Psalm 23- Doctrine of Christ

Let's break down Psalm 23 and look into the deeper meaning of the message and use some Hebrew words to make a connection.

“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. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely 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 Shepherd, the gate, or the Rock of Israel."  If God is Israel's Shepherd, then His followers are the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3). Note that the word "shepherd" is thought to derive from (re'a), meaning friend. We are His people.

 "I shall not lack," This means the Lord will see us and always provide. Since the Lord is our Shepherd, we will not lack His provision. God will see and fully understand our needs. With this hope, then in faith we must heed His voice and follow or come after Him.

“He maketh me to lie down” (Menuchah) means “rest”, quietness, symbolized here by a green pasture.  He leads us to "still" or "comforting" waters. He is the "God of all comfort" This image reminds us that He is a "God of peace." He leads us to baptism, where we may be claimed by Him. Fully immersed into death of the old way and unburdened by sin, we are raised up into newness of life to rest in Him. We lie down restfully in peace having received forgiveness and a promise of life.

 The word (yeshoveiv)"He restoreth" comes from (shuv), which means "to turn or return," and is the root of the word (teshuvah), meaning turning back to God through repentance.  As the Good Shepherd, He calls His sheep back to the right path, which is the strait and narrow one. On this path He leads us like sheep or cattle and we surrender to His voice. Ultimately, this turning of the soul is healing, and we find rest in Him.

Even though we might walk within a death-like valley, among the mists of darkness, God's sheep can say, "I will fear no evil," since the Lord is always present. We must be led by the Holy Spirit, filled with hope. Those who are truly His, can not be snatched out of His hands.

“He anoints us with oil,” having received a baptism of fire and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we follow His voice all our days. We have the abundant life, our “cup runs over.” 

“His goodness and mercy will follow us.” This is part of staying in relationship with Him and abiding in and with Him. We walk by the Spirit. The Good Shepherd's “rod” and staff comforts us and is reassuring, leading us to the waters of life or the tree of life, to be partakers of the fullness of His love, which is life everlasting. We will dwell in the “House of the Lord for ever.”

 Alma 5:38

“the good shepherd doth call you”

How do we respond to His call? What does following His voice look like in real everyday terms?

Kent

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