Psalm 23 - The Shepherd-King

What if Psalm 23 isn't really about sheep?

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

³ he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

⁴ Even though I walk

through the darkest valley [under death's shadow], 

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

Belgic Confession

Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church

We believe and confess

one single catholic or universal church—

a holy congregation and gathering

of true Christian believers,

awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ

being washed by his blood,

and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit.

This church has existed from the beginning of the world

and will last until the end,

as appears from the fact

that Christ is eternal King

who cannot be without subjects.

And this holy church is preserved by God

against the rage of the whole world,

even though for a time

it may appear very small

in the eyes of men—

as though it were snuffed out.

For example,

during the very dangerous time of Ahab

the Lord preserved for himself seven thousand men

who did not bend their knees to Baal.

And so this holy church

is not confined,

bound,

or limited to a certain place or certain persons.

But it is spread and dispersed

throughout the entire world,

though still joined and united

in heart and will,

in one and the same Spirit,

by the power of faith.

Summary

Psalm 23 is one of the Bible's most familiar passages, and for good reason! Psalm 23 is poetically beautiful, theologically rich, and massively comforting. It soothes our souls when we're in green pastures, as well as when we find ourselves in the dark valley.

One of the reasons Psalm 23 is so enduring is that the opening metaphor of a shepherd tending His sheep seems so appropriate. After all, the Bible often refers to us - God's people - as being the sheep of His pasture (Psalms 79, 95, 96, 100, John 10, just to name a few). It only makes sense: sheep are driven only by their appetites, they're stubborn, prone to wander away, and completely lost and vulnerable once separated from their shepherd. Just like us.

But re-read Psalm 23, and stop when you get to the word sheep. You won't stop, because it's not there. Yes, the shepherd motif continues, using metaphorical language like green pastures and the shepherd's rod and staff, but David doesn't go so far as to call us sheep!

Your appreciation and application of Psalm 23 will grow once you understand the full imagery behind it. Yes, for sure, the LORD is our shepherd, but He's so much more than just a gentle farmhand sitting on a hillside tending a flock of sheep. In the Ancient Near Eastern culture that David wrote in, kings were understood to be the shepherds of their people. So here's David, the preeminent shepherd-king of Israel, indicating that he bases his comfort on the fact that he is under an even greater King.

  Dig Deeper  

If we stick to the shepherd / sheep metaphor, it seems to fizzle out half way through when the scene shifts to a table prepared in the presence of our enemies. Sheep are like us in many ways, but they don't sit at tables. But if we understand Psalm 23 as a picture of our relationship of the sovereign King of the universe who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for His sheep, the final two verses aren't merely just a change in imagery, but rather they're a progression showcasing the King's protective role.

The prepared table and overflowing cup, then, become expressions of royal patronage and covenant blessing rather than simple pastoral provision. When read through a royal lens, this table reflects the king’s responsibility to ensure the welfare and honor of those under his protection. And not just minimum welfare, but an invitation to the King's luxurious table in the presence of our enemies!

If our shepherd is the King, then dwelling in the house of the LORD represents entering the divine King’s palace - the ultimate expression of security and covenant favor. And David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, assures God's people that we'll dwell in this house of the LORD forever!

So no matter wherever you find yourself in life - whether you've been given charge over much, like King David, whether you're lying down in green pastures and being guided along quiet waters and right paths, or whether you find yourself under a heavy shadow as you walk through the darkest valley, find your confidence in the fact that you are forever a subject of the LORD, the Shepherd-King who sovereignly reigns over all things.

AAA Prayer (About)

• ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, the LORD, our shepherd;

• ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank your Shepherd-King that you lack nothing, and pray that His goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life as you follow His leading;

• ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:

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