Click here to read PSALM 23 in poetic form.
Background
More books may have been written about this Psalm than any other. David was taken from the sheepfolds to lead God’s people (Psalms 78:70-72). Jesus Christ, the son of David, was the good shepherd for God’s people (John 10:11).
Think how Jesus Christ would have loved this Psalm, perhaps first reading and memorizing it as a small boy. It is simple, clear, and full of God’s love. It shows how God supplies our need and protects us from the adversary. Jesus made known the Father so wonderfully because he was so much “like his Dad” in many ways. See “Jesus Christ: ‘I am’ in the Gospel of John, Part 1” for further details.
Structure
(Verse 1) Messiah is shepherded by the Lord
(Verses 2-3) Supply in good paths (food, water, rest, righteousness)
(Verses 4-5) Protection from evil paths (no fear, rod, staff, table)
(Verses 5-6) Supply in good paths (oil, cup, goodness, mercy)
(Verse 6) Messiah dwells with the Lord forever
Key Scriptures
Verse 1—“The Lord is my shepherd.” Sheep are naturally timid and aimless animals. They need the safety of a pen, or fold, for protection. This pen must have a door in and out. Some shepherds in Jesus’s time would lay with their own bodies across the mouth of the sheepfold. They were “the door” of the sheep.
John 10:7-10:
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The Devil is “the thief” who only kills, steals, and destroys. Jesus Christ came so that we can have a more abundant life with “peaceful pastures.”
Jesus Christ was the son of David, a shepherd, who wrote Psalm 23 showing God’s care for His people as sheep.
Psalms 23:1:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Notice that the word “is” is italicized, meaning it was added. The original Hebrew says Jehovah Ra’ah, the Lord my Shepherd. Shepherds feed, guide, protect, water, heal, comfort, and find the sheep. Jesus Christ, in so many ways, is a shepherd like David his father, and God his Father.
The Messiah would be the redeemer of mankind, to make restitution for Adam’s transgression. He would lay down his own life so that others might live. Jesus Christ is the good shepherd who did that for us.
John 10:11,14,15:
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Verse 1—“I shall not want.” The word “not” is not in the Hebrew. This could be a question. “Could I ever want?” The Hebrew word for “want” is also in Psalm 34:10 which promises “they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” Jesus Christ knew that God would supply his every need, and said his Father gave “all things into his hand” (John 3:35; 13:3). Today, born-again believers have every need met from the Father through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:19).
Verse 2—“lie down in green pastures” is to rest or repose in a home that sprouts. This implies life and continuance. Jesus Christ rested in His Father’s love and preached peace (Acts 10:36; Ephesians 2:17). We have our rest and peace as sons of God in Christ (Matthew 11:28,29; Ephesians 2:14,15).
Verse 2—“ leadeth me beside the still waters” is to flow upon waters of comfort. In the midst of the waves and turmoil of life, Jesus Christ calmed every storm (Mark 4:39). We have our comfort in Christ (Philippians 2:1).
Verse 3—“restoreth my soul” is to turn back our breath life to where we need to be. When we get “out of breath” spiritually, God is always able to keep us going. Jesus Christ knew that without the Father’s help, he could do nothing (John 5:19,30). Today our thoughts and lives are renewed to what we have in Christ (Romans 6:4; 12:1,2).
Verse 3—“ leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” is to guide on tracks that are right. Jesus Christ always did the will of the Father and pleased Him (John 5:30; 8:29). We are righteous in Christ, and God shows us how to walk in love, light, and circumspectly (II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 5:2,8,15).
Verse 4—“valley of the shadow of death” is a gorge that lies in shadows of death. In Bible lands, the heavy rains form torrential streams. When they dry out later, a deep narrow ravine remains. A hapless sheep or goat that wanders into one may be lost forever, and devoured of hyenas and other wild beasts. The Devil has his “course” in this age that he wants people to follow—a trail that leads to death. In Christ we have deliverance and safety from the adversary’s snares and devices (Galatians 5:1; II Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11; II Timothy 2:26).
Verse 4—“ fear no evil”—God’s message through His messengers (including His Son) is always to “fear not” (Matthew 1:20; 10:28; 28:5; Luke 1:13,30; 2:10; 5:10; 8:50; 12:7,32; 18:4; John 12:15; Acts 27:24). In Christ, we don’t have a spirit of cowardice, but of power, love, and a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).
Verse 4—“thou art with me”—the Lord was always with David in his times of need. The Father was always with Jesus Christ and never left him alone (John 8:29; 14:9,23; 16:32; 17:5,24). Today we have “Christ in” us the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) and God “dwells in” us by His gift of holy spirit (Ephesians 2:22).
Verse 4—“ thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”—is the branch and walking stick. The branch was a club used to fend off the attacks of wild animals, the walking stick was used for support, guidance, and even getting leaves from tall trees. Jesus Christ was the “branch” God promised would grow up, and Jesus Christ was the support and guide to redeem mankind. The rod and staff “comfort” or cause one to “sigh” in relief. Jesus Christ is our great comfort and relief from the world’s darkness and fear (Philippians 2:15).
Verse 5—“ preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” is to arrange a spread that we face, right in front of those who would cramp us in. The adversary tried to “cramp in” Jesus Christ on many occasions, but his Father always made a way for him to escape into a broad and open place of safety. The same is true for us in Christ (I Corinthians 10:13).
Verse 5—“anointest my head with oil”—this refers to the Messiah, the anointed one. It also describes how a shepherd would minister to and heal a sick lamb or sheep. Oil was used as a medicine. Christ is the great healer, and we can follow in his steps (Acts 10:38; I Corinthians 12:9).
Verse 5—“cup runneth over” is to have full satisfaction in God’s supply. The shepherd gave his flocks a drink from cups so that the timid sheep would not be afraid of a flowing stream. God has given us a full supply in Christ so that we are “complete in him” (Colossians 2:10).
Verse 6—“all the days of my life…for ever.” God’s goodness and kindness is constantly with us in our earthly lives. And He promises that we will dwell with Him forever—all because of what His Son, Jesus Christ, accomplished for us (John 3:16)!
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
