June 9, 2025

Psalm 23:1-3  (HCSB)
The Good Shepherd

A Davidic psalm.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.

Nathan Putty
So, David would have been painfully aware that literal green pastures were not readily available where he was from. Of course, David is speaking about the love, hope, and calm that the Lord brings him. But I can’t help but think David would have had a unique perspective because of his rather barren surroundings. The word shepherd appears in the Old Testament in reference to several types of occupations and leadership positions. Military leaders are called shepherds (Isaiah 44:28). David himself was, of course, a shepherd boy tending to sheep. But the most profound use of the word shepherd refers to God himself. Whether guiding troops into battle or leading a lost sheep back to the herd, or God steering our lives in a way that leads us to Him, the word shepherd could and did mean a multitude of things. Just a final thought on these short verses: is there anything more beautiful than the imagery here? Green pastures, quiet waters, renewal. Peace. Thank you, God. 

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