The Lord is My Shepherd

Posted on May 12, 2011

The Lord is My Shepherd, the Psalmist starts…

and we think to ourselves, oh yeah… I know this one.

“…I shall not, want…. he makes me lie down in green pastures… he restores my soul… something something for his namesake… shadow of death… yada yada… um…table… cup…”

Whether you know this passage by heart or not, we often miss the core.  The Lord is my Shepard.  I shall not want.

But is he?  Do you?

If we were sheep we wouldn’t be too bright.  We’d wander around in packs just because, we’d jump at the smallest thing and run away.  Another day we might be in danger and stubbornly sit there unwittingly remaining easy prey.  We’d eat and drink because it was in front of us, even if it will kill us.

But if we were lucky enough to have a good shepherd, we’d eat grass, drink out of a lake, our predators would be kept at bay by a boy with a crook and a slingshot.  We’d be well fed, quenched, and safe.  We’d be the happiest sheep in the world!

We are sheep.  There’s no if about it, but we do have a good shephard… so why do we want?

^1-3 God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

⁴ Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.

⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.