Psalm 23: A familiar, but unappreciated chapter

One of the most familiar but unappreciated chapters in the Bible is Psalm 23. Psalm 23 looks beyond the short life we live here, through its difficult and dark valleys and into eternity future. David, the author, focuses on his trust and confidence in God. Verse 1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Verse 4 reads, “I will fear no evil.” Verse 6 says, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Over and over again David affirms his trust and confidence in God!

Psalm 23 provides one great metaphor to describe our relationship with God and that is a shepherd. God is the shepherd of his people. One former shepherd said, “Sheep do not just take care of themselves. They require, more than any other class of livestock, endless attention and meticulous care.” Sheep cannot survive without the presence of a shepherd. The shepherd provides for them. He leads them. He protects them. This is exactly what God does for his people. There is no better picture of God’s care for us then a shepherd caring for his sheep.

What does God do for his people? One benefit is that God provides for his people. Verse 2 reads, “He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.” A shepherd in ancient Israel moved the sheep from place to place to find green grass. A sheep consists of about seventy percent water. Water in Israel comes from the dew on the morning grass. Water also comes from wells and springs and streams. David says that our shepherd will expend whatever energy is necessary to make sure that our needs are met.

Another great benefit God provides is protection. Verse 4 states, “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.” The word translated “shadow of death” speaks of a difficult, dangerous, threatening circumstance. In Job 28:3 it speaks of the shaft of a mine. In Jeremiah 2:6 it’s the darkness of an uninhabited desert.

Dark valleys come to every life. Every person experiences times of fear and danger and trouble. David was treated unjustly by King Saul. Saul even tried to pin David to the wall with his spear. David’s rebellious son, Absalom, tried to kill his own father. David was chased from his home by Absalom and forced to live in exile. David fought many wars. His life was not easy!

Even our Lord Jesus experienced difficult circumstances. His father died when he was young. Jesus had to work and provide for his younger siblings. His brothers thought he was crazy. The religious leaders accused Jesus of being illegitimate. Jesus was falsely accused and executed. Every person experiences tough times. The only question is, “Will you face those tough times alone or with Christ’s help?”

David did not fear because of God’s presence. He also took comfort in God’s protecting power. “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (verse 4). The rod was a short two foot club with an enlarged head. It was hung from the belt and its purpose was to defend the sheep. David remembered there was no danger too great, no threat too large for his shepherd. The staff was a long stick with a fork or crook at the end. It was used to provide direction to the sheep and to pull them from thickets and pits and ravines. David knew that his shepherd would direct him through the deepest, darkest valleys.

Ultimately Psalm 23 points to the Lord Jesus. In John 10 verse 14 Jesus identifies himself as “the good shepherd.” The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. In the person of his son, God makes a person his sheep. Jesus then becomes his shepherd. Through Jesus dying on the cross for our sins we can have eternal life. David ends the psalm by writing, “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” The word translated lovingkindness speaks of a very profound love. It is a stubborn commitment found only in the deepest of relationships. David says, “God’s goodness and God’s steadfast love will pursue me like a wild animal on my trail, like the hounds of heaven all the days of my life.”

Jesus died for you on the cross. The resurrection proves his sacrifice for sin was perfect. When you repent of your sins and put your faith and trust in Jesus, God becomes your shepherd. In verses 1 to 4 we are described as God’s sheep. In verse 5 we are honored guests at a banquet he throws in his house. In verse 6 we are described as his children forever in the father’s house. What a God! What a Savior! What a Shepherd! Trust him. Love him. Worship him. Serve him.

Ethan Hansen is the pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.