The Lord Is My Shepherd

The most familiar Psalm of all, read slowly. What does it look like to be cared for, led and protected by God through green pastures and dark valleys alike?

Summary

Charles Spurgeon's commentary on Psalm 23 presents it as the pearl of psalms, exploring David's pastoral meditation on God's shepherding care. The exposition traces through all six verses, showing how God provides rest, guidance, comfort through trials, provision, and eternal dwelling in His house.

The Psalm's Significance and Position

• Psalm 23 is described as David's heavenly pastoral, unrivaled in its piety and poetry, having comforted mourners throughout history
• It follows Psalm 22 (the Psalm of the Cross), establishing that understanding Christ's sacrifice precedes experiencing the Good Shepherd's care
• The psalm progresses from earthly provision to celestial notes, ending with eternal dwelling in God's house

God's Provision and Protection (Verses 1-3)

• The Lord is my shepherd—a statement of assured dependence emphasizing the personal relationship and present tense care of Jehovah
• I shall not want—believers lack nothing because God is both able and willing to supply all needs, temporal and spiritual
• Green pastures represent Scripture and spiritual truth, while still waters represent the Holy Spirit's gracious influences
• He restoreth my soul—God revives sorrowful souls, sanctifies sinful ones, and strengthens weak believers

Walking Through Trials (Verse 4)

• The valley of the shadow of death is presented not as a destination but as a passage through which believers calmly walk
• The shadow of death has lost its power because death's substance was removed by Christ; only the shadow remains
• I will fear no evil—the believer conquers fear through the assurance that Christ is present and has conquered all evil
• The rod and staff comfort the believer by reminding them that God still reigns as sovereign and gracious shepherd

Abundance and Peace Amid Opposition (Verses 5-6)

• A table is prepared before the believer in the presence of enemies, demonstrating God's peace even in trying circumstances
• Anointing with oil represents the daily fresh grace and unction needed for believers to fulfill their priestly office
• My cup runneth over—contentment, not wealth, determines whether one experiences abundance
• Goodness and mercy follow the believer all the days of life, through both bright and dark days

Eternal Dwelling (Verse 6)

• I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever—the believer's relationship with God continues eternally, ascending only to the upper story of His house
• Unlike servants who do not abide permanently, believers as sons abide forever in God's house

Scripture References

• Psalm 23
• Psalm 22
• Matthew 6:26
• Psalm 34:10
• Psalm 84:5
• Philippians 4:13
• 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Philippians 1:23