The 23rd Psalm

Psalm 23 is the most popular, uplifting, and

comforting Biblical passage. It is one of the

most well-known and appreciated Psalms.

It is possibly the most famous Psalm of optimism.

Because it goes beyond simply acknowledging

God's protection, guidance, and blessing.

In Psalm 23, David expresses gratitude to God

for watching over and protecting him.

The 23rd Psalm of David, recorded in the

Old Testament of the Bible, is one of the

most soothing prayers for the soul's sorrow.

It can help reframe, refresh, and restore our

confidence and turn negative ideas, feelings,

and situations around when repeated frequently.

We shall never go through anything in life that

does not provide consolation, refreshment,

guidance, and protection to the root feeling...

than the simple beauty found...

in the 23rd Psalm.

Shepherds had to live with their flocks of sheep,

guiding them across hills and valleys looking

for new vegetation and water sources to feed

and hydrate them.

It captures a Shepherd caring for fragile,

defenseless sheep in a beautiful sense.

Israel was completely covered in sheep herds.

There were few options for them to eat locally.

As a result, flocks congregated near feeding

sites and watering holes.

The sheep needed to identify their shepherd's

voice in order to follow him when he called.

Shepherds trained sheep to

respond solely to their voice.

In Psalm 23, God is described as a Good Shepherd

Who cares for and guides His flock. It is well

known that the Shepherd is to know each sheep by

name; hence, when God is compared to a Shepherd,

He is both a Protector and a Caretaker.

God promised to protect the Israelites as they

entered the Promised Land from the nations

that would thwart them.

"I will send My wrath ahead of you, and

all your adversaries will flee from you."

23:27 Exodus

God is defending those whose actions were

in agreement with His predestined intentions and

purposes.

David's Psalms are filled with praise and

thankfulness to God for protecting His chosen

one from his adversaries.

Psalm 18:3, 54:7, 138:7

No matter how much power or fury David's

foes unleashed against him, they were no

match for God's protection.

Job's life also demonstrated God's protection.

Despite the fact that Satan's attacks caused

Job much suffering, it was God who

established the line that Satan could not pass.

Satan was only permitted to carry out the tasks

that God assigned to him.

Job 1-3

Despite all of Job's hardships and pains,

God was protecting him from greater harm.

We will never be in want as long as God

is our Shepherd and Protector.

"Want" is synonymous with "Lack."

A shepherd's responsibilities included leading

the sheep to rich green pastures where they may

graze, protecting the flock by keeping an eye

out for predators, and ensuring that no sheep

gets lost or confused.

Shepherd is another term for... "Protector."

He permits me to lie down

and rest in green pastures:

In this sense, the green pastures are tender grass

meadows where we can rest under the

Shepherd's careful eye (God).

He leads me beside the

peaceful waters,

Still waters are waters that run softly

and slowly, and they provide great calm

and repose to the spirit.

When we yield to God's Will and His Way,

we may be confident that He will guide us

along the pathway that is best for us. He will

also lead us along the finest road, one that

aligns with His... for the sake of His honor and

His glory.

Even when walking through the dark valley

of death we will not be afraid, for God is

with us, guarding, and guiding us all the way.

A valley is a place surrounded by hills or

mountains, which often cast shadows

below. The majestic mountains are a

metaphor for death. It's a dangerous

place where many unpleasant things or

"evils" occur.

We walk by faith with God

through all of life's ups and

downs.

We shall be led in the right

direction by the Shepherd.

We cannot withstand or protect ourselves on

our own in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

But because of our faith in God, we can very

well endure all of life's ups and downs.

God's protection is certain and trustworthy

because He promises His people, "I will never

leave you nor forsake you."

God's rod and staff... they bring us solace.

In John 10:11, Jesus stated,

"I am the Good Shepherd."

The Good Shepherd sacrifices

His life for His flock.

We are the sheep of His pasture.

God will protect us, provide for us, give us food,

give us shelter, and gently correct us when we go

astray.

God knows how to create a feast

for His own.

Even when our foes are nearby, God may

make arrangements for us to be seated at a

lovely banquet table where we may feast, even in the

presence of devils from hell; but the enemy

will not be able to touch or harm us while we

are under God's Divine protection.

God is demonstrating to our adversaries how

He treats His anointed. God has graciously

accepted us as His guests. We can dine, relax,

and enjoy the buffet in peace.

Our heads have been anointed with oil by God.

"Anointment" is a sacred act of setting a person

apart and and making him holy. It is symbolized

by rubbing oil on the individual.

You rub oil on my head speaks to God's

work of restoring David's heart, especially

in light of the impending threat of enemies.

The words "You anoint my head with oil"

also reflected David's gladness in heart.

Other passages in the Bible associate oil with

gladness.

Isaiah 61:3; Hebrews 1:9

Shepherds often anointed sheep to keep

off dangerous bugs. God keeps us safe from

things that would harm us.

Our cups are overflowing

with blessings!

God not only supplies enough,

but He provides more than enough.

God supplies what we need, and God always

provides more... literally, pressed down,

shaken together, and overflowing.

When our cups are overflowing, we can be

as generous as our Father. We can use the

surplus He has given us... to bless others.

God's "Goodness and mercy”

are part of our inheritance.

Psalm 23:6

In times of suffering and grief,

the 23rd Psalm is frequently quoted.

The 23rd Psalm is commonly quoted in times

of sorrow and bereavement. This Psalm has

pushed many people who have experienced

personal catastrophes to have promise... for a

morning of pleasure.

The 23rd Psalm addresses

both life and to death.

Throughout their sorrowful nights,

many mourners found

consolation in...

the 23rd Psalm.

The 23rd Psalm has unparalleled insight,

beauty, strength, and comfort.

The 23rd Psalm encourages reflection on the

profound and unavoidable reality of our own

mortality while also assisting us in better

understanding and accepting the loss of our

loved ones.

The 23rd Psalm assures us that

with God as our Shepherd, we

have everything we need for life

and death.

God's protection is certain and trustworthy

because He guarantees His people, "I will never

leave you nor forsake you."

Be fearless and strong. Do not be afraid or

afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with

you.

He will not leave or forsake you."

No man shall be able to stand before you all

the days of your life, according to

Deuteronomy 31:6.

I will be with you just as I was with Moses. I will

not leave or forsake you.

"Be strong and courageous, and finish the work,"

says Joshua 1:5.

Do not be afraid or disheartened, because

the Lord, my God, is with you. He will not

abandon you or fail you.

1Chronicles 28:20;

“I will never leave you

nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

So even if the words of the 23rd Psalm do not ring

true for you... just repeating the words and thinking

about them, can help them to come alive for you.

God cares about all of our needs!

God provides all of our requirements

because He is our Shepherd.

We have everything we need!

With God as our Shepherd, we

shall be cared for, loved, and

our needs shall be met.

We, like the sheep, require a

Shepherd. Sheep are defenseless

creatures who stray off and

become lost.

The sheep are weak, naive, and completely

reliant on God. God performs the duty of Shepherd

by protecting the sheep. As a result, the sheep

"shall not want."

We will not go hungry...

THAT IS SUPPLY!

We, like the sheep, cannot exist without a

shepherd for long. We, too, rely entirely on

God to shepherd, protect, and care for us.

The Shepherd takes great care to keep

the sheep safe. That implies...

RELATIONSHIP!

We follow the Good Shepherd

when we recognize Him!

As the Lord is the Good Shepherd, we are His

sheep: not fearful or passive, but obedient

followers, wise enough to follow the One Who

will guide us to the right places and in the

right ways.

When we accept God to be our Shepherd, we

are content... because we are safe in His arms

and liberated of all concerns.

God's protection is...

unparalleled.

Let us put our faith in our Father

and hearken to His voice.

There is an abundance of blessings in God.

Everything we need is found in God...

and with God.