Psalm 23 from Another Perspective

Our meditation today shall be a line-by-line exposition of Psalm 23.

The Lord is my Shepherd (Who purchased me from the sheep market at a very high price – paying such a high price for my ownership with the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son. As a sheep, I know nothing of myself, nor can take any independent action on my own without the permission of my Owner, the Good Shepherd (Psalm 95:7, 100:3). Therefore, being my Shepherd, He is the One responsible for my feeding, housing, welfare, direction, protection and general well being);

I shall not want (Because my Shepherd, Who is the Owner of the heavens, the earth and all their fullness, is the One responsible for the supply of all my needs, as they arise from time to time, according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:13), that is why I cannot want because no sheep that is owned provides for itself. It is the responsibility of the shepherd to do that).

He makes me to lie down in green pastures (He locates and establishes me in conducive environments – in my house, my business, my school, my organisation, my church, my ministry, and my world in general. It is the shepherd or the owner of the sheep who determines where the flock should berth and where they should feed. All I need to do is just to follow Him and He would be the one to determine where I should settle. And this scripture says that wherever He settles me will be luscious and green pastures);

He leads me beside the still waters (He gives me restful means of sustenance that are without stress, pain or any trouble to draw from. Being the one to also determine where I will draw sustenance from, He would ensure that the water I drink from is the restful one and not one that will cause me trouble. Because He is the one looking after my welfare).

He restores my soul (He renews and refreshes my spirit, soul and body with all the good things they need for health and maximum performance. My welfare and well-being are of supreme importance to my Shepherd. therefore, He would ensure that I am well rested and replenished for the race and other endeavours of life He would want me to pursue. he does not work me ragged. He works me in such a wat that I get to recharge my battery from time to time for rejuvenation).

He leads me in the paths of righteousness ((Psalm 78:52) So that I do not stray from the right course in my exuberance or ignorance, not because I merit it. The paths He leads me are perfect and just. because He would not indulge in iniquity Himself, where He would lead me and what He would have me involved in are righteous and just).

For His name’s sake (Because He has the reputation of being The Good Shepherd, who can never abscond His responsibilities nor change His nature from good to bad (John 14:1). So His reputation being at stake means that He would do good by me. He would take care of me. That is the reason I am assured that I am in good hands and that…)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Even when I find myself in dangerous or life-threatening situations that portend evil or great calamity) I will fear no evil (Why?)

For You are with me (Since I am not leading myself anyway, but I am a protégé of The Good Shepherd. Therefore, I can rest assured that all will be well with and ‘no shaking’).

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Instead of beating and intimidating me, even when I get presumptuous and behave wrongly as I tend to do from time to time, You only use Your shepherd’s rod to gently guide me back to the right course, without any mark of harm or injury on my body. Your rod is not used to abuse or chastise, but to guide and comfort me).

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Without them being able to do anything to stop me from enjoying the delicacies. Why? Because you are right there watching over me to ensure that I am safe. While my enemies are only confined to a distance, glaring at me morosely without their being able to do anything to harm me. And they dare not move near, otherwise, they will have to contend with You, the Mighty Man in battle).

You anoint my head with oil (of gladness which gives me the divine ability to do all that you have nurtured me to do),

My cup runs over (Because you simply did not stop pouring the oil on me and investing in me until I overflowed with the abundance of your goodness).

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me (Not sorrow, not sadness, not disaster, not mourning, not fear, not evil, not grief, not poverty, not frustration, not failure, nor pain, but goodness and mercy shall be my constant companion)

All the days of my life (that is all the Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays that I live!),

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord (Since that is where He will always lead me for rest. For He will never leave me in the house of a stranger. Therefore, I am certain of always being in His pleasurable presence during the day (Psalm 16:11) and the secret place of His fortress in the night (Psalm 31:20))

Forever (and ever. That is as long as I am here on earth, and even when I transit to heaven above. Amen).

Psalm 23 in full

The Lord is my shepherd;

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

• What to Do When Confused and Perplexed (2)
• What to Do When Confused and Perplexed (3)
• Two Days We Should Not Worry