Psalm 23

There are some super famous verses in this Psalm.

Psalm 23: 1-2, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.”

Our culture is so out of touch with shepherding that I must pause and really think about what David is saying and the impact it would’ve had during that time. A shepherd watches over and cares for his sheep. The sheep are free to roam, but the shepherd keeps them near. A shepherd wouldn’t make his flock lie down on a rocky landscape-no-he chooses GREEN PASTURES. Sheep are meek and they trust in their shepherd. God wants to give us the peace of resting in a green pasture and He wants to take care of all our needs.

Psalm 23: 2-3, “He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;”

Hallelujah! Jesus restores our souls. We often search and search for things to restore our souls like alcohol, relationships, work, kids, to-do lists…but the only One who can restore us is our shepherd- the Lord, who will lead us calmly, by still waters.

Psalm 23: 3, “He leads me in the paths of the righteous for His name’s sake.”

Shepherds must have relied on a good reputation in order to get hired and make a living. Their sheep needed to stay safe and well for the shepherd’s name sake. Similarly, God needs His sheep to be safe, well, and righteous for His name’s sake, to get more followers. When you think, “I don’t deserve God’s love, blessings, etc.” Well, it’s probably true, but God is going to take care of you anyway- for HIS name’s sake. That gives me some peace to know that there’s nothing I can do to deserve, or lose, His love and kindness. He’s just going to give it to me anyway, because He is our good shepherd.