Without a doubt, Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known portions of God's word. Even many unbelievers are familiar with it from funerals, and I've even heard some of the phrases found in this psalm - like "the valley of the shadow of death" alluded to in pop culture.
Honestly, I take Psalm 23 for granted. I read it with such familiarity that I neglect to stop and consider what it is saying. Recently, I took the time to slow down and savor it, and it was a blessing. Let's take a look at it together. It says:
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 for ever.
Verse 1 illustrates our relationship with the Lord through a metaphor. He is our shepherd. He is not a taskmaster or a slave driver. Instead, He watches over us and protects us as a shepherd would a flock of sheep - even protecting us from our own foolishness and ignorance. The phrase "shall not want" also stands out. The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) changes this to "I have everything I need." That, my friend, is not the same as "I shall not want." The CSB implies that I have no needs because I have everything already, whereas the KJV gives an accurate reflection of life: I may not have what I need right now, but I have faith in my Shepherd, and thus "I shall not want." To say that "I shall not want" is an act of will in the face of need, not a comment of present satisfaction.
Verses 2-5 puts all the emphasis on the Lord's actions on behalf of His sheep. Look at the verbs: maketh, leadeth, restoreth, leadeth, comfort, preparest, anointest.
Verse 2 reminds us that he makes us lie down in green pastures. Don't you need that sometimes? I know I do. I have a tendency to stubbornly (or perhaps pridefully?) want to stay on my feet, laboring and striving and driving myself to exhaustion whether the pasture is green or not. And most of the water that I find on my own is better described a "rushing current" ratherthan "still." And yet He makes me lie down in those green pastures sometimes, and leads me beside those still waters (because if He didn't lead me beside them I would either rush off to some new struggle or plunge head-first into the water without sense enough to come up for a breath).
Verse 3 is perhaps the most meaningful to me. He restores my soul. Thank you, Lord; You know how often I need that. Do you too often find your soul weary, and laden with burdens? Do you too sometimes feel the grit and grime that has accumulated on you from treading through this wicked world? The Lord restores our souls! And He leads us in paths of righteousness. Why? For His name's sake. His name - His reputation - is at stake. He must fulfill the promises He made in His word, and His promises include giving restoration and righteousness to His sheep.
Verse 4 places us in the dire straights - the valley of the shadow of death. But notice it is only the shadow of death, but even in that shadow we can find comfort knowing that His rod and His staff are in hand. It strikes me, however, that these are listed as two separate items. Our Shepherd carries both a rod - presumedly to drive away beasts - and a staff - presumably to guide us when we obstinately head toward trouble. There are many perils in the valley of the shadow of death - from without and from within - and our Shepherd is prepared for them all. Take comfort.
Speaking of the valley of the shadow is death, verse 5 reminds us that our enemies are close at hand. In fact, they are in our very presence! However, the Shepherd's rod keeps them in check. They can do no more than observe us at the table the Lord has prepared. They can do no more than grind their teeth as we are anointed, and howl in rage as we enjoy the blessing of a cup that runs over. I can't help but wonder if this is connected in some way to "His name's sake" from verse 3. Does the Lord take pleasure in blessing us in the presence of the Enemy? Does He take satisfaction in watching those that hate Him - and therefore hate us - chafe and snarl and curse as they see His endless grace poured out on the undeserving sinners who have simply trusted Him? I think He does.
The psalm concludes with verse 6, which creates a sort of bookend. Just as in verse 1, the word "shall" appears again, this time accompanied by the word "surely." Both of these communicate faith in the Shepherd. Right now the pasture may not be green, and the waters may not be still. Right now my soul may be weary and worn. Right now all I may be able to see is the valley. Right now the rod and the staff of my Shepherd may be outside my field of vision. Right now those enemies are in my presence, and there is no table to stand between us. But I have a Shepherd, and I shall not want. I have a Shepard, and goodness and mercy will appear throughout my life to remind me of that truth. I have a Shepherd, and even if the shadow of the valley of death becomes the icy touch of death itself, I will be with my Lord forever.
Praise God!
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