The LORD Is My Shepherd
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Listen to the "Verse by Verse" episode covering this scripture.
Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved and memorized Psalms. King David’s personal experience as a shepherd gave him unique training to be king and special insight into God’s role as our Good Shepherd.
These first three verses highlight God’s gentle and generous care for us. Green pastures mean plenty to eat without the constant struggle of moving from place to place in search of food. The still waters provide abundant water without the fear that fast-moving streams might evoke. The paths of righteousness are the safe and beneficial routes God leads us in life.
God’s spiritual sheep enjoy all these blessings in abundance through God’s Word (our food), the Holy Spirit (our water) and God’s righteous and beneficial way of life.
For more about Psalm 23, see “The Lord Is My Shepherd—and My Host.” For more about learning to be a loving shepherd like God, see “Born to Be a King.”
