Episode notes
God is my shepherd
When you play "If you could be any animal, what would you be?" have you ever heard anyone say a sheep? No. Because sheep are panicky. Defenseless. In need of a shepherd to tell them where to go. As good as dead without that shepherd
David knew that. But still he stated "The
Lord is my shepherd" (v. 1).
In following God as his Shepherd, David found blessings like these: wanting for noth-ing, the luxury of lying down, green pastures, still waters, and a restored soul. This life makes us want to be sheep!
God as our Shepherd doesn't leave the sheep to fend for themselves when the going gets tough: He walks with us through the darkest valley-what is darker than death?-and His discipline comforts us.
But then Psalm 23 takes a turn: God is no longer pictured as a shepherd but a king, providing us a luxurious table for all our enemies to see, anointing us as His own.
STUDY THE BOOK
Psalm 23:1-6
"My cup runs over" (v. 5). When God is our Shepherd and our King, He meets our needs so completely that we overflow with goodness and righteousness. Through all this contentment God follows us with goodness and mercy.
When you follow the Shepherd, you are
followed by blessings.
And that's something to sing about!
MORE INSIGHT
Jesus Christ identified Himself as our Shepherd. This is one of many indications that Jesus is God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (John 10:10-14).
previous: Psalm 22:1-31
next: Psalm 32:1-11