Joel M Bradshaw

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.–Psalm 23

One of the most famous chapters of the Bible. It’s a guaranteed read at a funeral graveside service, and it’s a fountain of theology. Yeah, you read that right. We just need this verse. A verse so famous, that you might be able to approach random people in a crowd and say, “The LORD is my shepherd…” and I would imagine many could finish the line.

The verse does three basic things. I’ll take them slightly out of order and from David’s perspective, since he wrote from the first person.

1. DAVID SAW HIMSELF AS A SHEEP WITH A SHEPHERD. I don’t know if this is younger David who was singing this song out in the fields as he shepherded the sheep or older King David who in a sense shepherded his nation. But David saw the metaphor work for him as well. He saw himself just like those needy, helpless sheep in need of a shepherd’s guidance and care. If this is younger David, it was simply a natural way for a shepherd to look at his life. Maybe he was like those sheep? If this is older David, this is a profound and humbling metaphor. What king would see himself this way? A King after Gods own heart, that’s who.
2. DAVID’S SHEPHERD HAS A NAME. We miss this in English, but the Hebrew is clear. David recognized his shepherd as Yahweh, the champion of the Exodus story, he deliverer of Israel, the great God who chose to covenant and care for his people. David’s God was not some nameless force or being, but personal and knowable. David could therefore pray to him, trust him, and see his times in his hands (Psalm 31:14-15).
3. DAVID SAW HIMSELF AS A SATISFIED SHEEP. As a shepherd, David was in charge of providing for the needs of his flock and to eventually bring them to safety and rest. In Psalm 23, David pictured the sheep being fed, watered, and even laying down. David no doubt knew what a satisfied sheep looks like that didn’t want or need for anything. In fact, as a shepherd that would have brought David joy and purpose. He saw himself as satisfied with the shepherding of his Shepherd.

I have two little dogs. They are on the couch with me right now. One laying next to my leg as I sit and the other higher up the couch near my head. But these doggies have a morning routine. Most days, I get their leashes on early and we go for a walk through the neighborhood. Next, water and food bowls are filled and addressed. Next, the dogs go room to room to check and sniff for everyone. They are just fine in the early morning if the kids are still sleeping. And after all of that, they lay down. If I am at the couch, they proceed as I described. If I am in the kitchen, then they find their doggy beds. If I am walking around, they follow me and then sit down when I do.

The point is that their needs are met and they can rest satisfied. I don’t know what they consider me. They like my wife the most. They are older dogs and so they seem to prefer my sitting down over the kids wanting to carry them around. But they do rest by me. They are satisfied dogs. It brings me joy to see their needs met and simply resting at peace.

I love that this psalm is full of the word “I” and “my” instead of “you” and “their”. It makes it personal. So make it personal. Do you see yourself as a sheep with a shepherd? Do you recognize Yahweh as your shepherd and humbly submit to his leading and care? Are you a satisfied sheep? How is your attitude when it comes to God?

Those of us who have read the book of John know also these famous words. They mirror Psalm 23. John 10…

14“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…

I am thankful for these words of Jesus. They remind me that he cares for me. He provides, protects, and delivers. What a great image Jesus used! He is David’s descendant, remember.

Let’s land the plane with this. Humbly see yourself as dependent upon God and in need of his constant guidance and care. Exist in a personal relationship with him where he knows you and you can call upon him in prayer. Maintain an attitude of satisfaction in and with him. Otherwise, you are telling your shepherd that he is not enough and that how he provides is somehow lacking. Be a satisfied sheep. Now to see if I can refill my coffee cup without waking up the dogs by me.–JMB