Psalm 23 — The Good Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

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 guideth 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 hast anointed 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.

If the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want or lack any thing. I'll have all that I need - I'll have all the good that I could ever want. I will be led by one who knows & understands.

To be led by the Good Shepherd is better than to follow the lead of any deceiving or selfish shepherd found here below. They do not restore our souls, nor do they lead us to safe pastures of rest. All too often they lead us to serve themselves; they have no heart for sheep.

To be led by the Good Shepherd is better than to follow after our own foolish and inexperienced hearts. We inevitably take a false step and leave restful pastures. Nor do we know how to safely navigate the dangerous valleys we must cross. We end up hungry, exhausted and at cross paths. The education of experience comes too late to help us: we're too far down the pit to climb out by ourselves.

The Good Shepherd is who we need from day one. Yet, if we step out on our own and find ourselves in a pit, will he not help us out when we turn to him? If we're far off with a false shepherd, will he not defend and deliver us when we cry to him?

The Lord is our shepherd. When we follow him, we shall not want.