The Shepherd and the Sheep: A Study of Psalm 23:1-4

“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.”
Psalm 23:1-4 (NASB)

David, the shepherd-king, starts this Psalm with a metaphor that’s as personal as it is profound: Yahweh is a shepherd—not just a ruler, not just a judge, not just some cosmic landlord collecting rent from His tenants. A shepherd. A leader who gets his hands dirty, who knows his sheep by name, who sleeps in the elements to keep them safe.

This passage sets up a few key themes: provision, peace, guidance, and restoration. And we’re going to connect these ideas to other scriptures to see just how much God drives this point home.

The Lord as Shepherd

David knew a thing or two about shepherding. He wasn’t writing some Hallmark-card sentiment here—he was pulling from his own experience guarding sheep in the wilderness (1 Samuel 17:34-35). He had fought lions and bears to protect his flock, and now, he recognized that God does the same for His people.

Jesus picks up this same theme in the New Testament, calling Himself the “Good Shepherd” who lays down His life for the sheep:

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
John 10:11 (NASB)

Notice the connection—David says the Lord is his shepherd, and Jesus later identifies Himself as the fulfillment of that role. He doesn’t outsource the job. He personally leads, protects, and provides.

“I Shall Not Want”

Now, this doesn’t mean we get everything we put on our Amazon wish list. “Want” here means “lack” or “be in need.” This echoes what Paul says in Philippians:

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (NASB)

The shepherd provides. Not always what we think we need, but what we actually need. The problem isn’t that God isn’t providing—the problem is that we often mislabel our desires as needs.

“He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures”

Sheep are skittish. They don’t lie down unless they feel completely safe. No predators. No threats. Just peace. This reflects what Jesus offers:

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (NASB)

God doesn’t just lead us to rest; He makes us rest. Sometimes through circumstances, sometimes through conviction. Either way, He knows we need it.

“He Leads Me Beside Still Waters”

Sheep won’t drink from rushing water. They’ll stand there thirsty rather than risk the danger. So the shepherd has to find or make a calm place for them to drink. The still waters symbolize the peace of God, the kind Jesus promised:

“Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”
John 14:27 (NASB)

It’s not just any peace—it’s His peace. The kind that doesn’t shake under pressure. The kind that holds firm when everything else crumbles.

“He Restores My Soul”

Restoration is more than just a nap—it’s revival, bringing something back to life. When we’re spiritually drained, God is the one who revives us. Consider what Isaiah says:

“He gives strength to the weary, and to the one who lacks might He increases power.”
Isaiah 40:29 (NASB)

God doesn’t just patch us up—He renews us. And He doesn’t wait for us to be in perfect shape before He does it.

The Promise

Psalm 23 isn’t just poetic—it’s a promise. God leads, provides, gives peace, and restores. And Jesus makes it clear that He is the ultimate fulfillment of that promise. The question isn’t whether He’s willing to shepherd us. The question is whether we’re willing to follow.

Additional Resources

Books:

• A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
  W. Phillip Keller offers insights into the life of a shepherd, shedding light on the profound meaning behind the psalm.
• Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms: Hope and Encouragement from Psalm 23
  Max Lucado provides reflections and encouragement based on the comforting words of Psalm 23.

These are Amazon affiliate links for these books. We use affiliate links to offset our operating costs. Using them helps us stay online. You don’t have to use these though; you can just search for the book. Happy reading!

Web Resources:

• Enduring Word Bible Commentary on Psalm 23
  David Guzik’s comprehensive commentary offers verse-by-verse insights into Psalm 23.
• Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Psalm 23
  An in-depth analysis of Psalm 23 by renowned theologian Matthew Henry.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Copyright © 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.