Psalm 23

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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." Psalm 23

The LORD! Who is this Lord? What is He like? Is He worthy to be called Lord? And is He willing to be Lord of our lives?

Is my shepherd. How can I know that He wants to be my shepherd? Will He be a shepherd that I can trust? And will He supply my needs? These are searching questions and they deserve a serious examination. Are we honest and truthful when we read these words?

The LORD is my shepherd. These are sobering words. These are words of commitment to those that read them. Do we really hear what we read? Where are our heart and mind when our lips speak these wonderful words of God?

I shall not want. What a positive, bold statement to make! We often testify that God will supply our needs, but to admit also that He will satisfy our wants is a different matter. I would be satisfied if it read, "I shall not need," but I'm more pleased that my Shepherd is able to satisfy my wants, aren't you. No doubt the main concept is that of no lacking but it is sure to mean being completely contented in the Good Shepherd's care and not craving or desiring anything more. But we must remember, life is real and we will experience the lose of material things. And since life is real, death also is real. We may suffer the lose of health, even the lose of loved ones by death. We may be disturbed by trouble in our family, our community, even the dread of war. But we yet can say, "

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. Now green is not my favorite color. But on a hot and dry summer day, when the grass begins to turn brown then brown is not my favorite color either. So it seems that whatever the situation, or when things change, it also changes what I like. Such as, if it has been hot and dry for a short time, my desire would be that the rain clouds come and hide the hot sun and give the earth a cool drink. But it won't be very long until you would hear me complaining, "Not enough sunshine." So then, we are not looking for green pastures with the natural eye, but with the spiritual eye. We will not be satisfied with the seen things of this world; only with the unseen.

So, this verse to me is: I will lie down in green pastures in the peace of my Good Shepherd. Paul put it this way: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

Finally, green pastures do not just happen by chance. They come only by hard work, time, and skill. One starts by cleaning the ground, this means removing trees, stumps, rocks, then it must be plowed deep. Then it must be plowed deep. Of course, the plowing will bring up more rocks, roots, which must be removed. Then comes the preparing for the seed. Oh yes, you will need it fenced. Much work involved.

So it is with the Christian life. We must give our lives over to God so He can remove all things that displease Him. Then we can lie down in the green pastures of our Good Shepherd. Because of our own self will, we often prefer to feed on the barren pastures of the world around us. But the Good Shepherd has supplied green pastures for those who care to move into them. And there find peace and plenty.

He leadeth me beside the still waters. What a refreshing illustration we have here. But first let's look at the other side of this thought, which would be troublesome waters. I'll be honest with you, I get nervous when I get near flooded creek and swelling rivers. They make a dreadful noise. It's a sight of unrest, danger, fear. I remember in my lifetime three persons being swept away by overflowing rivers. The muddy, churning waters are frightening to me. It's a never-ending flow of destruction.

I remember one Sunday afternoon in March of 1955 as I stood by the water's edge of McKenzy Creek and watched the muddy, miry, water as it came and covered my yard and snatched up my house to be and carried it out of sight under the bridge and down the creek.

But when I was a lad, I remember how peaceful it was to walk across the field to where the creek came down and ran under the bushes near the old farm home. There would be a pool of water under some overhanging trees where it was quiet and peaceful. Many times I have sat by a crystal-clear pool of water and felt as if I had not one trouble. For a few moments I would forget the hot and dusty field and the hard and burdensome work that was ahead. These were refreshing moments, but they were just moments of rest for the tired physical body.

But the Psalmist was not referring to the physical part of man. It was the Spiritual man that was led beside the still waters. When trouble comes to a child of God, when storm clouds arise, when troublesome waters appear, we find peace with our Good Shepherd. And He will lead us beside cool still waters of His loving care. In Matthew 5:6, He said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." (satisfied) At the feast in Jerusalem He said, "If any man thirst, let come unto me and drink," meaning to take in, or to accept, or to believe.

I believe there are those who have a deep inner sense of searching and seeking, desiring to be satisfied in the Spirit of God, but they are not sure where to look for it. They simply will not trust God completely, and because of this some will search in the wrong places. Instead of drinking the pure water of God, they will drink from any dirty pool trying to satisfy their thirst for those still waters of God. It is said that a sheep can go for a month without water if they have a good green pasture. Dew from early morning and late night grazing will satisfy their thirst. When one grazes in the green pasture of the Good Shepherd the hungry soul is fed and the thirst is satisfied.

He restoreth my soul. It is most important as a Christian that we claim kinship with the family of God. We can do this only through His only begotten Son, Christ Jesus our Lord. As a child of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, why would we need to be restored? We must not become so comfortable being in God's care that we overlook the temptations of the Evil One, lest we be cast down. We will do well to remember this man David, who was much loved by God. If, for a moment, we wander from the protective care of the Good Shepherd, we will fall into temptations, such as did David. Then we will cry to our Good Shepherd, "Restore my soul!" Then we can know why David said, "He restoreth my soul."

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. No doubt, David, being a shepherd himself, knew the sheep's inability to make their own way. A sheep must be the dumbest animal on earth. We all know that old saying, "The grass is greener on the other side of the fence." That is the real thought of a sheep. They can stand knee-high in grass with their head poked through the fence where there is hardly any grass at all. (Sounds about like an average Christian, doesn't it?) Also, when they are fat and heavy with a coat of wool they will lie near some low place in the field and roll into it on their back with their feet straight up. They can't get up on their own. They will lie there and die if someone doesn't come and help them up. Also, they will be scattered by the smallest threat of danger. Without a shepherd they will soon diminish to nearly nothing.

So it is with Christians. Without a Good Shepherd we will be scattered. But our Good Shepherd will lead us in the paths of righteousness. We also need a good pastor that will feed us with the good Word of God. It's amazing how Christians are so much like sheep. It's no wonder God called Christians sheep. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6)

We may think it strange that animals are always trying to get on the other side of a fence. Are not Christian the same way? I've seen in my lifetime those that come to join the church. They do and say all the right things that they will be expected by the church. Then they start looking for any fault, by anyone, including the pastor, so they can get out of the church. Truly men are stiff-necked and stubborn. We prefer to follow our own way, our own fancies. But or own ways are not always the right way. Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 says there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. But Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:9) We don't want to follow. We don't want to be led in the paths of righteousness, somehow it goes against our grain. We actually prefer to turn to our own way, even though it may take us straight into trouble. Such as, broken homes, broken hearts, ruined lives. The greed and selfishness of mankind leaves behind a legacy of ruin and remorse. Amid this chaos and troubles that we bring on our own self Christ, the Good Shepherd, comes and says, "If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Death is our enemy. Most of us don't want to talk of it, but death is real, and we must be ready to face it. When I was yet a sinner, I feared death more than any thing or any part of life. It seems that death ends everything, but death is just the beginning of eternity. To the lost — trouble; to the saved — peace. To the lost — torment; to the saved — happiness. To the lost — suffering; to the saved — joy. To the lost — forever separated from God; to the saved — forever to be with God. (Amen!) So when the child of God passes through the shadow of death, they will "fear no evil."

Have you ever been through the valley of the shadow of death?

Notice the verse, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the of the shadow of death." It did not say, nor do I think it means we die there, but walk through. Even though these verses are used to comfort those who have lost loved ones. But even here, for the child of God death is not an end, but the door into a higher and more glorious life Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Death is the dark valley leading to an opening of the eternal light. It is not something to fear, but an experience through which one passes on the path to a more perfect life. Amen! Our Good Shepherd knows this, so He said, "Lo, I am with you always," even in the valley of death.

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 (About the rod) A shepherd's rod was made from a sapling, which is dug from the ground. The enlarged base of the sapling, where the root joins the trunk is shaped into a round ball that becomes very hard when it is dried. From the base of the root it is shaped to fit the hand. It became a weapon in the shepherd's hand to be thrown with great accuracy, and was to guard the flock from any predators. So the rod was what he relied on to safeguard both himself and his flock in danger. As the rod in the shepherd's hand to protect his flock of sheep, and to discipline them as needed, so is the Word of God that gives us so great assurance in our own hearts as we read and obey it. It seems the Psalmist was saying: "The Scripture is God's rod of teaching and correction." Ezekiel 20:37 says: "And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant." (v. 38a) "And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me." In the Old Testament times, the rod was used to count and inspect the animals. They would cause them to pass under the rod, not only to be counted, but to examine them firsthand. A sheep that passed "under the rod" was one which had been counted and looked over with great care to make sure all was well with it.

As I said before, the rod that is mentioned here is a tool the shepherd used to protect and discipline the herd. So I see the Psalmist saying: "The rod of God's Word will comfort me, and thrash me, and keep me from falling into any sinful and dangerous traps of the Evil One. There is no substitute for the Scriptures in coping with immortality in our social order. We live in a difficult time, the days are evil. In every situation and under every circumstance there is comfort in knowing that God's Word can teach, and keep us from becoming involved in the sins of the world around us.

Thy rod (the Word of God) comfortest.

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. The staff was a part of the shepherd's equipment — probably the most personal part. Only a shepherd uses a staff. It is made from a slender piece of wood, such as a small sapling and shaped so it has a sharp point on one end and a crook on the other that will serve the shepherd in many ways. He will use the slender end of it to guide the sheep through and along dangerous places. It is also used while walking, especially by the older shepherds. One can lean on it while standing watch, while the herd is grazing, to rest on. So the staff is somewhat of a comfort to the shepherd himself. But the most important use of the staff is for the sheep. It is said a shepherd will use the crooked end of it to lift a new born lamb and bring it back to its mother while she is giving birth to another. If they become separated he will use the staff because he does not want to have the mother reject her offspring if it bears the odor of his hands on it. It is also used to reach out and catch individual sheep, young or old, to draw them close to himself so he may examine them closely. By drawing them close to him he will have a closer relationship with his sheep. It seems the Psalmist saw the staff as the Holy Ghost of God, giving him peace and comfort.

In our walk with God we are told by Jesus himself that it would be the Holy Ghost that would guide and comfort us, and to lead us into all truth. It is the Holy Spirit of God that draws us to read and study God's Holy Word, that we can have a closer and a more personal relationship with Him. Through Him (the Holy Spirit) I can have that wonderful feeling of peace in my soul that the Lord is my Shepherd.

Thou preparest a table before me. No doubt David thought of the provisions he must make for the sheep that were left to his care. He must prepare them a table, such as a good green pasture and clean water. As we said earlier, sheep will not drink where other animals have polluted the watering hole. And by the way, if a child of God will live his life as to please God, he will not water, nor feed in the polluted pastures and watering holes of this world.

In the presence of mine enemies. There was danger to his sheep out there in the fields, remember? David said to Saul, "I killed a lion and a bear" that were after his sheep. David was a good shepherd, wasn't he? He knew the danger, and was ready, and prepared to protect his own. Did David see himself as a sheep of the Good Shepherd? With all the danger that he had known, he knew who his enemies were. But he feared them not, for he was a sheep of the Good Shepherd in the presence of his enemies.

As a child of God, a sheep of the Good Shepherd, we also have an enemy; the Devil. He is out there, hiding behind some worldly thing — so, beware! But God, the Good Shepherd, is there with us in the presence of our enemies.

Thou anointest my head with oil. There are many kinds of insects that torment all types of animals. They are worse in the summer when they are grazing on the green pastures, and often they cause a serious problem among the herd. To name a few of these pests: the warble fly, the bot fly, the heel fly, the nose fly, the deer fly, the black fly, mosquitoes and gnats. Sheep are especially troubled by the nose fly, or nasal fly. These flies lay their eggs about the head of the sheep and it will cause inflammation, and sometimes death to the animal. So we can call these pests their tormentors, can't we? To solve this problem we would use kerosene and soot from the wood-burning stove. Sometimes add salt, then take a rag, tie it to the end of a stick and dip into the mixture and rub it on the animal's head and back. Or just pour the mixture on, letting it run down, anointing the animal with a protection against the pests that tormented them. Then the animals would graze on the green pastures, and afterwards lie down in a cool shady place and rest in peace.

What wonderful peace it is when God pours out that ointment of His Holy Spirit on us. It seems that all of our tormentors have been destroyed. But beware! The flies and gnats, with all the other pests will soon return to the herd. As soon as the shepherd notices just a few of them, he will round them up and anoint them once more with the mixture that will stay the tormentors for another time of peace and comfort. So it is with the child of God. We must be anointed again and again with the oil of the Holy Spirit, to stay the tormentor that will come again and again. Thanks be to God who anointest my soul with his Holy Spirit! That maketh my cup to run over!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life. The Psalmist, was a good shepherd himself, knowing how to protect them from want, providing them with good pastures, restoring health when needed, leading them in good pastures, and always providing good drinking water. He protected them with his rod and comforted them with the staff. He anointed them with the oil that would protect them against the pests. No doubt he knew God was a much better Shepherd to him than he could ever think to be to the sheep.

But one thing he was sure of; that the goodness and mercies of his Good Shepherd he could depend on. Can we be as sure as David was when he made this statement? If we are fully trusting in God as our Good Shepherd we can. It matters not what each day brings to one who is fully depending on God to direct his life.

This is a bold statement I know, but who could one put complete confidence in when one stands helpless, with no hope for recovery of an illness? Or when all hope is gone for that loved one that death is claiming? Or when one becomes old and body worn, but God, our Good Shepherd? His goodness and mercy follow me always.

Do we really love Him? Do we trust Him? He is lovable, He can be trusted. He will be to me what He said He would be. And His goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. The first verse of Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd." The last says: "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." The Psalmist had put complete confidence in God, the Good Shepherd, to keep him in every situation. To provide for him his every need, regardless of what it was:

Verse 2: He was sure of a good pasture. Which meant he would always have enough to eat. Also, he didn't worry about having water to drink.

Verse 3: He knew for his Good Shepherd's sake his soul would be restored to a right relationship with his Good Shepherd, and he would be led in a good path; a righteous path, for His name's sake.

Verse 4: Even the shadow of death would not trouble him. He would not fear evil; the Good Shepherd's rod would protect him from evil. He did not say evil would not come, but he would be protected from it. And he would be comforted by the Good Shepherd's staff.

Verse 5: He would always have a table before him. Even in the presence of his enemies. His complete trust was with the Good Shepherd that the oil of anointing of the Holy Spirit of God would cause his cup to overflow.

Then in verse 6 he concludes that he was sure that goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life, with complete confidence that he would in the end, dwell in the house of his Good Shepherd forever.

What a wonderful chapter Psalm 23 is! I did not say, neither can I say what should have been said of the chapter. But it has helped me to see my God more closely to me as my Good Shepherd. And it is my sincere hope that it will help to draw others into a closer relationship with our Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

Blessed be His Name!

— by Roy Brinkley

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Piedmont, MO 63957