“The LORD is my shepherd…” (Psalms 23:1)

The human author of Psalms 23 is attributed to be King David, king of Israel, by the Bible translators.

David was well acquainted with the shepherd concept, being a shepherd of sheep himself: “…There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep…” (1 Samuel 16:11). David well understood the daily tasks of a shepherd of sheep.

The primary position of the shepherd to the sheep was one as a guide, provider, and protector of the sheep. The shepherd’s main task was to focus upon the welfare of the sheep at all times. The sheep of a flock are completely dependent upon the shepherd for water, food, and safety – from the sheepcote to their return to the sheep’s housing. The shepherd leads, guides, provides, and protects his sheepfold.

The duty of the sheep is to know the voice of their shepherd; and to follow their shepherd, and only their shepherd, explicitly, with no hesitation.

So it is with David’s understanding of the role of the shepherd to his sheep; for the shepherd is completely responsible for the sheep’s welfare. Also David understood the role of the sheep to follow their own shepherd, and not another, for their complete provisions.

David begins his Psalm by identifying The Source: “The LORD is my shepherd.”

This statement is pregnant with many wonderful and beautiful truths of Christ, our (the saved’s) Shepherd. (See John 10:1-31.)

However, in the context of Psalm 23:1, David first points his reader to:

The Source (My Guide)

The KJV translators capitalize each letter of the English word “LORD” when translating the Hebrew word “Jehovah” or “Yahweh.”

The key to understanding this is noted in:

The Who: “The LORD” (Jehovah)

The word “Jehovah” is used with seven compound words to identify who the LORD is in the Bible:
1) “Jehovah Jireh” (Genesis 22:13-14)
2) “Jehovah Nissi” (Exodus 17:15)
3) “Jehovah Elohe Yisrael”; “LORD God of Israel” (Judges 5:3; Psalms 59:5; Isaiah 17:6; Zephaniah 2:9)
4) “Jehovah Shalom” (Judges 6:24)
5) “Jehovah Sabaoth”; “the LORD of hosts” (1 Samuel 1:3; Isaiah 6:1-3)
6) “Jehovah Tsidkenu”; “The LORD our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16)
7) “Jehovah Shammah”; “The LORD is there” (Ezekiel 48:35)

However, God revealed Himself to Moses as Jehovah, and explained to Moses, “I AM that I AM”:

“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? (14) And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:13-14)

Then, Jesus Himself revealed to the Pharisees:

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad… (58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:56, 58)

Therefore, David was saying Jesus was “The LORD.”

The What: “My Shepherd”

1) “Shepherd”

Read John 10:1-31; Jesus states He is “the good shepherd.”

Read Hebrews 13:20; Jesus is “that great shepherd of the sheep.”

Read 1 Peter 5:4; Jesus is “the chief Shepherd.”

Paul explains in Colossians 1:16, that Jesus is also the Creator of Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created…”

Therefore the Church’s Shepherd is Christ, Who is “Yahweh,” or “Jehovah,” of the Old Testament; the Messiah; even our Savior and our King. He and He alone is our Leader, Guide, Provider, and Protector. He alone is the Source of our Salvation.

Make no mistake – David knew that The LORD (Jesus Christ) was The Shepherd.

2) “My Shepherd”

When David used the possessive pronoun, “my,” David made the Shepherd/Sheep relationship personal.

David was saying, I don’t doubt that Christ is my Shepherd; I know (by experience) He is my Shepherd (or Savior). I have an internal witness that Christ lives in me, whereby I cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:14-16):

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:14-16)

How many professed Christians today know (by experience; by Regeneration and Conversion) that Christ is their Substitute, Sacrifice, and Savior? Many today allude to their own works to prove their Salvation. But the truth is found in the fruit that is borne on their branches. (See John 15:1-16; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 3:14-24; 4:7-21; John 14:15.)

Do you love God? Proven by obeying His Commandment; proven by the fruit borne; and proven by the love of the brethren?

Reader, can you say without a shadow of doubt:

I know Jesus Christ is my Shepherd. I know He is my Savior. I know I am redeemed from the penalty, punishment, and power of sin. I know once I was blind, and now I see; for I have a witness in my spirit by the indwelling Holy Spirit, that I am a son of God. (Hallelujah!)

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:14-16)

“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:5-6)

Yes, Christ is my All in all!

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” (Colossians 1:27)

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