Psalm 23

Not to Worry

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not be in want. (Psalm 23:1)

I heard a good sermon last night here in Milan, Italy, at the International Church of Milan, by Pastor Jim Albright, on this text. Rarely does a day go by that would not become brighter if we would just remember this…

The Confident Life

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

There seems to be two different types of response to Jesus, among those who hold Him in some esteem.

The Grateful Heart

You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.

Psalm 23:5

The nature of this psalm is thanksgiving erupting from a grateful heart. The Spirit has given the psalmist David the repose and perspective to compare his life to a sheep, and the Lord…

The Prepared Table

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

Psalm 23:5

Very often in life we feel as though we can find no escape from our enemies. We then must learn the discipline of experiencing God’s sustaining grace in the presence of…

Thy Rod and Thy Staff

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

The crooked-necked staff of the shepherd and the defending club or rod were emblems of the office. They reminded the sheep that the shepherd was there to rescue them and defend them…

Thou Art with Me

…Thou art with me…

Psalm 23:4

Up until this line, the psalm has described the Lord in third person terms — “He makes me lie down,” “He leads,” “He restores,” “He guides.” Only in the valley of the shadow of death does the Shepherd become “Thou” or…

I Will Fear No Evil

I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

Psalm 23:4

The presence of the Lord takes away our fear. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not…

The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…

Psalm 23:4

The canyons and valleys provide passage to the higher plains where the sheep need to feed in summer months. There also predators lurk, waiting for…

He Leads Me

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3

After the sheep had fattened up in the low meadow lands of southern Palestine in the early spring, the shepherds would lead their flock to the mountains. By then the days had become…

The Shepherd’s Heart

He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:2

Psalm 23 most probably provides for us a picture of the yearly trek a shepherd makes with his sheep. After the short winter they come…