My Shepherd – Psalm 23

“A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:1-2

In John 10:14, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep and am known by My own.” In 1 Peter 5:4, Peter calls Jesus the Chief Shepherd. Jesus is the Shepherd of the shepherds. In 1 Peter 2:25, Peter calls Jesus the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

What does a shepherd do? Isaiah 40:11 says, “He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.” The Good Shepherd feeds the souls of His sheep with healthy spiritual sustenance from the milk of God’s Word. As He carries us in His arm, we are close to His heart. When He leads us, He does not demean us or take us on an obstacle course as a Marine Corps sergeant does, but with gentleness He leads us. When battles come our way, He fights them for us.

“The word for “green” (דשׁא deshe) refers to the first shoots of vegetation from the earth - tender grass. The flock are in young and luxuriant grass, surrounded by abundance, and having satisfied their wants, lying down with calm contentment.” [1]

“He leads me beside the still waters (Hebrew, מי מנוכת - waters of rests, or refreshments). Quiet and gentle waters, running in small and shallow channels, which are opposed to great rivers, which both frighten the sheep with their great noise and expose them to being carried away by their swift and violent streams. Such is the difference between the gentle waters... and noisy torrents and overflowing floods of worldly and carnal enjoyments.” [2]

Spiritually speaking, the comfort and joy of the Holy Spirit are the still waters by which the saints are led. Psalm 46:4 says, “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.” Revelation 7:17 says, “The Lamb, who is amid the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The goal of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is to bless us. Descending tears turn to leaping fountains of joy when He is leading us, and we are following Him.

Since God is his shepherd, David knows that he shall not want anything that is good for him.

According to Psalm 78:70-71, David was taken from following the ewes great with young. He knew by experience of the care and tender affection that they needed. God, in His grace, provided for them a skillful and faithful shepherd.

“If the Lord is my shepherd, my feeder, I may conclude I shall not want anything that is really necessary and good for me.” “More is implied than is expressed, not only, I shall not want, but ‘I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and, if I have not everything I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me or I shall have it in due time.’” [3]

He makes me to lie down in green pastures. A green pasture to God’s sheep will seem a dry pasture to a man whose god is his belly. The ungodly deems “soul food” as no food. His soul is starving for God, but he keeps indulging his belly with sumptuous food thinking that it will pacify his hunger. It does not. Proverbs 15:17 says, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.”

God is love. We were made in His image to receive and to give love. Life without love is not life.

God’s Word is the green pasture for our soul. In His Word, we learn of His love for us. He gives us peace and joy in His promises. In 1 Peter 2:2, Peter compares God’s Word to pure milk that is good for babes to drink. God’s promises are never eaten gone and never parched, but always a green. God makes His saints to quietly lie down in them and be content.

Are you blessed with the green pasture of God’s Word? Don’t just pass through! Lie down! Abide and rest in His pasture. “It is by a constancy of the means of grace that the soul is fed.” [4]

The Good Shepherd directs our affections into His love, and away from poisoned bitter waters.

“He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yea, 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.” Psalm 23:3-4

“He restores my soul [when I wander].” No creature will lose itself sooner than a sheep, so apt is it to go astray, and then so unapt to find the way back. When God shows them their error, gives them repentance, and brings them back to their duty again, He restores the soul. If He did not do so, they would wander endlessly and be undone. [5]

He leads me in the paths of righteousness. These are the paths in which all the saints desire to be led and kept, and never to turn aside out of them. The way of duty is the truly pleasant way. It is the work of righteousness that is peace. We cannot walk in paths of righteousness unless God both lead us into them and lead us in them. [6]

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, or rather, though I have received the sentence of death within myself, yet I will not fear. It is but the shadow of death. There is no substance to it.” [7]

Valleys are fruitful. God will bring forth good fruit from my valley experiences with Him. It is but a walk in this valley not a setting up of permanent residence there. I shall not be lost in it. I will come out on the other side of it better for having gone through it.

Paul wrote, “O death! where is thy sting?” Death cannot separate us from the love of God. Just as God brought you through illnesses, losses of loved ones and financial setbacks, His love will convey you from death in this world unto life in the next one. Hallelujah!

His rod and staff allude to the shepherd’s crook, or the rod under which the sheep passed when they were counted (Leviticus 27:32), or the staff with which the shepherds drove away the dogs that would scatter or worry the sheep. God knows those sheep that are His. He will drive the enemy away from them. [8]

Psalm 18:36 says, “You enlarged my path under me, so my feet did not slip.” Psalm 18:18-19 says, “The Lord was my support. He also brought me into a broad place. He delivered me because He delighted in me.” Proverbs 4:18 says, “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:5-6

“You prepare a table before me.” 2 Peter 1:3 says that God provides for us all things that pertain to life and godliness. David enjoyed a table spread, a cup filled, and a generous portion of food.

“My cup runs over.” “I have enough for myself and my friends too.”

“You anoint my head with oil.” Samuel anointed David king. Oil was also important to the preservation and health of one’s skin in the hot and dry desert.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Goodness and mercy shall be always ready to supply my needs. It shall follow me all my life long, even on into eternity.

In Lamentations 3:22-23, God says that His mercies are new every morning. His compassions fail not. Great is His faithfulness. As He sustained the Israelites with manna in the wilderness for a generation, so He can sustain us here on earth and forever in the eternal life that is to come.

“Goodness and mercy having followed me all the days of my life on this earth, when that is ended, He shall bring me to a better world, to dwell in His house forever. In our Father’s house, there are many mansions. With what I have I am pleased much; with what I hope for I am pleased more. All this, and heaven too!” [9]

In Luke 12:32, Jesus said, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Psalm 18:35 says, “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation. Your right hand has held me up. Your gentleness has made me great.”

David was determined to cleave to God. God was His prize. He considered knowing God superior to all other assets. God’s relationship with David helped him to be a great king of Isreal.


[1] Barnes Commentary
[2] Benson Commentary
[3] Ibid
[4] Matthew Henry Commentary
[5] Matthew Henry Commentary (edited for readability)
[6] Ibid
[7] Matthew Henry Commentary (direct quote)
[8] Matthew Henry Commentary (edited for readability)
[9] Matthew Henry Commentary (direct quote)