Psalm 23 – David

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd, I am never in need.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, and he leads me to still waters.
He restores my soul, and he leads me on the paths of righteousness.
For the sake of his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no harm.
Because I know you are always with me and your rod
And your staff give me comfort.
You prepare a banquet before me, in the presence of my foes.
You anoint my head with your precious oil, and my cup it overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in your courts forever. Forever!

Psalm 23 is probably the most recited of any of the Psalms. Even if you don’t own a Bible, you have probably heard it recited at a funeral or by someone who is in a time of trial.  The Psalm is comforting, calming and reassuring.  It is also the story of David’s life.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.” 

Psalm 23:1-2

David began his career as a shepherd for his father Jesse.  The youngest of his brothers, he was often overlooked when it came to the “bigger” jobs, such as going to war.  Yet David took his job very seriously.  He guarded each of his sheep diligently, fighting lions and other beasts to protect them.  With David on guard, those sheep had little to fear, for David would lead them where they needed to go and provide for their every need.  David knew the importance of his role to the welfare of those sheep, and he knew the importance of God in the life of his people.  God was David’s shepherd, watching and guarding him from all danger.  With God on guard, David knew that he had nothing to fear, for God would lead him where he needed to go and provide for his every need.

About half way through the Psalm, we find a different tone.  

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” 

Psalm 23:4

David’s life was not to be limited to a career in shepherding.  He found himself walking through the “valley of the shadow of death” on more than one occasion.  The first was when he faced Goliath, the giant in war.  Shrugging off the man-made defenses, David faced the giant with a sling, a stone, and faith in his Good Shepherd.  Later, David found himself chased by an insane king who, out of jealousy, wished him dead.  

“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.”

Psalm 23:5

After he became king, David led his armies to great victory against their enemies time and again under God’s hand.  God granted him great success during his kingship and subdued those around him.

Perhaps David’s greatest enemy, however, was himself.  In 2 Samuel 11 & 12, we see a dark period in David’s life, when he committed adultery with the wife of one of his soldiers.  As a result of their sin, the woman became pregnant. David resorted to manipulation and lies to try to cover the sin.  When that failed, David had the woman’s husband murdered, and then took her as his own wife.  God saw the sin of David and sent the prophet Nathan to confront him.  David confessed his sin and asked God for forgiveness.  We find his heartfelt confession in Psalm 51.  David realized that his actions had not only hurt those around him, but they had distanced him from God. He had lost the peace and communion that he once had.  David records his agony over what he had done.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner – yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me –
Don’t keep looking at my sins.  Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
Then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.

Psalm 51:1-15

David understood that the greatest consequence to sin was separation from the God who had loved, protected, sustained, and guided him through his life.  He realized the dread of being a sheep that has run from its shepherd and was now lost, alone and unprotected.

David has an important and very comforting message for us – just as comforting as Psalm 23 itself. It is the truth that even when we stray from God, He will welcome us back.  Sin separates us from God, but nothing can separate us from His love.  The Bible tells us that David was a murderer, an adulterer, a liar, an abuser of his power and authority, and a bad father, yet the he is described as a “man after God’s own heart”!  David did not live anything close to a perfect life, but his heart longed for God, and because of that, God was able to use and bless him.  Through David’s line, Jesus Christ was born, and soon He will rule on the throne of David.  David knew that his life was marred by sin, yet he knew that God could overcome his inadequacies.  He trusted God for this and believed it so fully that he was able to say, 

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23:6

Our sin has also separated us from God, but he made a way to bridge the gap through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on that cross.  We too can have our heart renewed and peace restored by laying our sin at the feet of the cross.  

Related Devotional

The Good Shepherd

For inspirational discussion of Psalm 23, read “Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms” by Max Lucado.

For articles about repentance, try these.

“What Is Repentance?  How Do We Repent and Become Saved?” with Christianity Today:
What Is Repentance? How Do We Repent and Become Saved?

“8 Steps for Real Repentance from Psalm 51” by Catherine Parks:
8 Steps for Real Repentance

“What is Real Repentance?” by Leah Baugh
WHAT IS REAL REPENTANCE?

Music and lyrics by LuAnne Barnet.  Copyright (c) 2004 LuAnne Barnet.  All Rights Reserved

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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