Psalm 23

David was a shepherd, so he knew what the shepherd's work and the sheep are like. Therefore, He was able to bridge that God is a Shepherd who cares for His Flock - His People. Let's see the amazing imagery he gives us and how we can understand how he wrote this Psalm.

Psalm 23	The Shepherd's Work	Application for life
The Lord is my shepherd	Sheep can recognize their shepherd. Care for them means ownership of them.	We are like sheep under God's care who belong to Him.
I shall not want	Some sheep wander off to greener lands, but this is dangerous.	God meets my deepest needs.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:	The shepherd has a crucial role to make sheep feel safe, and they will not rest until they feel safe from threats.	God makes me free to rest, especially in Him.
he leadeth me beside the still waters.	Sheep refuse rapid currents of waters, as they don't swim well. Therefore, the shepherd needs to find calm water.	We can drink of God's Holy Spirit who is water to our thirsty souls.
He restoreth my soul:	Some sheep struggle to get up quickly, as they may be dehydrated. The shepherd may have to prod the sheep or help it get up.	God cares for and keeps the heart and mind of those who love Him and that He loves.
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.	Sheep, like humans, are creatures of habit. By overgrazing, they can destroy their own pastures and must be led to a new land. But only shepherds know the best way to get there.	God will always lead us on the right path according to His Promise.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me	Valleys on the way to high pastures often have the best grasses, but there are many hidden dangers that may lurk for sheep.	God knows and deals with the fears and deadly dangers of life for us.
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.	Sheep need to learn to trust their shepherd. The shepherd's rod protects them, disciplines them, and saves them. It is meant as a tool to guide them.	God's discipline, guidance, and protection keeps His People safe.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies	Usually shepherds must prepare the pasture to remove poisons, toxins, and other bad things to ensure clean eating. Predators can wait ready to pounce on unsuspecting sheep.	God provides for our hunger, even when enemies surround us.
thou anointest my head with oil	Flying insects can cause problems for sheep especially during the summer. Oil is a natural bug repellent that can also heal the skin.	God takes care of our bodily needs.
my cup runneth over.	The good shepherd is willing to take the sheep to better grazing areas and water sources.	Our provision from God is abundant.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life	Sheep can aid in the fertility of the land and can transform wilderness into fertile fields. The good shepherd makes blessing follow his sheep.	God's goodness and Magnificent grace will be with us our entire lives.
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.	Sheep are taken back to the shepherd's property during the fall and winter.	We shall be with God for eternity.

The Old Testament's view of the shepherd

• God is the Shepherd (Genesis 49:24; Psalm 23; 80:1).
• God's appointed leaders are under-shepherds (Ezekiel 34).
• Many people in the Old Testament were actually shepherds for their jobs: Abel, Moses, David, Abraham, Isaac, Rachel, etc.
• Foreign leaders were occasionally called shepherds because of their leadership of God's People (Isaiah 44:28).
• The prophets used shepherd imagery pointing to the Messiah's coming (Ezekiel 34:22-24; 37:24; Isaiah 40:11; Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27).

The New Testament's view of the shepherd

• Jesus is our Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:34), our Good Shepherd (John 10:1-30), and our Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20).
• Jesus had compassion on the large crowds that came to see Him because they were as sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34).
• Jesus used sheep and shepherds in His parables (Matthew 12:11-12; 18:12-14; 25:31-46).
• Jesus commissioned His Disciples to care for His sheep (Matthew 10:6; 10:16; John 21:16-17).
• Jesus is the lamb of sacrifice (John 1:29; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6).
• Elders are shepherds under Christ (1 Peter 5:2).

Jesus' actions in response to normal shepherd duties

Duties of the Shepherd	Jesus' Work
Lead the sheep to safe water and pastures.	Calls His Disciples to follow wherever He leads (Matthew 4:18-22; John 10:4-9).
Protects the sheep from predators, pests, and other dangers.	Warns, intercedes, and rescued His People (Mark 8:15; John 17:12-15; Matthew 20:28; John 10:15).
Feeds the sheep, which also involves removing poisons and toxins from the food.	Feeds the crowds of people, for He Himself is the Bread of Life (Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-39; John 6:22-71).
Cares for weak or sick lambs.	Cares for the weak and sick (Matthew 14:14; 14:34-36).
Disciplines the wayward sheep and retrieves the lost.	Rebukes His Disciples whenever needed, and fins those who have lost their way (Matthew 14:29-31; 16:23; Luke 22:31-34).
Protects the cultivated land and crops from the sheep.	Guides His Disciples in the way of caring about others (Luke 6:27-36).
Prevents over-grazing.	Teaching His Disciples to be wise and harmless (Matthew 10:16).