Tips From A Sheepherder (psalm 23:2) - The One Year Book of Psalms

Psalm 23

A psalm of David

1The LORD is my shepherd;

I have everything I need.

2He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

3He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

4Even when I walk

through the dark valley of death,

I will not be afraid,

for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

protect and comfort me.

5You prepare a feast for me

in the presence of my enemies.

You welcome me as a guest,

anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

6Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD

forever.

In A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Philip Keller shares his experiences in raising sheep. He discovered rather quickly that “sheep do not just take care of themselves. . . . They require, more than any other class of livestock, endless attention and meticulous care.”

He also found that sheep do not rest or lie down unless they are free from fear, free from tension with other sheep, free of flies or other pests, and free from hunger. Keller then points out how the Lord delivers us from fear (2 Timothy 1:7), tensions (Philippians 4:6-7), irritations of daily life (John 14:27), and spiritual hunger (John 6:35).

Regarding peaceful streams, Keller says there are three ways sheep quench their thirst: (1) licking up the morning dew; (2) drinking water drawn from deep wells; or (3) drinking from flowing streams. Once again there are parallels to the Christian life. The morning dew reminds us of our need for spiritual drink as we start each day; the deep wells remind us of what God supplies to deepen our spiritual life; and the flowing streams remind us of the work of the Holy Spirit (see John 7:39) to lead us into truth.

Let us look to our great Shepherd to provide for us and lead us where we need to go.

Drop thy still dews of quietness,

Till all our strivings cease;

Take from our souls the strain and stress,

And let our ordered lives confess

The beauty of thy peace.

JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER

Bible Networking

For another look at the Lord as a shepherd, read Ezekiel 34:11-24.

Notable Quotable

“The green pastures were a seasonal phenomenon. The fields, even parts of the desert, would ‘green’ during the winter and spring. But in summer and fall the sheep would be led to many places to search for food. God’s care is not seasonal, but constant and abundant.”

WILLEM VANGEMEREN