Psalm 23 - The Good Shepherd

This well-known passage is recited often at funerals and other church services and is a source of comfort.

A psalm of David. Copied from biblegateway.com.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of the shadow of death

Years ago, I was introduced to a book on this psalm, and I highly recommend it. It is titled, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23," written by W. Phillip Keller.

The author explains the role and significance of the shepherd and how he takes care of his sheep. In the Bible, this illustration compares the Lord, Our God, as The Good Shepherd and people as His sheep.

Imagine a field of sheep, wandering about, grazing, falling over, maybe appearing confused at times! But when the sheep hear the voice of their Shepherd, they know where to go, what to do, and at times they are rescued from danger or peril. 

Reread Psalm 23, imagining yourself at the mercy and care of the Good Shepherd.

Jesus was quoted as saying in John 10:7-11,

Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers,but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.

They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Christ the Good Shepherd
by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

This is probably one of my favorite paintings of all time. It is a beautiful image of Christ as the Good Shepherd, painted by the Spanish artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo in the 17th century.