INTRODUCTION
THE PSALM
The 23rd Psalm. We read it in our times of loss. We quote
it for comfort in difficult times. We inscribe it on plaques
to hang on the walls of our homes. As author Max Lucado
states:
"Do more beloved words exist? Framed and hung
in hospital rooms, scratched on prison walls,
quoted by the young, and whispered by the dying.
In these lines, sailors have found a harbor, the
frightened have found a father, and strugglers have
found a friend." Max Lucado
But could it be that the amazing spiritual legacy contained
in this psalm is sometimes overlooked because of our
familiarity with it? Do we really understand that in this
Psalm alone, we have all we need to live successfully in
this world and to be prepared for the one to come?
The purpose of this study is to take an in-depth look at one
of the most beloved portions of scripture of all times--the
23rd Psalm--to mine spiritual riches from every phrase and
word, seeking for understanding as one would search for
hidden treasure:
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
9
, If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and
understanding. (Proverbs 2:1-6, NKJV)
Psalm 23 is part of a sequence of psalms that explores the
symbolism of the Lord as the Shepherd of His people.
Psalms chapters 22-24 are often referred to as the
“shepherd psalms”.
-In Psalm 22, God is portrayed as the Good
Shepherd. The chapter is a prophecy
foretelling the death of the Lord Jesus Christ for the
sins of mankind.
-In Psalm 23, the subject of this study, He is
portrayed as the Great Shepherd who seeks lost
sheep and brings them into His flock.
-In Psalm 24, the Lord is the Chief Shepherd who is
portrayed as coming in power and glory as King of
Kings.
Most Bible scholars conclude that Psalm 23 was written by
David when he was a young man serving his father, Jesse,
as a shepherd. In these six verses, David shares a spiritual
analogy of the Lord as a Shepherd and His people as sheep,
drawing from the extensive knowledge and experience
which he gained as a shepherd. As a good shepherd, David
knew his sheep by name, his sheep knew his voice, and
they followed him. David knew that a good shepherd never
leaves his sheep alone and that he searches for lost sheep to
restore them to the flock. The shepherd provides for their
10
,needs and protects them from predators (1 Samuel 17:34-
35).
Jacob was actually the first person in the Bible to use the
shepherd metaphor for God (Genesis 48:15). From that
time on, the Holy Spirit repeatedly uses the image of a
shepherd as exemplified by this prophetic word about the
coming Messiah:
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall
gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in
his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with
young. (Isaiah 40:11, KJV)
Jesus identified Himself as that Shepherd (John 10:11-16).
He is also called the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) and
the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). We need a shepherd
because we easily become lost. Like sheep in the natural
world, we have a herd instinct to follow the crowd. Isaiah
says that we all, like sheep, have gone astray and turned to
our own sinful ways (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus warned:
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and
broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there
are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the
gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and
there are few who find it.
(Matthew 7:13-14, NKJV)
Wide is the gate for the untamed herds of this world.
Narrow is the pathway traveled by the Shepherd and His
sheep. There is only one Shepherd and one door to His
fold (John 10:1-2). This is why we must follow in the
footsteps of the Shepherd and His flock (Song of Solomon
1:7).
11
, You are about to begin an awesome spiritual journey doing
just that! If you do not know the Lord as your Shepherd,
you will be given the opportunity to become part of His
fold. In fact--He is already seeking for you right now:
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep,
and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the
ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one
that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly,
I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than
over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so
it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven
that one of these little ones should perish.
(Matthew 18:12-14, NKJV)
If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior, the
Good Shepherd wants you to join His flock. If you already
know the Lord as your Shepherd, then this study explains
the rich spiritual legacy provided for you as recorded in
Psalm 23. The goal of this study is not information, but
revelation. Its purpose is to enable you to come to know
the Good Shepherd and become intimately acquainted with
Him.
It is time to begin our spiritual trek. The Shepherd has
provided everything you need for the journey. You need
no map or directions, for He will lead the way. So let's
begin.
12
THE PSALM
The 23rd Psalm. We read it in our times of loss. We quote
it for comfort in difficult times. We inscribe it on plaques
to hang on the walls of our homes. As author Max Lucado
states:
"Do more beloved words exist? Framed and hung
in hospital rooms, scratched on prison walls,
quoted by the young, and whispered by the dying.
In these lines, sailors have found a harbor, the
frightened have found a father, and strugglers have
found a friend." Max Lucado
But could it be that the amazing spiritual legacy contained
in this psalm is sometimes overlooked because of our
familiarity with it? Do we really understand that in this
Psalm alone, we have all we need to live successfully in
this world and to be prepared for the one to come?
The purpose of this study is to take an in-depth look at one
of the most beloved portions of scripture of all times--the
23rd Psalm--to mine spiritual riches from every phrase and
word, seeking for understanding as one would search for
hidden treasure:
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
9
, If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and
understanding. (Proverbs 2:1-6, NKJV)
Psalm 23 is part of a sequence of psalms that explores the
symbolism of the Lord as the Shepherd of His people.
Psalms chapters 22-24 are often referred to as the
“shepherd psalms”.
-In Psalm 22, God is portrayed as the Good
Shepherd. The chapter is a prophecy
foretelling the death of the Lord Jesus Christ for the
sins of mankind.
-In Psalm 23, the subject of this study, He is
portrayed as the Great Shepherd who seeks lost
sheep and brings them into His flock.
-In Psalm 24, the Lord is the Chief Shepherd who is
portrayed as coming in power and glory as King of
Kings.
Most Bible scholars conclude that Psalm 23 was written by
David when he was a young man serving his father, Jesse,
as a shepherd. In these six verses, David shares a spiritual
analogy of the Lord as a Shepherd and His people as sheep,
drawing from the extensive knowledge and experience
which he gained as a shepherd. As a good shepherd, David
knew his sheep by name, his sheep knew his voice, and
they followed him. David knew that a good shepherd never
leaves his sheep alone and that he searches for lost sheep to
restore them to the flock. The shepherd provides for their
10
,needs and protects them from predators (1 Samuel 17:34-
35).
Jacob was actually the first person in the Bible to use the
shepherd metaphor for God (Genesis 48:15). From that
time on, the Holy Spirit repeatedly uses the image of a
shepherd as exemplified by this prophetic word about the
coming Messiah:
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall
gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in
his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with
young. (Isaiah 40:11, KJV)
Jesus identified Himself as that Shepherd (John 10:11-16).
He is also called the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) and
the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). We need a shepherd
because we easily become lost. Like sheep in the natural
world, we have a herd instinct to follow the crowd. Isaiah
says that we all, like sheep, have gone astray and turned to
our own sinful ways (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus warned:
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and
broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there
are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the
gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and
there are few who find it.
(Matthew 7:13-14, NKJV)
Wide is the gate for the untamed herds of this world.
Narrow is the pathway traveled by the Shepherd and His
sheep. There is only one Shepherd and one door to His
fold (John 10:1-2). This is why we must follow in the
footsteps of the Shepherd and His flock (Song of Solomon
1:7).
11
, You are about to begin an awesome spiritual journey doing
just that! If you do not know the Lord as your Shepherd,
you will be given the opportunity to become part of His
fold. In fact--He is already seeking for you right now:
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep,
and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the
ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one
that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly,
I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than
over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so
it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven
that one of these little ones should perish.
(Matthew 18:12-14, NKJV)
If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior, the
Good Shepherd wants you to join His flock. If you already
know the Lord as your Shepherd, then this study explains
the rich spiritual legacy provided for you as recorded in
Psalm 23. The goal of this study is not information, but
revelation. Its purpose is to enable you to come to know
the Good Shepherd and become intimately acquainted with
Him.
It is time to begin our spiritual trek. The Shepherd has
provided everything you need for the journey. You need
no map or directions, for He will lead the way. So let's
begin.
12
