For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 23 – The Lord’s my Shepherd

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

A. Find Out:

1. How does David picture the Lord? v.1
2. What 4 things does the Lord do? v.2,3
3. Where and why does David fear no evil? v.4
4. What does God do for him and where? v.5a
5. What also does he do for David? v.5b
6. What did David expect for his future? v.6

B. Think:

1. From what does David’s security come?
2. How does God care for his well-being?
3. What does this Psalm tell us about the nature and character of God?

C. Comment:

     David first gives us the picture of the Lord being his shepherd and, by implication, he is a sheep. First of all the Lord looks after his well-being. He stills him, makes him rest, leads him into quiet places, restores him and then guides him in the right way. Yes, everything here speaks of well-being! Then comes the sense of security, in being under the eye of the shepherd who, in being concerned for his well-being, will guard him against enemies and death.

     But even more, he has a sense that not only will the Lord protect him from his enemies but He will also provide abundant blessings for him, even when the enemies are around. Even in the threatening circumstances the Lord is pouring out his goodness.

     The consequence of all this is that David has the sense of ongoing well-being, for the future. Goodness and love come from God and he can be assured that they will continue to flow out to him and that he will be able to dwell in God’s presence for ever.

      This famous Psalm is the peak of assurance for the believer, that he is looked after by God, will be provided for, cared for, and protected throughout all his days by the One who said, “I am the good shepherd” (see John 10:11).

D. Application?

1. Care, protection and provision are the inheritance of the believer.
2. Jesus IS the good shepherd.