Psalm 23 is the best-known psalm in the Bible: six verses by David, a former shepherd, about God as his shepherd.
Psalm 23 · King James Version
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
The Lord is a shepherd who provides, gives rest and restores your soul.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Even in the valley of the shadow of death, you are not alone.
The psalm walks through a day in the life of a sheep. Provision: “I shall not want.” Rest: green pastures and still waters. Restoration: “he restoreth my soul.” Guidance: paths of righteousness.
Then it goes into the dark: “the valley of the shadow of death.” Notice the shift from “he” to “thou” — in the valley, David stops talking about God and starts talking to Him: “for thou art with me.”
It ends at a table and a house: goodness and mercy following you, and a home with the Lord for ever. That arc is why it is read at funerals, in hospitals and by anyone walking through a hard season.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The peace Jesus gives does not depend on circumstances, so your heart can rest.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Waiting on the Lord renews strength: you will run and not be weary.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
God is a refuge and a very present help, right now, in this trouble.
That God cares for His people like a good shepherd: providing, giving rest, guiding, staying with them in danger and bringing them home.
David, who was a shepherd before he became king of Israel.
Because it speaks of God’s presence in “the valley of the shadow of death” and ends with dwelling in the house of the Lord for ever.