PODCAST
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The Lord is my Shepherd
It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching griefs, of orphans in their loneliness. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter’s angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. It has made the dying Christian slave freer than his master, and consoled those whom, dying, he left behind mourning, not so much that he was gone, as because they were left behind, and could not go too.
Beecher, cited in Spurgeon
1{A Psalm of David.} The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23 KJV
The LORD:
- {THE LORD} is my shepherd
- {he} makes me lie down in green pastures
- {he} leads me beside quiet waters
- {he} restores my soul
- {he} guides me in the paths of righteousness…for His name’s sake
- {THOU} are with me
- {THY} rod and stuff comfort me
- {THOU} prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies
- {THOU} anoint my head with oil
I
- shall not want
I Walk through the valley of the shadow of death… I
- fear no evil
- my cup overflows
- goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life
- dwell in the house of the Lord forever
I was reading about sheep in Merk’s veterinary manual. I find this fascinating as we consider Psalm 23.
Sheep are a prey species, and their only defense is to flee. Sheep display an intensely gregarious social instinct that allows them to bond closely to other sheep and preferentially to related flock members
Merk
Shepherd Boy
In David’s time, when a family had sheep, the dirty, thankless job went to the youngest of the family. David was a shepherd boy. Have you ever heard that song by Ray Boltz? One of my husband’s favorites. I’ll link it here and share a few of its lyrics.
One by one Jesse’s sons
Stood before the prophet
Their father knew a king
Would soon be found
And each one passed
Except the last
No one thought to call him
Surely he would never
Wear a crown
Chorus:
Lyrics from Shepherd Boy
But when others see a shepherd boy
God may see a king
Even though your life seems filled
With ordinary things
In just a moment He can touch you
And everything will change
When others see a shepherd boy
God may see a king
1989 Shepherd Boy Musicascap and Sonworshippersascap
David
A quick jump to the time where David was writing Psalm 23, he’d learned a thing or two about life, and surely he had visited the valley of the shadow of death a time or two.
David didn’t seem to mind his role as a shepherd boy even as a boy, and even when he knew others were looking down at him. But God didn’t look on him with disdain because of the work he was assigned. In fact, it was all part of God’s plan for his life.
Here, in Psalm 23, David affectionately relates his role as a young boy -now a king-and watching over sheep to his God and His care over him. David’s life sure gave way to proclaiming God’s care through and through, wouldn’t you agree? He had highs and lows when we consider loving and following after God. He messed up, big. Can’t we all relate? I know I can! Yet through all we know of him, David loved God even bigger.
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Acts 13:22
Saul had been king for 40 years when God gave them King David. Remember, God KNEW David, there were no secrets, not now and not ever. So again: God CHOSE David for king.
Back to the Pasture
Thinking back to the pasture, David walks us along a shepherd’s life he knew well and introduces us to Jehovah Rohi, The Lord is My Shepherd.
Jehovah Rohi
Jehovah Rohi (ro hee), The Lord is my Shepherd.
Let us not forget about sheep. They’re defenseless. So when we find ourselves fighting (it’s not just me, is it?), or we feel empowered and strong enough to take the situation into our own vices, maybe we’re lions but we’re not sheep…therefore giving up the need for a loving shepherd.
He watches over me. He protects me. He takes care of my needs. He fights for me. He takes me to safety and gives me rest. He is with me.
And, He assures me I will always be with Him.
baaa
Lord, lead me and teach me to follow You, Jehovah Rohi, who has my every need taken care of for now and to eternity.
