A Psalm of David
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even 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 overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
If anyone knew about shepherding, David certainly did. He tended his father's flock with love and devotion. He cared for them and protected them, even killing the lion and the bear! It was his experience as a shepherd that became his training ground for both defeating the taunting giant Goliath and also leading God's people as King over Israel. Many believe that Psalm 23 was written while David was on the run from King Saul, who was after his life.
There are 57 words in Psalm 23. It is interesting that 57 is the numerical value of the Hebrew word "zan" which means to sustain. Within those 57 words are 227 letters which together equal the numerical value of the Hebrew word "brachah". This word means blessing. Far too often we save Psalm 23 for funerals and in doing so we deny ourselves the sustenance and blessing that is available to us in these beautiful scriptures. This 23rd Psalm is so encouraging when we dig deeper into it. With the understanding that I am only scratching the surface and that my knowledge is limited, I want to share with you the encouragement I am receiving as I daily contemplate and meditate on these scriptures. May these truths become more than words on a page but a daily reality in our lives!
The Lord is my shepherd:
When you see LORD (all caps) it is the Hebrew word, Yahweh. It first appears in Exodus 3:14. God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.” YHWH: He who is or He who brings into existence whatever exists. I love that. God needs no other explanation. I AM. Can you imagine how our lives would change if we could fully walk in the fullness of that revelation? "I AM" is my shepherd! I don't know about you but I really need to sit and dwell on that one reality for a while. Just that one realization can become a game-changer! I don't have to "be" in my own strength because I have "IAM". He is my shepherd!
The phrase"my shepherd" speaks of a relationship that is very personal. He is not just a shepherd or the good shepherd but He is my shepherd. The Hebrew word for Shepherd is ra'ah and it literally means to tend a flock. It also speaks of companionship and friendship. God, I AM is our shepherd. He doesn't lead us from afar but leads you and me through an intimate relationship and into companionship with Him. In John 15:15 Jesus says, "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all the things I have heard from my father, I have made known to you." It is in the place of intimate friendship with Jesus, where we easily recognize His voice and are able to follow His lead. John 10:27 Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
I shall not want:
Want means to lack, need, be lacking, to decrease. The enemy would have us worry about what we might lose if we follow the Lord wholeheartedly. The sheep trust the shepherd. He cares for them in such a way that they lack nothing, are not found in need, and in fact, only increase. Jesus himself tells us in John 10:10 that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy but He comes that we will have life and have it abundantly. Abundant means existing or available in large quantities; plentiful. Abundant life comes through a close and intimate relationship with the Lord, our Shepherd. Yes, there are seasons of difficulty but when we follow Him and fully rely on and trust in Him, He will always lead us into a plentiful place where we lack nothing!
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
Lie down: this is the verb rabats and speaks of the resting position of a sheep. Picture the animal sprawling out, in a state of relaxation without fear of predators or starvation because it is in the care and protection of the shepherd. Psalm 4:8 says I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone Oh LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Green pastures of course speak of the shepherd leading the sheep to where there is food and nourishment. I think of sheep eating and grazing while being completely at peace. They don't have to be on guard for predators because their shepherd is watching over them. They have no fear of provision running out because they know the Shepherd will always lead them to a place where there is provision. I have always pictured miles and miles of lush green grass whenever I read this verse but when I think of any description of Israel that I have heard of, there is lots of desert land. That brings me to wonder if this description could be accurately described as a shepherd who is so knowledgeable and familiar with the landscape that he knows exactly where to lead the sheep through the dry & rocky places to find the green pastures. This very much describes the season I am in. As a single mom so often I feel very vulnerable. When fear & anxiety begin to rise up within me, I remember that I AM is my Shepherd and I don't have to be hypervigilant or do things in my own strength. Because He leads me, watches over me, protects, and provides I can find pasture and be at rest in Him. In John 10:9 Jesus says of himself, I am the gateway. To enter through me is to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction, TPT. The ESV uses the word "door". Through Him, we can go in and out and find pasture. Even as sheep follow the shepherd, trusting his lead through desert places on their way to the green pastures; so we too can trust I AM, our Shepherd as He leads us through harsh and difficult terrain and brings us to a place that is lush, fertile and fruitful.
He leads me beside still waters:
Lead in Hebrew is the verb nahal. It means to gently and carefully lead another and provide protection and sustenance. We've all had experiences with people in our lives who have tried to move or drive us into a certain place or outcome. We may even have areas ourselves where we may try to control our circumstances to one degree or another, in order to feel safe. Whenever I see this in others or myself, I am reminded of how the Lord always leads. He is not harsh or forceful. He doesn't manipulate or drive his sheep. He always leads. If I am feeling "driven" whether, by my own desires or someone else's, that is a clue that I need to stop and listen for my Shepherd's voice. He will lead me out of a place of turbulence to still waters.
Menuchah is the Hebrew noun for still. It means "a quiet place of rest" and is derived from Strong's number 5117, a verb meaning to "settle down to rest." I Am, our Shepherd gently and carefully leads us and provides protection and sustenance. We can trust Him to lead us to a place where we can truly settle down, rest, and be refreshed. But He can also turn a barren wilderness into an oasis of water! Psalm 107:35. Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him - Psalm 62:1
He restores my soul:
The Hebrew word for restore is shuwb. It means to turn back with the idea of returning to the starting point. It also means to bring back home again, to deliver, to carry again, to recover, refresh, relieve, render, rescue, retrieve, return, reverse, set again... Isaiah 46:4 says I will sustain you and I will rescue you. In Matthew 18:12-23 Jesus speaks of the shepherd going out to bring a lost sheep home again: If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. Matthew 18:12-13
My laptop has more than one restore point. If it is not operating properly, running slow, etc... I might set it back to one of those "restoration" points. I have done this and still had a computer that was not fully functional. The Lord gave me Psalm 23:3 as I was going through a very painful experience and is now one of my favorite verses. I clung to it when I was deeply wounded and it is a promise that I still speak over my life. He restores my soul! I praise God that He restores fully. He doesn't just take us back to a previous "restore point" leaving us only partially functional. He makes all things new! (Isaiah 43:19). My shepherd, I AM restores back to His original intent and purpose!
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake:
This word lead is a little different than the word lead in He leads me beside still waters. Lead in this verse is the Hebrew word nachach. It speaks of guiding someone to a place that is unfamiliar. Path in Hebrew is ma'gal. It means a track, a trench. When I think of a path I think of something that is not intentionally built or constructed such as a road or bridge but is naturally visible due to others having previously traveled in that same place, clearing or marking the way. A path is not always as visible as a well-constructed road and but Psalm 119:105 says Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. His Word guides us and lights the way for us when the way doesn't seem clear, but also I AM Himself as a shepherd, leads us. Where does He lead us?
Righteousness: tsedeq, means correct and right. Proverbs 14:12 tells us that there is a way that seems right unto man but the end thereof is destruction. How easy it is to go down the wrong path and get lost. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few - Matthew 7:13. There's that word gate again. Rather than having our eyes on other sheep and following them through the gate that is wide, we must keep our eyes on I Am. He leads us through the gate that is narrow. When we follow Him, the path may be difficult, but it won't lead to destruction. He always leads us down the right path. Righteousness simply put is the state of being right with God. I can think of a time when if I had followed I Am rather than a man, I would have been spared a lot of pain and hardship. But God is so good and when we choose to walk with I Am and follow Him, He never leaves us where we are at.
Name in Hebrew is Shem and means just that, a name but it is also used in the sense of a person's reputation or fame. It is for His namesake that I AM leads us down that narrow path this is right.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me:
I didn't know until recently that there is a real place called the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It is a steep, deep, and narrow canyon that runs parallel to the Jordan River in the Judean Desert. Because of the steep and narrow features, the sun only hits this valley at high noon. It takes an hour and a half to two hours to journey from one end of the valley to the other. Some say that this is the location where the parable of the Good Samaritan took place. Many also believe that David had likely led his sheep here because of its location, being not far from Bethlehem where he lived in his father's house.
In this passage, the Hebrew word for valley speaks of a deep, narrow gorge. The phrase shadow of death comes from two Hebrew words, one meaning shade, and the other death. Combined they make the Hebrew word, tsal'mavet. Apparently, two Hebrew words combined into one is only done for a name. Yes, the Lord is with us even in the shadow of physical death, but it seems here that David likely used this phrase to describe the Valley of the Shadow of Death that is known today by its Arabic name of Wadi Qelt. Sheep are easily frightened, especially in the dark where they don't see very well but a good shepherd will keep his sheep calm and unafraid. The word evil here in the Hebrew language means bad, adversity, calamity, distress, grief, harm, heavy, hurtful, misery, sorrow, trouble, and wrong. We may face these things from time to time but we never have to fear them when when we find ourselves in that deep valley of darkness. I Am is with us!
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me:
The Hebrew word for Rod is shebet. It means to branch off, a stick for punishing, fighting, and walking. Who does a shepherd punish and fight? It's not the sheep. He uses the staff to punish and fight any predator that would harm the sheep. The noun for the Hebrew word staff is meshenah. It is also a walking stick, relating to support and sustenance. It's the feminine form of mish'en which speaks of a protector. I AM gives us support and sustenance. The main difference between a rod and a staff is that the rod is a short, straight; somewhat heavier club-like tool. The staff is thinner and longer. It helps the shepherds direct the flock while the rod was generally used for defending and protecting the flock. We can be comforted because I AM is our protector also He also directs and guides us, especially when we are going through those dark valleys.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
The word "prepare" in Hebrew means to set in a row, to arrange, put in order, to furnish. The word "table" is just that but speaks of a spreading out. To furnish means to provide or supply. In other words, there is a table. It's not a cute little table, off in the corner somewhere. It is a large table that spreads out. Everything on this table is deliberately arranged and provided by I AM! He does this in the presence of our enemies!
"Before" means in the face of. "Presence" means in front, to stand out boldly. Again, not hiding in a corner. The Hebrew word for "enemy" means to cramp literally or figuratively; an adversary, affliction, bind up, distress, narrow, oppress, shut up, be in a straight, vex. Another way to put this is: I AM will arrange a meal for me.
In 1 Samuel 21 David is hiding from King Saul, feeling for his life He goes to the Ahimelech the priest. King Saul had not called on a priest to make inquiry of God for years by this point in time, but here David goes to inquire of the Lord and Ahimelech does not realize that David is running from King Saul who is trying to kill him. Here David is alone and hungry. David asks for bread to eat but the only bread available is the Holy Bread. Some versions use the word “consecrated bread” because it is set apart, displayed before the Lord in the tabernacle for a week, then removed for fresh bread. There were 12 loaves of bread that stood for the 12 tribes of Israel. This bread was called the Showbread also called the Bread of Presence. While his enemies are pursing him, David flees to the Tabernacle of God where he fIndy both provision and nourishment. While there, he was even given the sword he had used to cut off Goliaths head! In John chapter 6 Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.”
I AM sets, furnishes, and arranges a table that is spread out before us. He provides the meal and invites us to eat at His table in the presence of our enemies!
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows:
The word Hebrew for "anoint" means to be fat. Fatness speaks of abundance. Figuratively the word dashen means to satisfy. Oil can mean grease, it can speak of olive oil that is perfumed, fat, ointment. It comes from a root word that means to shine, to be oily, become fat. (as in abundance). The word "cup" in this passage is literally a container. The root word also means a bag for money, such as a purse. The idea is that I AM will provide everything that we, his followers need. We won't just have barely enough. Our cup will overflow. We will have such an abundance that the evidence of the provision will be displayed in front of our enemy. This will cause that enemy to realize it has no hold or power over us. Remember that our enemies are not flesh and blood but principalities, powers of darkness, and evil wickedness in high places.
Here's an interesting fact: Sheep were often troubled by insects that would buzz around their heads, trying to lay eggs on the membranes of the sheep's nose and ears. The sheep became distracted and obsessed with keeping those bugs away. The shepherds applied oil as a soothing remedy that would keep pests away and provide immediate relief.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
Surely means it's a sure thing. Goodness in this passage means pleasure, beautiful, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, favor, wealth, welfare. The root word means to do or make good. Mercy means kindness, beauty, favor. It comes from a root word that means to bow the neck in kindness.
Follow does not mean just to follow. It literally means to chase after, to pursue. Goodness and kindness and everything that comes with those two things will chase me down all the days of my life!
I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever:
The word "dwell" is "yashab" and means to sit, (specifically as a judge) and to dwell, to remain, to settle, to inhabit. Wow! Having a table set before us in front of our enemy, then our head anointed with oil, our cup running over, and goodness and mercy chasing us all the days of our life; could that possibly be a judgment upon the enemy? Does he have to observe the reversal of everything harmful and evil thing he has done? I think of how David went from being a shepherd boy to being in King Saul's house, to be in hiding and on the run because King Saul is trying to murder him, and finally, David becomes King, ruling over Israel. Not only that, through the line of David comes Jesus, the Messiah! House can mean literal house and also a temple or dwelling house of God. We too get to rule over our enemies and dwell in the house of I AM all the days of our lives!
There are so many things to chew on and digest in these 57 words that together numerically mean to sustain and 227 letters that mean blessing. It is so much more than a word of comfort when a loved one passes or a cute little Sunday school lesson. There is so much sustenance and blessing in these scriptures, that I can't even begin to fully comprehend it but daily I ask Him to reveal more and more. When I am overwhelmed and need encouragement I find it here in Psalm 23. What a powerful passage that paints a beautiful picture of all that is available to us as we follow our Shepherd, I AM.
- Living to learn authentically!
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