Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Psalms 2 (6)
Pray Psalm 23.4, 5.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Sing Psalm 23.4, 5.
(The Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
The LORD is ever by my side; His rod and staff with me abide.
A table rich for me He spreads; with oil my LORD anoints my head.
Read Psalm 23.1-6; meditate on verses 1 and 6.
Preparation
1. How did David refer to the Lord?
2. What did the Lord do for him?
Meditation
Psalm 23 is one of a handful of passages in the Old Testament that every believer recognizes as pointing to Jesus, our Good Shepherd (Jn. 10). David knew a thing or two about being a shepherd. He understood what his flocks needed—green, tender grass and fresh water to rest beside. He knew the right paths his sheep must walk to get where they could feed and rest. He protected them against all harm, using humble weapons to fend off ferocious attackers, giving comfort to his sheep.
In verse 5 the shepherding metaphor breaks off and is replaced by a feast of anointing, such as a king might know. David knew he was God’s chosen and anointed king, and he trusted that, despite his failings, God would bring him home to His eternal dwelling place.
Jesus embraced the shepherding image that is frequently applied to God in the Old Testament. He not only fulfills the imagery of Psalm 23.1-4, but He Himself is the Lamb of God, sacrificed for our sins. And He is even now preparing a banquet for all His sheep (Rev. 19), a foretaste of which we enjoy each time we take the Lord’s Supper. And He is preparing a place for us to which He will take us to live with Him forever.
Jesus is our Shepherd, having sent His Spirit to guide and fill us, defending us against all evil by the staff of His Word, and leading us along the righteous paths of God’s Law to feed on and rest in Him. He meets all our needs by His own riches in glory, and even when we are afflicted or tried, He is with us always, to comfort and encourage.
Truly, in Jesus Christ our cup overflows with goodness and mercy.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want” (Ps. 23.1).
Our God is The Good Shepherd.
What more could we want?
“The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing” (Ps. 34.10).
“‘I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains…There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains…I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick…’” (Ezek. 34.14-16).
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm,
and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” (Is. 40.11).
“I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (Jn. 10.11).
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4.19).
In view of all this tender, loving, care, by the Good Shepherd of our souls, our desire should be, in thankfulness, to make sure that “goodness and mercy [will] follow [us] all the days of [our lives]” (Ps. 23.6).
What does the LORD require of us?
“To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God” (Mic. 6.8).
“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man” (Prov. 3.3, 4).
“He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor” (Prov. 21.21).
“What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people” (Ps. 116.12-14).
“…he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice…” (Ps. 32.10, 11).
“Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard” (Is. 58.8).
“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ
among those who are being saved
and among those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 2.15).
Our Shepherd’s promise to us, His sheep:
“Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will see the land that is very far off…
Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet home, a tabernacle that will not be taken down…
There the majestic LORD will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams…
For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us…
The people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity” (Is. 33.17-24).
And our Shepherd’s goal for His flock:
That we would be strengthened for Kingdom work “through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3.16-19).
The LORD is my Shepherd—surely goodness and mercy will follow me.
Reflection
1. Why is “shepherd” a good way for us to think about Jesus?
2. How does the Lord’s Supper prepare us for life with Jesus there and then? How do we benefit from it here and now?
3. How does Jesus shepherd His flock through you?
Past experience teaches believers to trust that the goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their lives, and it is their desire and determination, to seek their happiness in the service of God here, and they hope to enjoy his love for ever in heaven. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Psalm 23.6
Pray Psalm 23.1-4, 6.
Give thanks to the Lord for His shepherding care. Call on Him to guide and guard throughout the coming day and keep you unto the day of His return.
Sing Psalm 23.1-4, 6.
(The Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
Because the LORD my Shepherd is I shall not want, for I am His!
He makes me lie in pastures green; He leads by waters cool, serene.
My soul He quickens and will bless; He leads in paths of righteousness.
Though I may walk in death’s dark vale, I shall not fear—He will not fail!
Goodness and mercy, full and free, shall ever after follow me,
and in the house of God, my LORD, shall I abide forevermore!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
For more teaching about the subject of this series, “Jesus throughout the Scriptures”, download our free ReVision study, “We Would See Jesus”, by clicking here.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
