A Fresh Look at Psalm 23 and Jesus As Our Good Shepherd

Most of us know Psalm 23 quite well – it’s that great Psalm of comfort and hope amidst any circumstance.

In the uncertain and rather crazy circumstances we are currently in, we need to be reminded that Jesus is our Good Shepherd and He is actively shepherding our lives. In short, He is giving provision, protection, and direction to us just as a shepherd does with his sheep.

In this Deeper Christian episode, Nathan Johnson gives a big picture understanding of Psalm 23 and discusses 4 amazing revelations found in the passage:

1. God’s intimacy is revealed
2. God’s continuing salvific work is revealed
3. God’s character is revealed
4. God’s purpose is revealed 

If you are looking for encouragement and hope in these troubled times, this episode will point you back to our Good Shepherd Jesus Christ.

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Show Notes / Additional Resources

• Looking for other resources focused on Jesus as the Good Shepherd:
  • Episode 8: Is Jesus the Shepherd Guide of My Life? (with Stephen Manley)
  • Episode 119: Resting in Green Pastures – a look at Psalm 23
  • Episode 147: 3 Things God Wants to Provide For You 

Psalm 23: A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 Structure:
   V1 – Premise
   V2-3 – Provision
   V3-5 – Protection
   V6 – Purpose

The Lord is my Shepherd
Interestingly the word “shepherd” is a verb (specifically a participle), not a noun, and thus should be translated “is shepherding me.” And “the Lord” being the Name YHWH (Yahweh/Jehovah) gives the sense of a state of being or activity. So this opening line of Psalm 23 could be translated: “The Lord is actively shepherding me.”

He lead me besides still waters / He leads me in paths of righteousness
The word “lead” here literally means “to lead gently.” Though you can drive cattle, you cannot do so with sheep. Sheep must be led not driven.

4 Revelations in Psalm 23 

1. God’s intimacy is revealed. This is personal and intimate. The Lord is MY shepherd.
2. God’s continuing salvific work is revealed. David is using imagery from the Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings to describe God’s current work of salvation.
   • I do not lack (see Deuteronomy 2:7b; Psalm 24:10)
   • He restores my soul/life (see Psalms 30:3; 116:7; 80:3, 7; 44:25; Lamentations 1:11, 16-19)
   • He leads me in the paths of righteousness (see Exodus 15:13 and Psalms 5:8; 27:11; 77:20)
   • You prepare a table before me (see Psalms 22:22-26; 78:19-20; 116:13)
3. God’s character is revealed. Warren Wiersbe pointed out that each of the lines of this psalm declares a name, and therefore the character, of God:
   • “I shall not want”—Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide” (Gen. 22:14)
     
   • “still waters”- Jehovah-Shalom, “the Lord our peace” (Judg. 6:24)
     
   • “restores my soul”—Jehovah-Rapha, “the Lord who heals” (Ex. 15:26)
     
   • “paths of righteousness”—Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “the Lord our righteousness” (Jer. 33:16)
   • “you are with me”—Jehovah-Shammah, “the Lord is there” (Ezek. 48:35)
     
   • “presence of my enemies”—“Jehovah-Nissi, “the Lord our banner” (Ex. 17:15)
   • “anoint my head”—Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, “the Lord who sanctifies” (Lev. 20:8)
4. God’s purpose is revealed. The entire purpose of the Psalm is a reminder that “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6).

“Under the old covenant, the sheep died for the shepherd, but under the new covenant, the Shepherd died for the sheep.” (Warren Wiersbe, from “Be Worshipful” in the “Be” Commentary Series, page 94-95)

 

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Question: How have you seen Jesus as the Good Shepherd during this season of your life?

Leave a response or ask a question and we will try to address it in a future episode.

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About NRJohnson & the Deeper Christian Podcast

NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.

The Deeper Christian Podcast is the podcast to help you study God’s Word, know Jesus intimately, and discover how you can build your life around Jesus Christ. This weekly audio program, hosted by NRJohnson, dives into Scripture and encourages Christians to keep their focus upon Jesus Christ—equipping believers in how to study the Bible and know God’s Word, grow in their spiritual lives, and change the world. Main discussion topics center around practical advice on Christian living, Bible study, prayer, the Gospel, freedom from sin, evangelism and how to share your faith, the Christian disciplines, and the lives and messages from the Christian heroes from yesteryear such as A.W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, Major Ian Thomas, Oswald Chambers, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Corrie Ten Boom, C.T. Studd, George Müller, Andrew Murray, Leonard Ravenhill, E.M. Bounds, and others. Learn more about the deeper Christian life.