Psalm 23

“The LORD is my shepherd…” (Psalm 23:1, NKJV)

When I write these devotionals, I usually read the text until something pops out at me. Then I’ll form a meditation around that text. But today I struggled in selecting a single idea. Psalm 23 is arguably David’s greatest psalm. It has been read at countless funerals because of the comfort it brings. Its six verses are a complete unit, and it seems wrong to attempt to divide it.

David understood the life of a shepherd. He knew the responsibility of caring for and protecting the flock. He had confronted enemy predators that sought to devour the sheep. He learned that he could not drive the flock too hard. Sheep need time to rest; they need to feel safe. David also knew that they were prone to wander into dangerous situations. Were it not for his constant vigilance, they would go astray, which could be fatal. The sheep needed to be led to the best pastures, because they were incapable of finding them themselves.

One day it dawned on David that the LORD was his shepherd. Maybe he was sitting on a rock worshiping God, making music with his harp, and he made the connection. Everything he did for his sheep the LORD did for him…but so much more! God was the perfect Shepherd in every way, and His goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life. After this life, David would dwell in the LORD’s house forever!

I memorized this psalm in the old King James Version at an early age. Each verse has ministered to me in different ways at different times of my life. I would encourage you to read this psalm slowly today several times. Which part ministers to you? Why? Take some time to thank God for that specific thing and for being such a good Shepherd always.