The Lord Is My Shepherd.
By J. Clarke
In the twenty-third Psalm, David compares the Lord to a good Shepherd, and the people of God to a flock under the care of God. Christ calls himself the good Shepherd, and says, My sheep hear my voice. Here David speaks of himself as one of the sheep of the flock, and says, I shall not want; he maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. David had been a kind and watchful shepherd; had risked his life to rescue his charge from beasts of prey, which adds force to the figure here used. Perhaps he penned this Psalm, while yet a shepherd youth, as he reposed himself and his sheep in some quiet vale, upon the banks of a cool and refreshing stream; for evidently it was composed in a spirit of grateful devotion to God, for his especial care of him when in need. God’s people have ever been his especial care; and his children have always been provided for, with nourishing food, brought out from the treasure house of his word, by wise and good stewards, who have in due season brought out truths applicable to the time, the bread and the water of life. And as with fitness and propriety, Christ offered to his followers the water of life, so David likens spiritual blessings to bread and water, the staff of physical life, as he speaks of the green pastures and the still waters. Some shepherds have a curious idea, that because sheep can possibly exist for a long time without water, they do well enough without drink. Not so with David. His flocks have water cool and clear, as it meanders quietly along the valley; and in a figure, the good Shepherd so provides for his people; and so the effect, He restoreth my soul. Oh how refreshing is cool water to the thirsty soul! Dear reader, have you ever noticed the evident benefit of pure cool water to the flocks and herds, as they press to the well or spring to satisfy their thirst? Before partaking, how drooping and anxious they looked; now, how refreshed and vigorous. Let us imagine to ourselves such a shepherd as David, resting with his flock in some pleasant valley, upon the banks of a beautiful stream; the sheep have satisfied their hunger with the plentiful pasture; have quenched their thirst from the living stream; and now repose in quiet on the beautiful carpet of grass prepared by nature for them; and David, their shepherd, with harp and voice is praising God in accents of devotion and love; and as you look upon his noble features, elevated by such emotions, say, what scene can be more delightful? But this is not an imaginary picture. Here is the youthful shepherd preparing to lead the hosts of Israel to honor and renown. He has perhaps just led his flock a long and wearisome journey over mountains and hills, and now he rests in the sequestered vale; he looks upon the mountain ranges surrounding the vale, and he thinks of the defences around God’s people; and as he views the plain, rich with herbage for the flocks, he is reminded of the rich provision God has made for his people; and as he views the stream watering the extended plain, he thinks of the sweet influence of the good Spirit of God. And Now, he exclaims, “He leadeth me in paths of righteousness,” and as quiet assurance takes possession of his soul, renouncing slavish fear, his mind reverting to scenes of danger, perhaps some mountain gorge, where his flock had been in jeopardy during the shades of night, where he had defended them from robbers and wild beasts, he exclaims, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Why? As he had with his presence comforted and defended his sheep during the hours of night in the solitary and dangerous mountain pass, so would Jehovah defend his people, “for thou,” says he, “art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me;” and we may conclude, that, as David had defended his flock in times of peril, and now they repose beneath the watchful eye of their shepherd, so the people of God have here and there a season of repose and quiet before entering again upon dangers and perils. David continues, “Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies.” Perhaps those enemies who in their nightly raids had attempted to rob David of his life and property, were now at a distance upon the overhanging cliffs watching his movements, and witnessing his prosperity and happiness. His father or brothers might have just arrived bringing with them the delicacies of the season, and as he enjoys their kind attentions, whose property had been so well guarded by his care, he exclaims, “Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over;” and in the full assurance of hope, he continues, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Again in his more mature years might David adopt the language of this psalm, as he in his flight from the murderous hand of Saul, finds refuge in caves of the mountains and in solitary places, experiences the goodness of God in defending him most remarkably from danger, and in supplying his daily wants while in such a forlorn situation. Often no doubt was he signally delivered from famine, and a bountiful supply granted him in the sight of his enemies.