The Good Shepherd Provides
Title:
Text:
Speaker:
The Good Shepherd Provides
Psalm 23
Darin Struble
Introduction
Psalm 80:1-3
Isaiah 43:15
2 Samuel 5:1-2
Psalm 23:1
"lack nothing" - haser (khaw-sehre’) = This is absolute. David declared that he lacked nothing essential for covenant life with YHVH!
This sentence shapes and colors the whole song.
Psalm 34:10
Philippians 4:19
The Good Shepherd (King) Provides...
1. Comfort - vs 2
"Makes me lie down" - yarbiseni (yar-bi-tseh’-nee). Sheep only lie down when: free from fear, free from friction, free from pests, free from hunger.
Psalm 23:2
Ezekiel 34:15
2 Corinthians 1:3
2. Rest - vs 2-3
"Green pastures" - surprising abundance. God provides more than expected.
"Still (quiet) waters" - Literally waters of rest and refreshment
Psalm 62:1
Matthew 11:28-30
"Restores my soul" - Revival, restoration
Psalm 19:7
1 Peter 5:10
___
God's rest completely restores the soul! This includes revival (return to vitality) and retrieval (bring back from wandering).
3. Guidance - vs 3
"right paths" - Hebrew literally means "paths that lead to the right destination". In this case, David talking about paths that lead to shalom (peace, rest, refreshment, restoration) under God's care.
Proverbs 3:5-6
John 10:3-4
"His name's sake" - God faithfully acts in line with His character.
Psalm 23:3
2 Timothy 2:13
Psalm 36:5
4. Protection - vs 4
"Rod" - (sebet: shevet was a short, heavy, club-like weapon) symbolizes protection, discipline, authority, and kingship.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
John 17:15
"Staff" - (Mish’-enet: literally something to lean on). Staffs were used for guiding, drawing close, and rescuing.
Isaiah 40:11
Ezekiel 34:12-13
___
David is saying YHVH is present, close, and attentive to both his enemies and his direction (path, walk). Therefore, he is comforted. His heart is settled because YHVH protects and guides in dark valleys where enemies hide and where danger is.
5. Victory - vs 5
"Prepare a table" - YHVH is now the "Host" in the song.
this is an ANE picture of hospitality (protection, honor, and covenant)
a place of threat (enemies) has been turned into a place of feasting.
this is a commitment of protection (Genesis 19 - Lot).
Colossians 2:15
Romans 8:31
6. Blessing - vs 5
"Anoint my head with oil" - This is hospitality anointing (not royal or priestly anointing).
For cleansing, healing, cooling, joy (greeting), and celebration
For a man who lived on the run and in battle, being "anointed with oil" signified God tending to David's wounds and restoring him.
Psalm 103:2-5
"My cup overflows" - Unrestrained, overflowing superabundance. In ANE banquets, an overflowing cup meant the host had no intention of ending the feast any time soon!
2 Corinthians 9:8
Ephesians 3:20
7. Fellowship - vs 6
"I will dwell in the house of the LORD"
David walked with God his whole life.
1 Kings 11:4
John 6:47
1 John 5:11
Psalm 37:23-24
David's fellowship with YHVH would continue forever.
Psalm 25:4-5
Psalm 16:9-11
The Good Shepherd Provides!
Psalm 23
The Good Shepherd Provides — “I shall not lack”
When you look at your life right now, where do you most clearly see God providing for you?
What makes it difficult to believe “I lack nothing essential”?
How could practicing gratitude help reshape the way you see God’s provision this week?
Comfort — “He makes me lie down”
What usually keeps you from resting—fear, conflict, stress, or inner restlessness?
Can you recall a specific time God gave you unexpected peace?
What is one thing you can thank God for today that reflects His desire for you to rest?
Rest — “Green pastures” (unexpected abundance)
Where has God surprised you with “green pastures” in seasons that felt barren?
How can gratitude help us stop interpreting God through our circumstances and instead interpret our circumstances through God?
What “green pasture” blessing can you thank Him for right now?
Rest — “Quiet waters”
What practices or rhythms lead you to the “quiet waters” of God’s presence?
Where do you most need refreshment from God this week?
What is one way you can intentionally thank Him for small moments of rest?
Rest — “He restores my soul”
When has God restored your soul—brought you back from wandering or revived you spiritually?
Why is it sometimes hard to receive God’s restoring grace with gratitude instead of guilt?
What’s one area of your life where you need His restoring work—and how can gratitude open your heart to it?
Guidance — “Paths of righteousness…for His name’s sake”
How has God guided you recently, even in small or subtle ways?
Do you tend to view guidance as something to fear, ignore, or be grateful for? Why?
What is one step of obedience you can thank God for helping you see more clearly?
Protection — “Your rod and Your staff comfort me”
Where do you see evidence that God has protected you—physically, emotionally, spiritually?
How do you typically respond to God’s correction: defensiveness, shame, or gratitude?
In what “valley” do you need to thank God for His nearness right now?
Victory — “You prepare a table before me”
What does it mean to you that God sets a table for you in the presence of your enemies or pressures?
How does gratitude help you focus more on the Host who welcomes you than on the enemies who surround you?
What situation in your life could be transformed by a posture of thankfulness?
Blessing — “You anoint my head…my cup overflows”
Where do you see signs of God “tending your wounds” or caring for you personally?
What overflowing blessings are you tempted to overlook?
How might regularly naming and thanking God for His daily blessings reshape your attitude?
Fellowship Forever — “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever”
How does the promise of eternal fellowship with God bring stability or hope to your current situation?
What are you most thankful for when you think about God’s presence—now or in eternity?
How could gratitude for your eternal future change the way you respond to today’s struggles?