Psalm 23 Excerpt From Heart of a Psalmist

The outline is based upon an increasingly intimate relationship with God:

I MY SHEPHERD - ‘He’ Is My Shepherd (1-3) II MY LIFE - ‘You’ Are My Shepherd (4-6)

INTRODUCTION :

“ A Psalm of David ”

This is one of seventeen Psalms that bear this simple title without musical instruction or historical background.

I. MY SHEPHERD - ‘He’ is My Shepherd (1-3)

“ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”(1)

Jesus is the ultimate shepherd of our lives: “ I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me…(Jn. 10:14) Each member of the flock has the privilege of an intimate relationship with the Great Shepherd that no earthly shepherd can ever replace. God sees us as sheep, animals that are fear- ful, guided by herding instincts and at times very unreasonable. Sheep are totally dependent upon the care of their shepherd for provision and protection. Peter tells us: ”Once you were wandering like lost sheep. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian (Bishop) of your souls. ”(1 Pet. 2:25)

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures;”(2)

Jesus said: “ Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures.” (Jn. 10:9) Sheep will only lie down when they are free from fear of predators, free from friction among the flock, free from pests and parasites and free from hunger 1 . Then they will rest, chew their cud, produce milk and grow in strength and size. The