Psalm 23:1-2 ESV, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:1 NIV, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”
Psalm 23:1 NASB, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1 YLT98, “JEHOVAH [is] my shepherd, I do not lack.”
I grew up in Northwest Iowa, known for its rich farmland. My dad taught vocational agriculture in our high school, and most of my relatives were farmers, so I knew that a pasture has green grass and farm animals, such as sheep, that graze there throughout the daytime, eating the grass that is healthy, fertile, and nutritious and the animals help control weeds as they graze in a pasture setting. It is a common sight while driving through the country roads.
David wrote Psalm 23. His first job was that of a shepherd of sheep, so he wrote out of his own experience in describing the LORD as a shepherd. It has been known that sheep lie down in green pastures because it is a place of safety, rest, and abundant food. They prefer drinking out of still waters. If they see the stream of water moving, they become afraid because their wool coat would soak up the water like a sponge, and they could drown. Sheep easily get lost. Therefore, they rely on their shepherd to guide, protect, and provide for their needs. Our great shepherd does that for us in ways we don’t always see, understand, or realize. John 10:11 calls Jesus the good Shepherd. Hebrews 13:20 calls Him the great Shepherd, and 1 Peter 5:4, as the Chief Shepherd.
“While people of all ages love and quote this psalm, its message is for mature Christians who have fought battles and carried burdens.” Warren Wiersbe, “Be Worshipful. Glorifying God For Who He Is. OT Commentary. Page 94. It is a journey in life to learn that God wants us to rely solei on Him alone. Frustration, disillusionment, loneliness, despair, fears, and doubts are tools of Satan to distract us from following our great and good Shepherd. Our job, education, our house or home, will not give us long lasting contentment. Only the LORD will who is our good, great, and Chief Shepherd, beccause He knows you, John 10:14.
“Paul experienced a thorn in the flesh. Moses saw his efforts to do something for God utterly frustrated and turned into disaster. Each of these men of God experienced an adversity that caused him to realize his own weakness and his dependence on God. Each adversity was different, but each had a common goal of bringing these men to a place of greater dependence on God. If God is going to use you and me, He will bring adversity into our lives so that we, too, may learn experientially our dependence on Him.” Jerry Bridges, “Trusting God,” page 185.
David wrote Psalm 23 late in his life. Some think it was during the rebellion of his son Absalom, who tried to kill him. Yet David worships the LORD, in this psalm. We have a God-given promise that He will meet our need no matter what circumstances we are encountering.
- Jehovah Jireh – The LORD will provide – “I shall not want. I have all that I need.” Genesis 22:14.
- Jehovah-Shalom – The LORD our peace. Judges 6:24.
- Jehovah-Raphe – “Restoreth my soul” – The LORD who heals. Exodus 15:26.
Since Psalm 84:11 states “No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him” could it be that the very thing I feel I am lacking in, would not be good for me at this point, otherwise my great Good Shepherd would give it to me? Remember throughout the day that the LORD is your dependable protector and guide, and say to yourself, “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1.
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