Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd

Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well-known passage in the entirety of the Old Testament, and rightly so. It speaks so greatly of the Lord's leadership and presence amidst the deepest and darkest struggles of life. However, we often read this psalm as being a stuffed animal that comforts us amidst a time of fear and forget to read it as a two-edged sword that divises the thoughts and intentions of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). Although this psalm can certainly be read both as a stuffed animal and a sword, we must not forget to read it as both. Therefore, let us look at this psalm in both of its aspects today, that is, in its comforting nature as well as its convicting nature.

First, let us take a look at this psalm's stuff-animal comfort. The entire psalm is based on the premise of its first verse (quoted above). David as the psalmist is reflecting on the fact that since the Lord is his shepherd, he has the ability and even the admonition to not want any other thing. This statement leads David through the rest of the psalm to tell of the very things the Lord gives him as his shepherd. First, in verses 2-3, God provides David with peace. He makes him lie down in green pastures, leads him to still waters, and leads him to walk in paths of righteousness all for the purpose of restoring his soul. Second, in verse 4, God provides David with protection. Even though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death (which is simply imagery for a really really bad situation), David can fear no evil because God is with him, protecting him from whatever comes his way. David, amidst deep distress, is not afraid but rather comforted because he knows that the sovereign God is with him. Lastly, God provides David with provision. God prepares for David a table before him in the presence of his enemies and anoints his head with oil (both of which are images for blessing), ultimately that David's cup might overflow because he has more than he could ever need. Furthermore, God provides David with his very goodness, mercy, and presence, not only in this life but in the life to come. In summary, God provides David with peace, protection, and provision even amidst times of great distress.

Secondly, let us take a look at this psalm's double-edged-sword conviction. David puts before us two great admonitions in this psalm: "I shall not want" and "I will fear no evil." These are two great convicting statements if we read them in the correct way. The first speaks of our contentment, the second speaks of our faithfulness. Firstly, we ought to be content because God is our shepherd. In other words, we must desire nothing except for God's leadership and presence. If we desire anything beside the Lord himself, we are committing the sin of idolatry. Secondly, we ought to not fear anything as we have faith in the Lord who is our present leader. God is with us, protecting us, even in the valley of the shadow of death. Therefore, we shall not fear. However, if we do fear, we commit the sin of faithlessness. We become anxious amidst our distress instead of allowing our distress to draw us nearer to God. God convicts both David's heart and ours in this psalm by showing us that we must both not want and not fear because the Lord our shepherd is with us.

Lastly, let us apply this psalm specifically to our own lives. First, let us take comfort in this psalm. Do you find yourself in deep distress this morning? In other words, are you walking in a valley of a shadow of death? Or perhaps you aren't in a sorrowful time, but instead you are dwelling in green pastures and still waters. Either way, the Lord your shepherd is with you. Take comfort in the fact that he will provide you with is peace, protection, and provision forever and always. Secondly, let us allow this psalm to convict us. Do you want things that are not the Lord himself? Do you desire things that the Lord is not leading you to? I know that I am. Furthermore, do you fear? Are you anxious? I know I am. However, scripture here commands us not to be neither wanting nor fearing, but to rather find rest in the Lord's present leadership. Amen.