This page will always be as the title suggests.  This section will be where I will publish thoughts and testimony, to share from the Bible and encourage.

This month I am returning to my 'Pondering on the Psalms' series.  Many years ago, I listened to a minister talk about Psalm 23 a very familiar Psalm.  He explained how it related to the work of a shepherd looking after his sheep to how God looks after us.  I have always remembered some of what was said, and have been looking forward to looking at this again in detail.  

MY shepherd ( v 1 )

There are many who belong to God and yet we can all claim Him as our personal shepherd. David felt that he needed a shepherd.

The heart of this psalm doesn’t connect with the self-sufficient. But those who acutely sense their need — the poor in spirit Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3) — find great comfort in the idea that God can be a shepherd to them in a personal sense.

“I have what I need” or “I shall not want”.  ( v 1 )

The shepherd provides all that the sheep needs.  All our needs are supplied by the Lord - our shepherd.

“He lets me lie down in green pastures”. ( v 2 )

Lie down - in a place of rest.  A sheep will not lie down if:-

• they are afraid, as they are timid animals
• If there is any friction among the sheep as they are social animals
• If troubled by fleas and parasites
• If anxious about food or hungry

They rest when the shepherd has dealt with fear, friction, flies and famine.

“He restores my soul” (renews my life) ( v 3 )

This reflects the core of the shepherd in the previous verses providing green pastures and still waters.  In Hebrew ‘restores my soul’, means, ‘bring me to repentance’ (conversion).  So, it is the expression of our salvation.  This is being  restored back into a place of fellowship with God where we were always meant to be.

“He leads me”.  ( v 3 )

The shepherd is a guide.  Sheep don’t necessarily know where the green pastures and still waters are, so the shepherd guides them.

“In paths of righteousness”  ( v 3 )

Some versions say 'right paths'. Not only does God our Shepherd guide us, but He guides us in paths of righteousness.  This is being led by God’s word and His commands and statues.  

God is Holy so we cannot carry on as we have been doing.

“For His name's sake”. ( v 3 )

God is perfect, Holy and righteous.  We could not walk in fellowship with Him if we stayed as we are.  Accepting Christ does not mean we are perfect overnight.  It does mean we have made a commitment to now follow His word, by ‘working out our salvation’.  We can rely on God’s help.  Being back in fellowship with God, His nature means we need to change.  We cannot do this by ourselves, but we can with God’s help.

“Yet, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”. ( v 4 )

This is representative of a difficult situation, feeling overwhelmed or hedged in by circumstances.  Shadow of Death - can refer to how defeated we may feel by a situation and yet as defeated as we may feel, it does not lead to death but a difficult season that we go through.  Even in such times having a conscious presence of the Lord, will/can make it bearable.  Even death itself in substance has been removed by what Jesus did on the Cross. 

Valley - can present a particular situation through which we know the presence of Christ and draw strength and develop our character.  It is also that ultimate valley but one we just pass through to eternity in His presence.

David recognized that under the shepherd’s leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. It isn’t his destination or dwelling place.  We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place.

“I fear no evil”. ( v 4 )

This reinforces the previous idea that whatever our situation, the Lord is with us.  We need not fear or doubt.  Having said this, our human nature means we often do.  So, the answer, exercise our muscle of faith.  Scripture tells us even Jesus learnt by the things that he suffered in Hebrews 5 v 8.  In the Lord, difficult times are an opportunity to learn more about His character, i.e. faithfulness and to build our trust in a shepherd who is always with us.

“Your rod and staff comfort me”. ( v 4 )

A shepherd will use the blunt end to jab the sheep in the ribs and nudge back in the direction of the flock.  Being stuck out on our own is not a good place to be.  The shepherd also uses it to help keep count of the sheep.  For the shepherd also it is a sturdy walking stick.

Rod - is a symbol of the Lord’s strength and protection.

It is also used as a weapon to fight off animals who might try and attack the sheep.

If a sheep became trapped in a precarious position, the shepherd would loop the curved end around the neck of the sheep to bring it back to safety. 

The rod/staff is a unique instrument only used in the care and management of sheep.

Our Lord is ready to guide us, protect us and keep us close. His word is our instruction, our encouragement, our guide, the staff to keep us on the right path.

When I was reading some notes about this, there seems to be a lot of debate as to whether David is talking about one or two instruments.  The Hebrew word for Rod (Shaybet), here means ‘a stick’ with a variety of uses/applications.  The Hebrew word for staff (mishaynow) speaks of ‘a support’ in the sense of a walking stick.  Whether one or two, the implication is there of our Lord’s guidance and protection.  A Lord/shepherd who keeps us close, guides us and protects us.  Will prod us, use scripture to guide and correct.  All this so we can stay in His way and His presence.

“You prepare a table before me in the Presence of my enemies”( v 5  )

Referring back to the experience of the valley, David still knew the presence and provision of the Lord.  Despite being surrounded by his enemies,, whatever our situation may be, we can be at peace confidently knowing the Lord watches over us.

The picture David presents:-

• Table - beauty
• Prepare - foresight and care
• Before me - a personal connection

Being in the Lord does not stop us having ‘trouble in this world’, but it does enable us to know His goodness and provision even in the middle of it all.

Spurgeon wrote - “Nothing hurried, there is no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace”

And “anoints my head”. ( v 5 )

In mountainous regions a ‘table’ describes a flat section of land within the slopes.  Before entering a new ‘table’, a shepherd inspects the ground for holes, potential hiding places for poisonous brown snakes.  Then he prepares the ’table’ by pouring thick oil in each hole.  This makes it more difficult for a snake to get out.  Next, the shepherd ‘anoints’ the sheep’s nose and mouth with the same oil, making the surface too slippery to bite.

In the midst of our difficulties, God our shepherd inspects the ‘tables’ before us.  We carry the Holy Spirit with us, we are anointed with His presence.  We walk in His covering and protection and even if the occasional snake gets through, we are/can be protected from the poison.

Difficult times are just that - difficult!  They can be hard and they can affect us.  My experience is that God is not asking me to pretend it has had no effect, but to keep myself in Him and keep looking to Him.  In the end, these times can actually strengthen us and develop us and increase our trust in God.  It can not often feel that way in the middle of things.  When I read this, I was also reminded that God is all-knowing, so nothing that happens is a surprise to Him.  It can rock and shake us, but that is when we lean on God as our shepherd.

Among the many instances in scripture, the account of Daniel and his friends came to mind.  When they chose not to accept the king’s choice food, there were no ill effects.  In fact, they actually looked healthier than those who did eat the choicest food. 

This stand, however, resulted in them being thrown into the fiery furnace.  When they came out, they were not burned, their hair was unsigned and their clothes did not smell of smoke.  It is good to note with this  account, that the furnace was heated up to three times its normal heat and those who approached to see it was ready were destroyed.

My cup overflows. ( v 5 )

The shepherd has led the sheep.  The shepherd has provided green pastures and still waters.  The shepherd has prepared a safe place.  The sheep has all it needs.  God can and will provide all our needs, both materially and spiritually.  He does not necessarily provide all our ‘wants’ or ‘life would be perfect if’s’.  God’s provision is not just for our temporary time here, but our assurance for eternity with Him.  Accepting what Christ did and asking Him into our lives, guarantees our life with Him now and eternity, never to be separated again.   The joy and assurance of this, can overflow to those around us.

Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life.  ( v 6 )

We are pursued by God.  God is good and God is faithful.  In Hebrews 13 v 5, we are promised He will never leave us or forsake us.  

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live" ( v 6 )

Eternal life in God’s presence is our promise and assurance.  This is a great declaration by David at the close of this Psalm.  Not only does God’s goodness and faithful love pursue him all the days of his life, but forever.  We can be assured of this too. God watching over us, being our shepherd all our natural days and into eternity.

I just wanted to share a couple of closing thoughts.  

It was the presence of the shepherd which made the difference for the sheep. The shepherd was able to guide, protect and provide for the sheep.

It also made me think about the importance of David talking about his Lord as the Good Shepherd.  In the gospel of John and chapter 10 v 1-18, but particularly v 11-12 Jesus Himself talks about being the Good Shepherd which is different to a hireling or hired hand.  A hired hand who is there to earn a wage and does not own the sheep, runs away when he sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep.  Jesus, the Good Shepherd owns the sheep.  Jesus laid down His life for the sheep, for us.

What Jesus described as a good shepherd is actually a very remarkable shepherd. Shepherds may take risks for the safety of the sheep, but it is probably rare to find one who would willingly die for their sheep.  Jesus is not just a shepherd He is our Good Shepherd.

The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep: The bad shepherd (a hireling) will not defend the sheep and thinks the flock exists for his benefit, but the good shepherd lives and dies for the good of the sheep.

The good shepherd sacrifices for the sheep (gives His life).

The good shepherd knows his sheep (I know My sheep). We think of sheep as being all the same. The shepherd knows they are individuals with their own personalities and characteristics.

The good shepherd is known by the sheep (and am known by My own).