Psalm 23

God is doing a new thing this season. Sometimes, we have to wait on His instructions before things work out according to His plan. For this blog, we will study Psalm 23 by breaking it down verse by verse. Sometimes, we read it, read it again and again, and still miss what the Lord is saying. I pray this new style of blog teaching helps to enlighten, encourage and strengthen your faith.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

23 A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

While this Psalm is typically used at a time of death or distress, it may be used when someone is having difficulties in life. Longman states, "Psalm 23 is a song of confidence or trust in the Lord." The Lord is our Shepard, and we are the sheep, because He cares for us, as a shepherd looks after his herd.

So, now let's unpack it.

Verse 1-As established, the Lord is our Shepard. We shall not want because God supplies all of our needs. Philippians 4:19 (ESV) states, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Everything we need from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, food we eat, clothes we wear or whatever it is we need is provided for by God.

Oh, I understand, it's hard to imagine that the God above is concerned with the little needs, such as a new pair of shoes, mortgage payment, or a car. But He is concerned. Anything that is concerning to you is concerning to Him.

Verse 2:" He makes me lies down in green pastures and leads me to the still waters." Oh, how He longs for us to rest in Him. The calmness of a chaotic world is only found in Jesus. It is in the leading He sustains and provides for us. He longs for us to have a refreshment and renewing in Him.

Isaiah 32:18 states, "My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." A place of no interruptions. A place of peace.

Verse 3: "He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."

When we allow God to lead our lives, He restores our souls by giving us His guidance, His provision for us. He leads us down a journey that is life giving, leads us to the crown of righteousness.

Proverbs 3: 6 (ESV) states, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." A path that He has purposed and planned for us. But more often than not, we take detours, we take the backroads filled with potholes and weeds. We get off course, but Jesus is so gentle and full of grace, that He leads us back to the narrow path of righteousness which leads us to Him. The path of righteousness is one of integrity, holiness, and leads us to everlasting life with Him. So many people are misunderstand. They say "Well, I believe in Jesus." And guess what, so does the enemy and his minions. Jesus is coming back after a Bride who has made themselves holy and ready for the Bridegroom, Jesus. Are we perfect or going to be perfect? Absolutely not. In order to be righteous, one must repent from sins, and never go back to that way of life.

Allow Jesus to take you on a journey down the path of righteousness. Build a relationship with Him. That is what He is longing for!

Verse 4: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." This is God's guidance in the deepest time of hurt or distress. God is with us. This is a covenant promise.

Hebrews 13:5:"I will never leave you nor forsake you." God's word is true from the beginning to the end. He is omnipresent. He is with us in good times and bad times. He knows every hair on your head.

We find comfort in His presence.

Verse 5 "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." In preparing for this message, one of the commentaries said this means "a mark of favor in public and unmistakable." That ought to make someone shout a Hallelujah!!! Favor from the Lord in public. If you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, pray and seek His face He will do great and mighty things for you. His presence, peace and provision show whose side He is on. He is on the side of the righteousness. Sometimes, the war is already won in the Spiritual realm, but has not manifested on Earth. He will anoint your head with oil, and blessings upon blessings will overflow. Just keep your confidence in the Lord.

Verse 6: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." He will dwell with us here on Earth, all our days when we stay focused on our King. However, when Jesus came to Earth, died on the cross, resurrected on the third day, that gave us a Heavenly Home, to spend with Jesus forever.

May God provide a comfort to you in this Psalm, whether your world is already peaceful or you are going through a storm.

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior and would like to, send an email to everlastingjoymin@gmail.com.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 23:title–6.

Tremper Longman III, Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. David G. Firth, vol. 15–16, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2014), 133.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 4:19.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Is 32:18.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 3:6.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 13:5.