Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

II MY LIFE - ‘You’ Are My Shepherd – (4-6)

“ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me;”(4)

Something marvelous takes place at this critical moment in both the lives of the shepherd and the sheep. As they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the impersonal pronoun ‘He’ becomes the more personal pronoun ‘You’ that continues throughout the psalm. The Shepherd grows closer in the darkest, deathly moments of life and fear is eliminated by his presence. This darkness is described as ‘the court of death…the most fearful darkness, as of Hades…as the shaft of a mine’ 3 . An even more amazing event takes place; it is the shepherd who dies in the valley of the shadow of death and the sheep passes on to receive the blessings in the remainder of the psalm. Jesus showed us a love beyond all loves: “ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming.”(Jn. 10:11) Death is a shadow because our shepherd laid down his life in the valley. He did not run when the murderous wolf attacked the sheep but he gave his life for us. “ Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world.”(Heb. 2:9)

“ Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”(4)

The rod is for the protection of the sheep and is an offensive weapon whereas the staff is for guid- ing and restoring the flock. Moses’ rod became the symbol of God’s power by which he delivered them from Egypt and defended them in their battles in the wilderness. “ But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it.”(Exodus 14:15)

“ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;”(5)

This literally happened to David as he fled from the armies of his rebellious son Absalom: “ When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobi …They brought him sleeping mats, cook- ing pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey butter, sheep, and cheese for David and those who were with him. For they said, ‘You must all be very tired and hungry and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.’”(2 Sam. 17:27-29) God has provided a table for us as we journey to our heavenly home, it is the Lord’s Supper that we do in remembrance of him.

“ You anoint my head with oil;”(5)

Because Jesus our shepherd laid down his life for us we can receive the daily refreshing oil of the Holy Spirit. Philip Keller explains the ‘anointing’ in a very practical way: “I always preferred to use a homemade remedy composed of linseed oil, sulphur and tar which was smeared over the sheep’s nose and head as a protection against nose flies” 4 . The anointing of the sheep’s head was also to prevent the spread of ‘scab’ a highly contagious disease among flocks. The oil of the Spirit is spiritual and prac- tical, enabling us to live a more abundant life.

“ My cup runs over.” (5)

Because Jesus drank the cup of suffering and death we can now drink the cup of communion and receive the benefits of salvation: “ When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the benefits of the blood of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16)

“ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;”(6)

Goodness and mercy are like twin shepherd ‘dogs’ used by the Shepherd to help guard and guide his flock. Spurgeon says of this passage: “These twin guardian angels will always be with me at my back and my beck…’goodness’ supplies our needs, and ‘mercy’ blots out our sins” 5 Our shepherd came to give us quality of life: “ My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd.” (Jn. 10:10- 11)

“ And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”(6)

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