Psalm 23 could be called the best known Psalm due to its universal theme of trusting in God. It is written on plaques for decoration, sung in songs, read aloud liturgically, and even prayed. Its authorship is credited to King David- a man after God’s own heart.

I have read this Psalm for years and have found that the depth of each verse stands out collectively but also individually. To me, that is one trait to make this project an appealing challenge: to study each verse one at a time.

It has been on my heart to do this for a long time, so I will be curious to see where the Lord takes us as He reveals His message through our efforts in mediative reflection.

Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

NIV

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The Amplified translation writes it this way:

The Lord is my Shepherd {to feed me, to guide and to shield me}, I shall not want.

I think to best analyze this verse, I need to understand what a shepherd is. Obviously, he is one who guards sheep…but, also, is one who guides or directs in a particular direction.

Biblically, especially Old Testement biblically, a shepherd’s role was to protect the flock while guiding them to pastures with plenty of food and slow-moving water to drink from easily. If the grass was of poor quality, the sheep would become malnourished and if the water was moving too quickly, the sheep would be fearful to drink from it.

Guiding the sheep to good pastures kept the flock healthy.

For the shepherd, providing nourishment was more than eating and drinking: it was eating and drinking what would be sustaining and edifying.

We sure can get lost in the shuffle of the day to day, can’t we? It can be too easy to get lost in the status quo and not be intentional in putting more purpose in our activities throughout our days. Being busy doesn’t make it any easier, does it?

I am a pretty busy person…For starters my work days, although I’m considered to be “part-time”, consist of random “stop times” depending on our staffing numbers at the hospital and the acuity of the patients we are caring for that day. This means I could end my work day earlier than planned (giving me extra time to accomplish things) or later than anticipated.

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My husband works very hard for a living as well. His job has him traveling out of state a few times a month with very little notice. Sometimes, his travel is just for one day and other times it is for almost a whole work week. Although the blessings of his traveling are apparent, it adds to the busyness of our weekly plans.

My son’s have their own things going on that require scheduling…thankfully, my oldest -although Navy bound- is home to assist me with chauffeuring the youngest son to wherever he needs to be. I am beyond grateful to have his help and that we have a vehicle for them to share when that time is needed!!

Let’s face it~ getting kids from Point A to Point B is a full-time job!!! Most parents do work for a living so getting kids to practice at all hours of the work day is difficult!!!

I also am in school again myself to finish my Ministry Preparation Program. In addition to homework, I have monthly meetings for monitoring my ministerial progress, I host Bible studies, and have friends I like to spend time with.

Did I mention that I must feed my family and buy groceries in order to do so??

I have teenage sons. Enough said.

Protecting my sheep (my son’s) and providing for them is a full-time job – and I already listed what else I am doing with my days so you are aware of the time constraints I am under.

I could easily feed them; but I more desire to nourish them.

Do you see the difference there?

Some days it is truly all I can do to put a frozen pizza in the oven or bring home take-out. They are also pretty savvy in making their own food from whatever is in the house (if I took the time to stock it). But, most days, I want to make sure that what they are eating will keep them healthy…a fairly well-balanced, mostly fresh made meal -with plenty of leftovers to get them through their evening snack hours!

I want them nourished from good pastures.

As for their calm waters to drink from? Let’s just say if I make it easy for them to stay nourished then they will do so…if I don’t have my kitchen stocked with what they can make for themselves, then I leave them to alternate options that will not meet their physical needs or minimal cooking abilities.

Does that make sense?

As a shepherd of my sheep, I need to take care of them in the best way I can to meet their needs- not my own. Frankly, I can come home from work and eat a bowl of cereal and be content. However, my weight-lifting, body building, football playing, growing 15 year old needs more than that.

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It is my job to provide it.

With that perspective and understanding of a shepherd as a provider in mind…let’s talk a little about the shepherd as the protector.

In biblical times, the sheep in a pasture were susceptible to attacks by predators. Remember when David went to fight Goliath?? He said he had been prepped for battle because he had fought against both a lion and a bear.

In order to protect, a shepherd must be alert to the possibility of an attack as well as aware of what would be necessary to fight.

Being ALERT and PREPARED are key factors.

Denying that trouble could be around the bend is a dangerous thing…we must not be naive to our surroundings.

Refusing to plan in advance for ways that we can be prepared against danger is also foolish. We must stay educated and diligent on how best manage or navigate certain circumstances.

David knew how to use a slingshot…I doubt using it to kill Goliath was his first attempt. I also doubt he first used it when killing a bear. I imagine he practiced using it while leading his sheep or watching over them as they ate.

David was also aware of his surroundings. This expectancy and alertness kept him in tune with the environment he was in.

As the protector, David could not prevent danger from coming to his flock, but he could certainly be prepared when it did come his way.

Can you think of the last time you felt safe? What was happening around you that aided you in feeling secure?

Was it the roof over your head in a storm?

Your spouse’s presence in the house?

The balance in your checkbook that covered your bills?

The medication you take that fights illness?

None of those things keeps danger from coming your way, but they do -in one way or another- keep you out of harm’s way.

Can you see how having a shepherd gives you all you need?

When it really comes down to it…if you are nourished and feel safe what more could you want?

If I am wearing a comfortable pair of shoes, could I desire to own a new pair? Yes. But could I recognize that I don’t need a new pair since my feet do not hurt? Yes.

Do you desire MORE? I am sure most of us do. Do we think having MORE will help us to be MORE content, MORE safe, MORE nourished? Probably.

But if I am full what more do I need? If I am full does it matter if my sustanence came from oatmeal or steak? My need had been met after all.

A good shepherd knows what I NEED and provides it: protection and nourishment and guidance.

Does he guide me where I think I should go? Not necessarily.

He guides me where he knows is best for me…where I am safest and better nourished.

THAT is what the Lord provides as our Shepherd…the One who guides and shields and feeds us.

With God in that role we truly have all we want.

Our role- as His sheep that He tenderly protects and provides for while guiding- is to trust in Him.

Can you do that?

It’s one step at time friends…one step of faith at a time.

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