The Shepherd's Psalm (Pt. 1)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 ESV).

 

One of my favorite psalms is known as “The Shepherd’s Psalm.” Some have even given it the moniker of “The Song of the Nightingale.” However we reference this great song of encouragement, it is one of the most read and referenced of all the Old Testament. Our reading is taken from the first few verses.

 

Perhaps a bit of background is important as we begin a look through the verses of the 23^rd Psalm. Sheep and shepherds are common metaphors in the Old Testament. God is often mentioned as the shepherd of His people Israel. Only once, however, do we find the name Yahweh Ra’ah, which means “the LORD is my shepherd” (v. 1). The Hebrew word “ra’ah” is the common word used for “shepherd.” It describes one who tends, leads, feeds, and protects his flock of sheep. Immediately we then see the reference that God, Yahweh Ra’ah, cares for his people, providing for all their needs and guiding them in protection. Yahweh Ra’ah cares for his covenant people as a flock and as individual, precious sheep. As we fast forward to the Gospels, we hear Jesus say:

 

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:7-15 ESV).

 

As we journey through this psalm, we must remember that the Lord is our protector, provider, and guide. Throughout our lives we find ourselves facing the same questions in different circumstances. We come to a point of desperation, near hopelessness, because we simply have forgotten that Yahweh Ra’ah is looking over us. There will not be one lost; there will not be one abandoned. And, once the journey is finished, we will find perfect rest and abundance.