Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
If He is my shepherd then I’m a sheep.
– Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray…”
– A simple, dumb animal.
– No sense of the reality of life around it.- It’s own black and white vision
– It’s own judgement.
– No shepherd, no life. (It’s own wool is a hindrance!)
“I shall not want”
– The shepherd does everything! (feed, protect, heal, guide…etc)
– The shepherd is everything to me!
– He satisfies! He satisfies me!! (Nothing else has, or does!)
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
“He maketh…He leadeth” – He’s a good shepherd. :)
– He feeds me and waters me (physically and spiritually)
– I can testify this to be true!
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
“He restores my soul” – A soul that was dead and lost in sin.
– Lost in selfishness, pride and rebellion.
– He restored me!!
“paths of righteousness” – There are right ways and wrongs ways
– Some times the right way isn’t fair, just or easy
– He teaches me to walk in HIS name. To walk as HIS sheep. To represent Him!
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.
“the shadow” – A shadow can do no harm.
“fear no evil” – I fear nothing!! I have nothing to be afraid of!
– My shepherd is with me.
“his rod and his staff” – He disciplines me because He loves me!
– Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
– He keeps me from danger, protects me from sinning, wandering…
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
“prepare a table” – Even when all is against me and everyone is against me – He prepares a feast of joy, peace, assurance…
“anointest” – He makes me His son! A prince! An heir to His inheritance!
“my cup” – Abundant life. It runs over with life!
– It runs over with His blessing, His life – overflowing… It is seen and felt by others.
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.
“Goodness and mercy” – Sheep dogs!
– When I remember what the Lord has done. I’ll never go back anymore!!
– When I remember His goodness and mercy to me so far they ‘nip my heels’ to run on!!
Learning With Lovell 