Father Shepherd-- Psalm 23

A psalm of David
This is the most famous of all of David’s psalms. It is well-known among all Jews and Christians today and is has been popular for thousands of years. In ancient times, it was given a special place in the Jewish liturgy and today it is read in most Christian funerals. The words are so familiar as to be commonplace, unthinkingly repeated. But let’s think about what this psalm really means, and why it is so important for so many people.

Yahweh is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.
To be a shepherd in ancient Israel didn’t just mean someone who keeps an eye on sheep. It also was a common word for leader or ruler. The elders and kings of Israel were often called “shepherds”, and it was not unheard of for God to be called a shepherd. (For example, Micah 5:5-6; Isaiah 44:28; Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 31:10). David himself was called the shepherd of all Israel (Psalm 78:71; II Samuel 5:2). So when David says that God is his shepherd, yes he is using the metaphor of a shepherd, but he is really talking about God’s merciful and protective leadership.
Often the second line we hear is “I shall not want.” But this is not “want” as in to desire something. Rather, this is meaning to lack anything that is necessary. God is such a good leader, that he takes care of all of his people’s needs. In the ancient world, it was the king’s job to make sure his people had the basic bread and water they needed. Often kings couldn’t fulfill this social contract. But God is a better king, always providing for those of his people who are in need (Psalm 37:25; Matthew 6:25-33).

In grassy meadows he lets me lie.
By tranquil streams he leads me.
He renews my life.
David here continues his metaphor by reminding people of something shepherds commonly did for their flock—he would daily lead them to grassy areas where they would have a cool place to lay down in the heat of the day. At the same time, the cool meadow would have a stream, which would water the grass as well as the flock. The shepherd knows the needs of his flock before they do and cares for them, giving them life in the midst of heat and suffering.
Even so, God restores his people by his actions. When his people were suffering under slavery, he sent Moses and delivered them. When his people were suffering under sin, he sent Jesus to deliver them from sin. When God’s people are suffering, he already has a plan, a purpose to restore their life to goodness.

He guides me in right paths
As befits his name.
A shepherd is a guide. Sheep and goats don’t really know where to go that would be best for them, but the shepherd figures it out and leads them to where they should go. Even so, God has given us his Law. He leads his people into correct ways, away from the paths of harm. Even as a shepherd doesn’t want his flock to drown or fall off a cliff, so God doesn’t want us to be destroyed by our own wrong-headed desires. God does this, even as a shepherd, not just to care for his flock, but because of his reputation. Because if his people were destroyed through his carelessness, then he would rightly be blamed for it.

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death
I will fear no harm for You are with me.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
In full view of my enemies.

Sometimes, to care for their flock, a shepherd needs to pass through valleys that had predators that would endanger the sheep. He did this for their own good, to get to a better place. But the shepherd also doesn’t just leave the sheep with nothing to defend themselves. The shepherd himself carries weapons that would protect the sheep if the worst happens.
Even so, God often guides us through terrible places, great suffering and anguish. We can be extremely anxious about the dangers around us. But God is with us, and carries weapons that will protect us. He has the greatest power in the world, and uses it for our benefit. This does not mean that he won’t take us into difficult, terrible places. He sometimes will. But he is there to protect us, to be with us, every step of the way. Because of this, we can trust in Him and not be afraid. Sometimes its hard to not be afraid, but with God with us, we have nothing really to fear.
And then, God’s protection is so full that He is able to help us and support us even right before the ones who want to harm us. God and we are so assured of His protection, that we can receive from Him right before our enemies, and they can do nothing about it.

You anoint my head with oil
My cup is full to the brim.
To be anointed is to have an office of honor among God’s people. For David, this honor was to be king, and he was anointed king over God’s people, three times (I Samuel 16:13; II Samuel 2:4; II Samuel 5:3). But other offices are anointed, like that of priest and that of prophet (Exodus 29:4-7; I Kings 19:16). The laying on of hands is much like anointing in this sense (I Timothy 4:14). So this line is speaking from the perspective of one who has been given special honor among God’s people. Since, he has been blessed to be honored in this way, life can offer nothing more.

Only abundant kindness and goodness will follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of Yahweh forever.

God’s mercy and grace is always with his people. God will never forsake them or leave them, because, like a shepherd, He has committed himself to caring for them. And for God’s people, there is no greater blessing than to be in God’s house, God’s kingdom forever. This promise is offered to all who follow God, that they will live forever in God’s house.