Psalm 23 is one of the most popular passages read at funerals or beside hospital beds. It has been used to bring peace to many in hard times. It has evoked calm and comforting imagery of pastures, ponds, and a patient shepherd.
The opening line of the Psalm has also sometimes led to misconceptions. So what does this verse really teach?
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
(Psalm 23)
A Verse with a Context
While most of us reading this do not have first-hand experience as shepherds, we know that the author of this Psalm, King David, did in fact have experience as a shepherd. As a boy, David tended his father’s sheep as a literal shepherd (1 Samuel 16:11). As king, David tended the people of Israel as a metaphorical shepherd (2 Samuel 5:2). Now, David writes about the Lord tending to him as a heavenly shepherd.
One of the most common misconceptions about Psalm 23 comes from reading the first couple lines without reading the rest of the Psalm.
The Psalm says “I shall not want.” Then it speaks of green pastures, still waters, and restoration of the soul. I can understand how some might begin to think that a life with God means a life of ease where all our earthly desires are met.
However, when we read the Psalm in context, we see a different picture. The Psalm speaks of walking “through the valley of the shadow of death” (v4). It also speaks of enemies nearby (v5). The Lord our shepherd leads us in paths of righteousness (v3), and apparently some of these paths of righteousness go through tough places. This should not shock us when we consider other passages of Scripture that tell us the hard times are when we grow the most (James 1:2-4).
We are tempted to read verse 1 as saying that we shall not be wanting or desiring anything. However, a more literal look at the original Hebrew would read, “I shall not lack.” We may have many wants or desires, but we will not lack anything that is ultimately good for us from a heavenly perspective.
Your Life Today
We may be tempted to wonder why the Lord our shepherd would lead us through the valley of the shadow of death. Psalm 23 gives us two answers. First, it tells us that the Lord leads us along paths of righteousness. Suffering and trials can be used by God to help us grow (Hebrews 12:11). Second, the Psalm tells us that that the Lord also leads us through green pastures and beside still waters. Why might he lead us down a tough and dangerous road? Because there are green pastures and still waters on the other side. Whether in this life or the next, the Lord will always deliver us through the valley of shadow and into the sun.
