07-26-2026 Psalm 23 You and Me
Text: Psalm 23
This morning we’re going to look at the most quoted text in the Bible. It has six verses and 118 words that help us in time of need. It’s been present in many sick rooms also dried many tears at funerals. Because it’s so familiar to us, we may miss the daily help it offers. So, I thought it would be a good time for us to get reacquainted with Psalm 23 where David wrote: “ (1) The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
This psalm has an interesting location in the Bibie. Psalm 22 is known as the Psalm of the Cross and Psalm 24 is known as the Psalm of the Kingdom. Between Mount Calvary and Mount Zion, we’re told about green pastures and still waters in Psalm 23, also known as the Psalm of the Shepherd. Let’s look a little deeper at what’s so helpful about this psalm when we choose to apply its message to our daily lives.
It begins by presenting the Lord as our Shepherd. Remember that David himself had been a shepherd but now he is picturing himself as a sheep. Isaiah 53:6 tells us that like lost sheep, we have all gone astray. And in Matthew 9:36 we’re told that Jesus looked upon us as sheep without a shepherd. But the sheep named David had a great shepherd, and thankfully so do all those who let Jesus lead them.
Jesus tells us in John 10:11 that He is the Good Shepherd that lays down His life for His sheep. We’re reminded in Hebrews 13:20 that Jesus is the Great Shepherd who was brought back to life by God so that all who choose to follow Him can be saved. Peter reminds us in I Peter 5:4 that Jesus, the Chief Shepherd is coming back to get His sheep; and when He does, we will receive our crown of glory. So, we all should ask ourselves if the Lord Jesus Christ our Shepherd. If you answer yes, that’s good. If not, then don’t waste another minute. Let Him be your Shepherd!
Verses 1-4 of the psalm tell us how the sheep are being provided for. The words ‘I shall not want’ in verse 1 are a reminder to us that our God is enough. It’s not just we don’t want for certain things, it’s that we won’t want for anything when we are led by the Good Shepherd.
Verse 2 tells us He makes me to lie down in green pastures. This speaks of the restoration and strength that only He can give us. Green pastures speaks of nourishing food and rest for our bodies and minds and reminds us that any other path that’s followed is not of God and will instead lead us to barren pastures and a life of turmoil. Still waters speaks of the comfort and peace that only comes from God. Jesus tells us in John 7:37-39 that anyone who is thirsty can come to Him and drink for whoever believes in Him will have rivers of water running through them. In other words, belief in Jesus will satisfy our thirst for what is missing in our life and accepting Him as Savior will allow rivers of living water (which is a reference to the Holy Spirit) to lead us to eternal life in Heaven.
Verse 3 shows us how our Good Shepherd restores our soul and leads us to righteousness for His name’s sake – even when we backslide and lose our way. Did you know that when there is a lamb in the flock that continues to leave the shepherd’s appointed path, sometimes the shepherd will break its leg, carefully set it, then carry it on his shoulder close to His heart until the wound is healed. This symbolizes how sometimes the Father – earthly and Heavenly - will discipline His children to show His love for them by teaching that actions have consequences and is further explained in Hebrews 12:5-11. Our Shepherd Jesus knows how to guide us to the green pastures and still waters that are needed to truly restore our souls. We can only find these places by allowing Jesus to be our leader through life among nonbelievers and the temptations that Satan uses to keep us separated from God. When we depend on Jesus to guide us, He will restore our souls and allow us to have a life of contentment and refreshment. When we choose to go our own way into a life of sin, we only have ourselves to blame for the environment in which we will eventually find ourselves. Deciding not to be led by Jesus is to decide to run away from our own best interests because we will not have a guide to take us to places where we can find true rest and peace.
Satan will always attack us in an effort to pull us away from God. Verse 4 tell us the evil of Satan leads to eternal death. But when we find we are being pulled by this evil we don’t have to be afraid because we can call on the Shepherd to keep us safe. How many times do you hear someone say they want to go to Heaven but are afraid to die? Well, this Psalm is a reminder that we never have to be afraid when we are facing death. There will be times when we have to struggle with pain, depression, disease, and injury but with strength and courage given to us by our Shepherd, we can overcome these struggles. And when the time comes, we cannot overcome death because death has the final word -- but only in our earthly life. The only person can walk with us through death’s dark valley and bring us safely into the light of Heaven is Jesus our Savior. Life and death are uncertain, but we have the One who gives us comfort and light in the darkness to be our guide.
In ancient Middle Eastern culture, it was customary for Hosts to anoint guests with fragrant oil at a feast or banquet. They were also expected to protect their guests at all costs. Verses 5 and 6 remind us that like a banquet host, our God offers protection even when enemies surround us. In the final scene of this psalm, we see that believers will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Our Lord’s goodness gives us green pastures and still waters and His mercy retrieves us when we foolishly leave the paths of righteousness. As long as the Lord is our Shepherd, we can expect all the promises of Psalm 23 for all the days of our lives. Jesus, the perfect Shepherd and Host, promises to guide and protect us throughout our earthly lives and will be there to lead and welcome us as special guests into the house of Lord for ever.
Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.