Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd

Psalm 23:1–6

“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.”

Introduction

Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved passages in all of Scripture. It has brought comfort to the grieving, strength to the weary, and hope to the hopeless. David, a shepherd himself, uses the image of a shepherd caring for his sheep to show us how God cares for His people.

Today, let’s walk through this Psalm and see three truths about God’s care:

The Shepherd Provides.
The Shepherd Protects.
The Shepherd Promises.

1. The Shepherd Provides (Verses 1–3)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
David is saying that in God’s care, he lacks nothing essential. God provides rest (green pastures), peace (still waters), and renewal (He restores my soul).
When life feels overwhelming, remember that God knows your needs before you ask. He leads us, not just to places of provision, but also into righteousness, so our lives reflect His glory.

Are we allowing the Shepherd to lead us, or are we trying to find our own way? Sheep don’t thrive on their own; neither do we without God’s guidance.

2. The Shepherd Protects (Verse 4)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”
David does not say if we walk through valleys but when. The Christian life is not free from struggles, but we are never alone.
The rod and staff represent protection and guidance. God defends His people against enemies and gently pulls us back when we go astray.

What valley are you walking through today—fear, loss, uncertainty, sickness? The presence of the Shepherd means the absence of fear.

3. The Shepherd Promises (Verses 5–6)

“You prepare a table before me… my cup overflows.”
Even in the presence of enemies, God provides abundance and victory.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” God’s love is not temporary but lifelong. It doesn’t run out when we fail; His mercy keeps pursuing us.
“And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” That’s the ultimate promise—eternal life with Him.

As believers, we live not in fear of what may come but in the assurance that our Shepherd is leading us home.

Conclusion

Psalm 23 begins with the Lord is my Shepherd and ends with I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. That’s the journey of faith—trusting God’s provision today, His protection in trials, and His promise for eternity.

Final Challenge

Will you let the Shepherd lead your life?
Will you trust His provision instead of worrying?
Will you rest in His protection instead of fearing?
Will you live in hope of His promise instead of despair?

Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for being our Shepherd. Teach us to trust Your provision, rely on Your protection, and rest in Your promises. May Your goodness and mercy follow us, and may we dwell in Your presence forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd

Episodes

Psalm 23:The Lord is my shepherd