Our Joys In The Shepherd
Feature 4 – May 2023 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Our Joys In The Shepherd
Recently some thoughts came to mind on Psalm 23, which have been a joy to me. Maybe they will be a blessing to you as well.
The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. —Psalm 23:1 KJV
“The LORD is my Shepherd” because He laid down His life, but now He is “alive forevermore” (Rev. 1:18). “I shall not want,” for He is abundant in life and gives “life more abundant and free.” 1 One smiles about the little child who was to recite this verse and could remember, “The LORD is my Shepherd” but couldn’t recall the second part of the verse. Then out came the words, “He’s all I want.”
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. —Psalm 23:2
Our Lord is an appointing Shepherd. I often think of Psalm 111:7, which says, “All His commandments are sure.” F. W. Grant, in the Numerical Bible, wrote as to this verse: “All His appointments are sure.” What personal and blessed quietness is found in Him, apart from the world’s turmoil.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. —Psalm 23:3
Our Shepherd is affectionate. He said to Peter, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted [restored], strengthen thy brethren” (Lk. 22:32). His paths are where His love is best known.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou are with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. —Psalm 23:4
Our Shepherd is assuring. We may call to mind words from a hymn written by Fanny Crosby (1820–1915): “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!” “Assured in faith we enter now Thy presence.” 2
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. —Psalm 23:5
Our Shepherd is an arranging Shepherd, who has prepared a table where we fellowship with Him while here as well as a place for us where He is (Jn. 14:3). He is the anointed Shepherd, and from Him flows “the oil of gladness” for the joy of our hearts (Heb. 1:9).
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. —Psalm 23:6
Our Lord is an abiding Shepherd. We delight in His goodness and mercy now and eagerly anticipate abiding in His presence and home forever: “Of Him and His love will we sing, His praises our tongues shall employ, till heavenly anthems we bring in yonder bright regions of joy.” 3
ENDNOTES
1. Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863–1961), “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”
2. Thomas Henry Reynolds (1830-1930), “O God, Thou Hast Engaged Our Hearts.”
3. Thomas Kelly (1769–1854), “We’ll Sing Of The Shepherd That Died.”
By Philip Pilon
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” (Ps. 23:5). There is quiet satisfaction and communion which the foes may look upon but in silence and without any ability to disturb it. “Thou anointest my head with oil” was done for the banquet, and “my cup runneth over” implies no element is lacking to make the joy complete (v.5). This is the anticipation of the eternal blessedness when there shall be enemies no longer. Already they are as if they were not. When any one has taken the place of host, he has by this fact accepted the role of protecting his guest. How precious and ample the assurance thus given by communion with the King of Kings! Having been anointed with the Spirit of God and sharing the fullness of the divine store with Him whose love has opened all its blessing to me, surely my cup will overflow! My lips and life will bear testimony to the grace that has done this for me. It is the pledge as well as the anticipation of the joy to come. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” —F. W. Grant (adapted from the Numerical Bible)