Psalm 23:1-6

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

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

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

3 He restores my soul; He leads 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 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 runs 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 Forever.

Context

• Why would David know about sheep & shepherding? (Genesis 49:24, Psalm 28:9, 80:1, Isaiah 40:11, 1 Samuel 17:15, 34-37)

Reflection

1. Why do the Lord’s sheep lack nothing? (Psalm 27:1, 103:5, Matthew 6:25-33, Philippians 4:19)
2. What’s significant about His ‘rest, feeding and leading’? (Exodus 33:14, Psalm 25:9, 29:11, 32:8, 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7)
3. How does the Shepherd restore my soul? (Psalm 37:4, 42:1, 63:1, 2, Isaiah 58:11, Matthew 11:28, John 7:37, 28)
4. How does the Shepherd care for His sheep in the face of fear, enemies and death? (Psalm 27:2, 3, 34:4-7, 90:1-3, 107:14, Isaiah 53:6, John 10:7-11)

Testimony Time

1. How is my following and feeding? (Psalm 34:8, Matthew 9:9, 16:24, John 1:43, 21:19, 6:35)
2. How excited am I about forever dwelling with Him? (Psalm 27:4, John 14:1-3, Hebrews 13:5)