"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" begins one of the most beautiful and familiar passages in all of the Bible. This psalm flows deep and majestic, yet its simple and smooth reading has resulted in many people memorizing it, even among children. This psalm is a psalm of confidence and trust in the Lord. It praises the Lord as both a protective shepherd and a gracious host. This article examines the Lord as a shepherd.

What Our Shepherd Does

In the section of this psalm that deals with the Lord as a protective shepherd, David declares five truths. First, "The LORD is my shepherd," obviously, declares that the Lord is the Shepherd of His people (Ps. 23:1a cf. Ps. 80:1; Isa. 40:10-11; Ezk. 34:11-12). The shepherd was a common sight to people of Bible times. The image conveyed a man who intimately and comprehensively cared for his flock. The shepherd was everything to his flock. He lived with it, protected it, guided it, fed it, and doctored it. David himself was a shepherd who willingly risked his life to care for his sheep (1 Sam. 16:11; 17:34-37). The Lord, of course, is much more of a shepherd to His people than any man could be toward his flock. However, like David, we must pledge our allegiance to the Lord if He is to be our Shepherd. Everything from this psalm flows from the "my shepherd" relationship. The Lord is worthy of our trust!

Second, "I shall not want" declares that the Shepherd supplies every need of His sheep (Ps. 23:1b). Because the Lord is the possessor of all, those whose allegiance is to Him have access to all blessings and, therefore, will have every need supplied, whether spiritual or physical (Ps. 37:25; 84:11; Mt. 6:33).

Third, the Shepherd gives adequate rest. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters" (Ps. 23:2). The picture this verse conveys is one of peace and tranquility. Lying down in "green pastures" and by "still waters" shows total absence of fear in the midst of what the Shepherd provides. Sheep must be unafraid before they will lie down. Even fast rushing waters will scare them. The Shepherd, unlike the hireling, thinks and provides in terms of His flock. He will always provide rest when needed. With this rest, "He restoreth my soul" (Ps. 1:3a). As literal sheep in green pastures and beside still waters are strengthened, so also is the soul whose Shepherd is the Lord. This strength is through the word of the Lord (Ps. 19:7).

Fourth, the Shepherd leads in every way that is right. "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (Ps. 23:3b). These "paths of righteousness" are "right paths," those that safely lead in the right direction, toward the right goal. For us, these paths involve moral direction (Ps. 11:5). Only God can lead us to true deliverance and blessing (cf. Ps. 5:8). The Lord does not force us or push us, but carefully leads. Why does the Lord so lead? "For his name's sake"! God acts for the sake of His nature and His reputation. Whatever He does is done to be true to Himself (Ps. 106:8).

Fifth, the Shepherd never forsakes His sheep, even in the worst of situations. "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" (Ps. 23:4). With the Lord as our Shepherd there is no need to fear, not even death. "Shadow of death" refers to all the dark and bitter experiences of which death is the ultimate (cf. Job 10:21; 28:3; Jer. 2:6). Although we do not know exactly when David wrote this psalm, many believe that it was written during one of his most stressful hours, such as when King Saul was hunting him down (1 Sam. 18-31), or during the rebellion of Absalom (2 Sam. 15-18). Death and dangers may lurk in the "valleys," but the Shepherd's flock cannot be harmed. Why is there no need to fear? "For thou art with me"! Not only does the Shepherd lead, but He also travels along side as an escort (cf. Ps. 16:8). He furnishes true comfort through His care, protection, and guidance (cf. "rod and staff"). Only the Lord can lead one through the difficult struggles, even death. All others turn back and leave us to face them alone.

Jesus Fulfills The Shepherd's Role

Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Shepherd of Psalm 23 (cf. Ezk. 34:23-24; Jn. 10:11-18). Jesus fulfills our every need, whether it be physical (Mt. 6:33), or spiritual (Jn. 6:53-58). Jesus gives adequate rest (Mt. 11:28-30). Jesus restores the soul (Mt. 18:11-14). Jesus leads in every way that is right (Jn. 6:66-69; Rom. 1:16-17). Jesus will never forsake His sheep (Mt. 28:20b; Heb. 13:5-6).

Is Jesus our Shepherd today? Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep....14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (Jn. 10:12-14). To be known of the Shepherd, we must "hear his voice" (Jn. 10:16), and obey His Gospel. Have we?