The Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) This is a popular psalm of comfort and security to many.

To fully understand the message of the song, it is essential to know the shepherd personally. And to know the setting of the song adds to the fulfillment of the symbolic message of the writer.

The writer of the 23rd psalm is David. It is written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The terminology is in the rural language of the day, dealing with subjects of the outdoors and the natural life of the nomadic shepherds and their sheep.

David refers to Jehovah, the Lord God of Israel, when he says, “My Shepherd.” When he was God incarnate among men, Jesus Christ declared himself, “I am the good shepherd.” But who is this Christ?
Most of the time, we view Him as too human and often too small. But it was He who was responsible for the creation of all things, both natural and supernatural.

Colossians 1:16 reads, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”

On his power and demonstration by the creation of the world, both natural and supernatural, he is the Lord and Shepherd of his pasture.

If we pause to reflect on his being, we too can say he is the shepherd. But the message of this song goes deeper than recognizing his greatness. It is to call him Lord. It is comparable to the relationship of the sheep to his shepherd. The sheep was totally dependent on the shepherd for his supplication. The shepherd had total authority and control and ownership of the sheep.

To place ourselves under the Lordship of this Good Shepherd, we must search for deep and penetrating questions. Who is this Lord? What are his credentials? Is he qualified to manage my life? And how do I come under his control?

In our search for answers, we often create our own shepherd from this world we live in. We create our own religion. It seems to suffice for the time being but will not sustain us in questions of eternal substance.

Matthew 7:21-23 tells us, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Jesus tells us in John 3:5-7, “Ye must be born again to enter the kingdom of God.” Being born again lets us come under his ownership and authority and management.