“The Lord Is My Shepherd”

Thank you for sharing!

Anxiety, fear, depression, deprivation, danger, death. In the face of all such troubles and more, there are probably few words more remembered than these: the Lord is my Shepherd.

Several years ago, my mom, my sister, and I went through Robert J. Morgan’s 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart. All six verses of Psalm 23 were among them, of course. How could they not be? And I actually already knew them by heart, but when things grow familiar, we don’t pay them much attention anymore. How much conscious thought goes into signaling at an intersection when you’ve been doing it most of your life? That’s about how much consideration I gave this psalm. I could recite it, but what was I saying?

To a large degree, I didn’t really know. I glossed the whole thing over with the easily imagined, peaceful simplicity of the opening scene–green pastures, still waters, a restored soul and paths of righteousness–called it a psalm of assurance, and oh, well if I didn’t know what that table in the presence of my enemies was all about or how a rod and staff could comfort me. It was all basically the same idea, wasn’t it?

Well, yes. Every verse in Psalm 23 is a declaration of the ways God cares for his sheep.

But it’s amazing how much more encouraging those verses are when you know why they’re encouraging.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death

The valley of the shadow of death seems pretty self-explanatory. My Shepherd walks with me through the darkest of times, and I have nothing to fear.

But what is it about him that calms me down? Just because he’s God? Is that enough?

Here’s what I know about God. He lets people die when they’re too young. He allows suffering, leaves prayers unanswered. With one word, he could make the pain go away, whatever kind it is, but so often he lets it linger instead. And linger. And linger.

This is the presence in which I have nothing to fear?

Yes.

Because he’s also the God who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Another verse everyone should know.)

My fears aren’t assuaged because my Shepherd steers me clear of the darkness. In fact, if he did, it would be to my detriment. I can’t know the sweet without the bitter. But to rephrase David’s words, “Even though I walk in the shadows, my hope in Christ is constant.” Because Christ overcame the shadows.

It was another of these 100 must-know verses that painted for me a very vivid picture of what this peace in Christ looks–and feels–like.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Whether you’re literally in the shadow of death or just in shadows that feel like death, can you imagine the Savior coming to you there and receiving you unto himself? Taking you to the place he’s prepared for you? To the place he used that darkness to prepare you for? Maybe it’s a heavenly home. Maybe it’s simply a new, happier season in this life. But wherever it is, he’s there, too.

No reason to fear the dark when there’s someone on your team who conquered it.

The Comfort of My Shepherd’s Rod and Staff

All that said, if you’re in a faith crisis like I’ve been in for the last I don’t know how many years, maybe there’s not much comfort in what’s on the other side of the shadows when they’re still smothering you. What’s the Shepherd doing about that, I’m sure you’d like to know.

This is actually the part of that verse I found most consoling. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.”

Jesus isn’t like a hotel manager with those mansions in heaven, getting everything ready for our comfort when we arrive but ultimately leaving the getting there up to us. Our getting there is the crux of his whole mission. That’s what he died for. So, when our place is prepared, he doesn’t then cross his fingers and hope we make it. He comes back, not just to greet us at the end of the valley when we stumble out–if we stumble out–but to plunge right into the shadows and find us. After all, no one knows them better than him.

And like a shepherd’s staff wards off predators and pulls the sheep back when they wander, Jesus is there to make sure those shadows grow, strengthen, and teach us as they need to without destroying us in the process.

A Table in the Presence of My Enemies

Now comes the part I probably ignored the most. The rest of David’s words I could mostly picture, but what did this table in the presence of my enemies look like? Me feasting at a banquet while my enemies watched with watering mouths?

I guess there might be something to that. No doubt those who have rejected Christ all their lives are pretty sorry when they watch from their eternal misery all those who go to eternal life.

Many people do expound on this verse in the direction of a feast, likening us to guests at the Savior’s table, where he feeds us, sees to our comfort, and ensures no harm befalls us while we’re there. But why would David, a shepherd who, to this point in the psalm, has been talking about a shepherd’s journey with his sheep, suddenly jump to a banquet hall?

I don’t think he did, and reading Robert J. Morgan’s perspective about a shepherd leading his flock up to the tablelands, it finally made sense. The table of Psalm 23 isn’t a piece of wood on four legs. It’s higher ground. A natural place of defense.

Who typically wins a battle in war? The army on the hill.

So, when enemies beset us, whether external or internal, the Shepherd leads us upward.

The Lord is My Shepherd Forever

Our Shepherd is present for the whole journey, behind us, before us, and beside us. Goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives as the nicks, cuts, bruises, and abrasions of the trip are anointed with oil and soothed. And in the end, the blessings of faithfulness far outweigh whatever might have been lost along the way–or whatever was never had in the first place. Some things might be missing, but when we dwell in the house of the Lord, we won’t even be able to hold everything that’s not.

All’s well that ends well.

What interpretations would you add? Or change? Share in the comments what God has used Psalm 23 to teach you.

“The Lord Is My Shepherd” Lyrics

Words by James Montgomery
Music by Thomas Koschat

The Lord is my Shepherd; no want shall I know.
I feed in green pastures; safe-folded I rest.
He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,
Restores me when wand'ring, redeems when oppressed,
Restores me when wand'ring, redeems when oppressed.

Through the valley and shadow of death though I stray,
Since thou art my Guardian, no evil I fear.
Thy rod shall attend me, thy staff be my stay.
No harm can befall with my Comforter near,
No harm can befall with my Comforter near.

In the midst of affliction, my table is spread.
With blessings unmeasured, my cup runneth o'er.
With perfume and oil thou anointest my head.
Oh, what shall I ask of thy providence more?
Oh, what shall I ask of thy providence more?

Psalm 23 – The Lord Is My Shepherd

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
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.
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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.

Scripture References

• Psalm 23
• John 3:16
• John 14:2-3

Pin It For Later