); Jehovah-Shalom, “The Lord our peace”(Jud. 6:24); Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “The Lord our righteousness,”(Jer. 23:6); Jehovah-Shammah, “The Lord is there,” (Ezek. 48:35); Jehovah-Nissi, “The Lord our banner” (Ex. 17:8–15); and Jehovah-Raah, “The Lord my shepherd” (Ps. 23:1). In other words, Jesus Christ is to His sheep all that they ever need. As the little child said when misquoting this psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd—what more shall I want?” Wiersbe's expository outlines on the Old Testament

If you can say, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” you can also say, “I shall not want.” With the Word Bible Commentary

Hebrews 13:20–21 —May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, *equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. *

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