Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

PSALM

CHAPTER 23

1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

First, look at the inscription, "A Psalm of David." This song is a song written by a shepherd about THE SHEPHERD.
David actually was a shephered TWICE in his life. He was a shepherd of sheep before the Lord called him to be the shepherd (king) of Israel.

David KNEW about SHEEP! My friend, sheep are stinking, dumb animals. They have no better sense than to "wander off" seeking the greenest grass. They are in NEED of a shepherd to keep them in the right pasture.

Sheep also have a very bad problem. If they fall over, and land on their back, they don't know how to get back up. They'll lay right there and die unless someone comes to pick them up.

Sheep have many problems, but there is ONE good thing about them. When they are truly devoted to their shepherd, they will NOT follow another!

We humans can learn a lot about ourselves by studying sheep. David had studied sheep while he cared for them. He knew the similarities between sheep and people, and that's why he wrote this song.

Second, look at that first verse. This is a song of COMMITMENT. David is saying that the LORD (Jehovah) IS his Shepherd. He has committed his life into the hands of the Lord, and will not follow another!

Third, this song is about the CARE of the Shepherd. Because David has committed his life into the hands of God, he will NOT WANT for anything. God provides all he NEEDS.

Often, we humans of the 21st century, define NEEDS in a peculiar manner. We think we NEED the comforts of riches and popularity, etc. But our real needs are SPIRITUAL in nature - not physical. Of course, we DO need physical things in order to exist; but they are really very few. All we really need is a roof over our heads, food to eat and water to drink. We can physically be very fit with just those basic needs.

But what most people don't grasp in this world today is that our GREATEST need is salvation from our sinfulness. See how David addresses our basic needs and our greatest need at the very beginning of this song.

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.

God CAUSES (verse 2) us to take rest and provides the "green pastures" for our food. He also leads us to "still" waters of which we will not be afraid, and can drink our fill. Physically, God provides all we need to live.

RESTORATION of our souls (dead in sin) is provided by God (verse 3). And once we are restored to a right relationship with Him, He GUIDES us in the right paths for His glory.

Spiritually, God provides all we need to live SATISFIED in Him! God causes us to stop and meditate upon him. He gives us REST from the weariness of the world around us by giving us prayer. And He "feeds" us daily on the "green pastures" of His Word. He also grants us the "fountain of life" in Jesus Christ.

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.

We all face death. But with God, there is no "evil" to fear in death. When we know Christ as our LORD, and SAVIOUR, then we are assured He will come to receive us to Himself at the point of our death.

Also, as we live life, we have God's "rod and staff." This is His WORD.

The rod of the shepherd was to guide the sheep on the right path. That's what God's Word does for the Christian.

The staff of the shepherd was used to set the sheep back on his feet if he fell over and couldn't get back up. The Word of God will do that for a person who truly has chosen to serve God.

It is truly a COMFORT to have God's Word with us to guide us and put us in the right position.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

David had experienced several times in his life when God had prepared food for him and all those with him even when he was surrounded by the enemy.

In life, Christians are surrounded by the enemy. But God provides the "food" we need for daily sustenance. He not only provides physical food, but also spiritual food which strengthens us even more.

The anointing of the "head with oil" was a sign of God's divine providential care and His divine election. David had been anointed to be king over Israel while Saul was still king. God had CHOSEN him for a special task, and God would be sure that he completed that task.

These provisions of God, as THE SHEPHERD of our souls, is enough to make our "cup" run over with the fullness of joy!

BUT THERE IS YET MORE!!!

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.

If indeed your soul has been "restored" to a right relationship with God, you will enjoy His goodness and mercy all your physical life.

Yes, you will face difficult times. There will be days of shock and grief. But God will BE THERE! His GOODNESS and His MERCY is to BE THERE, and be our comfort and strength.

THEN, after this physical life, we shall "dwell in the house of the LORD FOREVER!" WHAT a PROMISE! What a JOY to know!

In GOD'S HOUSE there is no shock, grief, sadness, or anxious moments. That's because in GOD'S HOUSE there is NO sin! Holiness and righteousness and goodness and mercy prevail forever in God's house. And we have this promise from Him, to live there forever, if we surrender to Him as the SHEPHERD of our lives!

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28)