By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
GOD’S CARE
Psalm 23:1–6
Psalm 23 is the most beloved psalm of the Psalter. Charles Haddon Spurgeon called it “the pearl of the psalms.” Alexander MacLaren, the noted Scottish expositor, said, “It has dried many tears and supplied the mold into which many hearts have poured their peaceful faith.” James Montgomery Boice wrote: “Ministers have used it to comfort people who are going through severe personal trials, suffering illness or dying. For some, the words of this psalm have been the last they have ever uttered in life.” This psalm is a masterpiece of inspired praise that testifies of God’s abundant provision, protection and care for His people.
God’s Provision (1–3)
This psalm is a masterpiece throughout, but if ever a psalm could stand on a single line, it is Psalm 23:1. The word “LORD” is an English translation of the Old Testament personal name for God, revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:14) and then repeated more than 6,000 times in the Old Testament.
The name literally means “I am who I am.” It refers to God’s timelessness and to His self-sufficiency. Timelessness means that God is always the same in His eternal attributes. His self-sufficiency means that God needs nothing. He is perfectly complete in Himself. He does not need anyone’s wisdom, power or help. He is not accountable to anyone.
David declared that the eternal, personal, faithful, covenant-keeping God was his Shepherd. The responsibilities of shepherds included their constant and undivided attention. Shepherds were responsible for providing every need of every sheep in their flock.
This first verse is breathtaking. David wrote that he would never lack anything because he was personally cared for by the God who lacked nothing. If we belong to the One who is self-sufficient, inexhaustible and utterly unchanged by time, we will lack nothing. God is sufficient for all things and will provide for us.
Sometimes we are spiritually on our backs, quite helpless. Jesus our Shepherd comes to us and gets us back on our spiritual feet again. God sovereignly directs our steps through life for His glory.
God’s Protection (4)
This verse is often used to comfort people who are dying or at funerals to comfort people who have lost a loved one. God is certainly a source of comfort at the time of death. But this verse primarily speaks of a shepherd’s ability to protect his sheep in moments of danger. Shepherds would lead their sheep from the lowlands, where they spent the winter, through the valleys to the high pastures, where they spent the summer.
The valleys not only were sources of rich pasture and water but were also places of danger. Wild animals, flash floods and thieves were commonly encountered in the valleys. David knew his Shepherd was always with him, protecting him in every circumstance.
God’s Care (5–6)
David appears to have shifted from the imagery of a shepherd to the imagery of a host in the closing verses. He celebrated God as his gracious Host by describing how the Lord cared for him by providing food, oil and wine for him in spite of the enemies he faced. God’s goodness and steadfast love pursued him all the days of his life, and he was determined to spend the remainder of his days worshipping the Lord.
Can you declare as did David: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need”? Are you one of God’s sheep?
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