Psalm 23
Having been a shepherd, David was very, very familiar with all the aspects of that occupation. For that reason he naturally likened his relationship with God to the sheep's relationship to their shepherd. It was a close, caring relationship that he knew very well, and it truly satisfied his heart to think of Jehovah as his Shepherd. He wanted all the people of his kingdom to share in that satisfaction, that happiness of relationship.
In the early morning, therefore, he went to the tabernacle to meet those who were gathered there to worship Jehovah. He went as their worship leader, their kantor, and when he led them in the first line of the morning psalm the words reflected his own relationship to his loving God. He sang,"The Lord is my shepherd." Every worshipper repeated the words, thereby establishing in their hearts that God was their Shepherd also.
And what a loving, caring Shepherd their God was! David got the people to sing about it when he had them repeat, "I shall not lack. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." So the people also all found themselves confessing that God does all these things for them as well! It's beautiful praise to a loving, caring God!
Then, having experienced dark and desperate times as well as good times in his walk with God, and knowing that such times are a part of the lives of every one of us, David leads all the people to confess their Shepherd's loving care in those times as well. He sings, "Yes, 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!"
David knows that his God is a loving Shepherd in ALL the situations of life, whether in the presence of deadly enemies or loving friends. He knows that he'll ALWAYS be safe in his Shepherd's care. It's no wonder that he sings about it! And the people, with a new and blessed realization of the goodness of their God, gladly sing it after him. They joyfully sing out the fact that their situation (their "cup") is also overflowing with the Shepherd's goodness ALL the time!
Then comes the final chorus, the final confession of God's lovingkindness. They sing, "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!"
Can we apply all of this to ourselves? We could begin by praying to at least see His loving, shepherding hand at all times, and in every situation of life. Sometimes we're so blind! But by His Spirit He'll help us if we ask it. Then let's pray that we will be as sheep are to their shepherd, following Him, trusting him and loving Him all the time! And let's give Him thanks for both rod and staff in every situation - even when, like sheep, we don't fully understand!
For me this is my "COMFORT" prayer. I say it almost every night after I turn off the lights and the TV. I curl up in my blankets and say:
Lord you are my shepard, I do not want for any good or beneficial thing, you lay me down to rest in green pastures and lead me beside the still waters. You restore my soul.
Yes even when IÂ am walking though those dark valleys and dark shadows of death you are with me. You have prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies, annointed my head with oil and my cup of blessings is overflowing. Surely you goodness and mercy will follow me allt he days of my life and I will dwell in your house forever.
You will noticed that I changed some of the words and made it my own prayer.
With all the love revealed in the Cross, Jesus wants us to know His shepherding. Yes indeed, He would have us to make this psalm personal!