What Does Psalm 23 Really Mean? (Part One)
He leads me …
Psalm 23 is recognised by Christians and non-Christians alike. It is usually read at funerals because it is seen as a psalm of comfort. For many of us also provides hope, assurance and guidance.
Let us take a deeper look at this wonderful psalm for its greater meaning, and how it reveals the unconditional love that God has for all believers, by meeting their needs in the good, and not so good times.
To refresh our memories, here is the full psalm taken from the Expanded Bible -
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need [will lack nothing].
He lets me rest [makes me lie down] in green pastures.
He leads me to calm [quiet] water.
He gives me new strength [renews my soul].
He leads me on paths that are right [righteous; or straight]
for the good [sake] of his name [reputation].
Even if I walk through a very dark valley [or the shadow of death],
I will not be afraid [fear no evil],
because you are with me.
Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.
You prepare a meal [table] for me
in front [the presence] of my enemies.
You pour oil of blessing on my head [anoint my head with oil];
you fill my cup to overflowing [make my cup overflow];
Surely your goodness and love [loyalty]; will ·be with [pursue]; me
all my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23 was written by King David who as a boy looked after the family’s sheep. In ancient times, a shepherd’s work was regarded as one of the lowest jobs that could be done, so it went to the youngest son, in this case, David. In this psalm David is well qualified to share from his own experience about his great confidence and comfort that he has in the constant protection of a loving God.
In the New Testament Jesus referred to Himself as ‘the good shepherd’. This showed that He used David’s description to illustrate His role in bringing His committed love and care to all people.
What is the meaning of Psalm 23?
Verse 1 - 'The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need [will lack nothing].' David knew personally that God, guided and directed him, just as a shepherd did with his sheep. The words in the psalm imply that David’s Shepherd was literally with him in all that he did. As a result David could place his total dependence on his Shepherd - God.[1]
Throughout the Bible we can see that the Lord is a Shepherd to His people. The idea is first found in Genesis 49:24, where Jacob called the Lord the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. We can also see references to the Lord as the Shepherd in Psalm 28:9; Psalm 80:1; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Isaiah 40:11; and Micah 7:14, The remaining verses all refer to Jesus being the Shepherd - Zechariah 13:7; (quoted in Matthew 26:31), John 10:1; 10:14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; and 1 Peter 5:4.
I have everything I need [will lack nothing] means, ‘All my needs are supplied by the Lord, my shepherd.’ It also means, ‘I decide to not desire more than what the Lord, my shepherd gives.’[2]
Verse 2 - ‘He lets me rest [makes me lie down] in green pastures. He leads me to calm [quiet] water.’ The term green pastures illustrates greater or better opportunities. For David, it referred to being in a place of provision, where he will continue to prosper, and also where he finds the continuing peace of God.[3]
The Lord as the Shepherd knew to encourage David to rest when necessary, in the same way a normal shepherd would do for his sheep. Sheep do not always know what is right for them, so they need to rely on the shepherd to guide them the right way to places like green pastures, and still waters. It is here that they find comfort, care, and rest.[4]
Verse 3 – ‘He gives me new strength [renews my soul]. He leads me on paths that are right [righteous; or straight] for the good [sake] of his name [reputation].’ This means that the Lord restores, renews, and made His presence real to David. Even during the hard times, David’s faith in God’s guidance and safekeeping brings comfort. All concerns and pressure have gone, and it is possible to genuinely rest.
We may wander off the path that God intended for us, but just like a normal shepherd, the Lord will guide us back to the safe path for our benefit. When we are on this path, it is for the good [sake] of his name, in that He is making us more and more like Jesus, and from this He gets the glory.[5]
Verse 4 - Even if I walk through a very dark valley [or the shadow of death], I will not be afraid [fear no evil], because you are with me. Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.
Previously David wrote of green pastures and still waters and paths that are right [righteous; or straight]. But when we follow the Lord as our Shepherd, part of the journey will be through a very dark valley [or the shadow of death]. He does this to develop our trust in Him and for us to some extent identify with the suffering of Jesus. It also develops character. Proverbs 3:11-12 (AMP) brings some clarity when it says, ‘My son, do not reject or take lightly the discipline of the Lord [learn from your mistakes and the testing that comes from His correction through discipline]; Nor despise His rebuke, For those whom the Lord loves He corrects, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights’ (compare with Psalm 94:12; Daniel 11:35).
David uses the phrase, ‘very dark valley [or the shadow of death]’, which suggests some kind of dark, and intimidating situation. It is a valley of the shadow of death – David was not facing death itself, but the shadow of death, which was casting its dark, frightening outline for David to see. It may have appeared to David that he was unsafe and could be overwhelmed - but it was a shadow – not the real thing.
We will continue with looking at verse 4 and on to verse 6 in the next blog.
Dear Reader – If you have found some value in this blog, please feel free to send a copy on to your family and friends. Kind regards, John
[1] Psalm 23: Meaning, Origins, Context & Importance, christianwalls.com;
[2] Psalm 23 – The Lord Is My Shepherd And My Host, David Guzik, The Enduring Word Bible Commentary, enduringword.com;
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-23/
[3] Psalm 23: Meaning, Origins, Context & Importance, christianwalls.com;
[4] Psalm 23 – The Lord Is My Shepherd And My Host, David Guzik, The Enduring Word Bible Commentary, enduringword.com;
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-23/
[5] ibid
