Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd

This Christmas season is good for us as Christians to refocus on our relationship with God. It is said that how you view God affect your relationship with Him. If you view Him as a severe judge, you will interpret your problems as God’s judgement rather than an opportunity to experience His tender love and care in moment of troubles.

Psalm 23 undoubtedly is the most famous psalm. We do not know when David wrote it but it was at a time when his son Absalom who tried to become king, pursued after him. He went to a place called Gilead. There he met Barzillai, a shepherd who kept sheep. Barzillai gave David food and shelter. In this psalm, he described his relationship to God using the imagery of the shepherd and his sheep.

God is depicted as a good shepherd who gives tender care, feed and sustain one’s soul. He goes ahead of His sheep, lead them from one good pasture to another. The rod resembles correction and guidance, not to hurt but to direct the sheep back into the right paths. Shepherd is the only profession in this world that uses the staff which is actually a slender pole with a little crook on the end. He uses it to reach out and prod back the sheep in the right direction. Jesus says He is a good shepherd who protects His sheep and lays down his life for them. He is no hired hand who flees when the wolf approaches. Shepherding is not an occupation to look upon with favour. In fact it is a job to be avoided as the work is dirty and hours are long.

Those who belonged to Him are like sheep leading to still water. Still water symbolises quiet waters of spiritual refreshment through His Word as compared to murky pools of the World. The sheep are dumb, dirty and defenceless animals (have you seen them been trained for animal shows?). They are easily go astray and follow their self-determined ways (aren’t we like them?). They do not need to fear evil as the good shepherd is with them, not even death which may appear as a dark valley. The anointing of oil on the heads of His sheep symbolises Him as a generous host, giving His flock comfort, assurance in time of distress. Sheep that are fully satisfied, and at home, will have no desire to part with their shepherd.