The Lord’s My Shepherd (Psalm 23): Notes and Discussion

Below are links and doctrinal notes for the psalm The Lord’s My Shepherd by Joe Tyrpak. Feel free to chime in with comments or questions.

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LINKS FOR THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD (PSALM 23)

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DOCTRINAL NOTES

Because God delights in worship that is biblical, thoughtful and passionate—what we often call intentional—please consider the following overview of the biblical texts and doctrinal themes behind the psalm The Lord’s My Shepherd:

David wrote this song in a time of trial, probably the time when Absalom was tracking his steps in order to take his life and usurp his kingdom. This means that the calm delights of God’s shepherding grace are deeply enjoyed, not when all my enemies are gone, but when I’m walking through the darkest valley and when I’m standing in the very presence of my enemies. When real and very present trials threatened David’s life, he rejoiced in intimate, securing, totally satisfying relationship with the Lord.

Verse 1. David knew firsthand what shepherding meant. He was a shepherd that fed, led, and protected his sheep. Therefore, he had a powerful comparison for understanding God’s care for him. As David was a shepherd to his sheep, so the Lord was a shepherd to David. David’s response to God’s shepherding care was, “I lack nothing.” In other words, “In my time of trial, I have the Lord. He’s enough. I don’t need anything else.” God proved his shepherding care by consistently reviving weary David by consistently giving him the necessary sustenance and rest for both his body and, even more so, his soul.

Verse 2. The Lord evidences His shepherding care, not only in reviving us when we’re weak, but in guiding us when we’re so prone to waywardness. If, as tradition records, David wrote Psalm 23 during Absalom’s pursuit of him, then this took place after both his tragic fall (2 Samuel 11), and God’s gracious restoration of him through Nathan (2 Samuel 12). David knew very well what it meant to be “kept in the path of righteousness.” God does this, ultimately, because His name is at stake (cf. Isaiah 48:11).

Verse 3. In addition to his reviving and guiding ministries, our Shepherd also comforts us in the darkest experiences of life. “The valley of the shadow of death” refers to situations involving the most fearful darkness, certainly including death and near-death experiences. In these darkest moments, David knew that the Lord was present with him, carefully watching his every move. So many times David had experienced both God’s rod (to ward off David’s enemies) and staff (to keep David from going where He shouldn’t).

Verse 4. Though the themes of lavish provision and loving care remain, I believe that the image shifts from a shepherd to a gracious host who invites us to a lavish banquet. As we arrive for the banquet, we’re welcomed with anointing oil (for David, this oil is both an overgenerous welcoming gesture [Psalm 104:15], as well as a reminder of God’s electing grace [1 Samuel 16:11-13]). Then, while we eat the rich feast, the Lord acts as our attentive waiter, always ensuring that our glass is kept full. He blesses our lives so richly!

Verse 5. David is certain that God’s goodness will continue, not merely to follow him, but to pursue him throughout his life (see the word picture in 2 Samuel 2:19). David is certain that God’s goodness and love will pursue him until they finally overtake him. In his final thought, David revels in the delights that will most certainly be his when he eternally lives in the presence of his Shepherd. Ephesians 2:7 indicates that in eternity we will continue to experience an unending outpouring of God’s grace and kindness.

Verse 6. In John 10, Jesus made a claim to deity when He declared Himself to be “the Good Shepherd.” He declared that His goodness would be most evident on the cross. No shepherd was ever so good! No shepherd ever loved His sheep so deeply! Daniel Doriani expressed this so powerfully: “Here Jesus’ metaphor transcends lifelike comparisons. In truth, sheep exist only for the shepherd’s benefit—to be shorn or eaten. To protect his livelihood, a shepherd might risk his life for his sheep, as David did when he killed wild beasts. But shepherds never plan to die; just the opposite, for if they do, they gain nothing and the defenseless flock is destroyed anyway. But Jesus’ death was not the accidental result of facing brutes and losing. He chose to lay down his life for his sheep” (Putting the Truth to Work, 237).

Verse 7. As Jonathan Edwards taught, the glory of Jesus Christ consists in “the admirable conjuction of diverse excellencies.” Jesus is both “the chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4) as well as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). In heaven, “the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd” (Revelation 7:17). Jesus is “the great Shepherd of the sheep” whose blood—as the sacrificial Lamb—completely satisfied God’s wrath against sinners (Hebrews 13:20). We’re absolutely secure in Him, our mighty Shepherd and our nail-pierced Lamb. What glory!

(The notes for The Lord’s My Shepherd were written by Joe Tyrpak.)

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