the lord is my shepherd

SEEING THE SERMONS IN OUR SONGS
“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD”
(PSALM 23)

Intro:
“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 names 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 presents 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 shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
With these words, millions of individuals have found comfort in times of trial, strength in times of weakness, and joy in times of sadness. David, in his role as King, provides for us a beautiful examination of God’s goodness and mercy.
Here in this beautiful work, we find three different songs being sung. These songs are written to three different types of sheep.
This evening, as we conclude our series on the sermons from our songs: we come to Psalm 23. In our songbook, we find this Psalm set to music on page 134. The words in the book, while close in nature to Psalm 23, were actually written in 1650 as a Scottish Psalter. The words were then put to music just over 200 years later in 1854.
Today, I want to invite you to join us, as we consider the words which David, by inspiration of God, wrote for us so long ago.

I. A SONG OF RENEWAL

The first of the three songs can be heard in the words of verses 1-3. “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 names sake.” For the purposes of this lesson, we will call this first, “A SONG OF RENEWAL.”
As noted in the introduction, each of these songs is written from a different perspective. This song of renewal comes from the point of view of a hard working shepherd, but is actually written to his weary sheep. The shepherd has so much in the way of responsibility. He must take care of, and provide for, the sheep in his flock. One small slip and they are off the path, and potentially in mortal danger.
However, in this case, we need not worry over the shepherd. As verse one reminds us, “THE LORD is my shepherd.” In this case, we can be certain that this lover of sheep will not fall asleep, nor will he allow his mind to wonder. After all, Hebrews 7: 25 reminds us that “he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” IF his sole purpose is to make intercession on our behalf, then we can rest easy knowing that he will do his job.
The real power of this song is in the message to the sheep.
Contrary to popular belief, the life of a sheep isn’t easy. The sheep which David is most likely referring to hear in this passage isn’t that WITH which you and I are most familiar. According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary: “The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs., but sometimes extending to 30 lbs. The tails are indeed huge masses of fat.” In other words, these sheep are frequently carrying a great deal of extra weight behind them. This would, by necessity, require them to rest more, or find nourishment to keep them going.
Let’s consider how this applies to us. Just as the sheep of Palestine are weighed down by the extra weight of their large tails, so we are often weighed down by the troubles of life. Jesus himself told us that life wouldn’t be a bed of roses. John 16: 33 states: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Tribulation will come. However, as both David as well as Jesus, point out: we needn’t worry, because the shepherd will renew our weary souls. Let’s take a closer look at what our shepherd will do to provide this renewal.
In Psalm 23: 2, David writes, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” The first thing which David says that our shepherd will give us to renew our spirit is “REST.” With the burden of heat, exercise, wool, and extra weight: the sheep of the Middle East would need rest.
Think about all the stresses witch you and I carry on a daily bases. For those of you who are parents, you bear the burden of your children. For those of you who are in the work force, you bear the burden of seeing that you accomplish your duties to the best of your ability. For those of you who are elderly, you bear the weight of regrets pasts, and mistakes made. Each and every day of our lives are filled with baggage. However, just as the shepherd offered to allow the sheep to “Lie down in green pastures”, so he offers to lighten our load today.
Peter encouraged us to, “Cast your cares upon him for he careth for you.” (1Pet 5:7) You have the chance to rest, your shepherd has seen to it.
Secondly, in order that we might find renewal, the Psalmist states that the shepherd will provide peace. In the case of the wondering sheep, it is peace from the wolves, bares, and foxes which often pursue them. For you and me, it is peace from the fears of life. Our fear for our kids, work, mistakes made, and troubles as of yet unknown. According to John 14: 27, we can have peace. There Jesus says: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” You can have peace; the savior has left it for you. In fact, according to Philippians 4: 7, we can have that peace of God which passes all understanding.
Thirdly, through the rest and peace which comes from the shepherd, we can have restoration. It is the restoration of our spirit. I often think of this in terms of a nap taken in the afternoon.
Think about the last time you had a hard day. You came home, you went to the couch, laid down, and the next thing you knew it was an hour or two later. As you stood up, you discovered that you felt better. The troubles of the day seem to have vanished away. The rest and peace which you enjoyed for those few minutes really helped you. That is what David is saying here in Psalm 23: 3. The shepherd is offering us a chance to catch our breath, and rest for a little while.
Finally, according to Psalm 23, our shepherd will provide us with guidance. I read a story this past week about a man who was speaking with a shepherd. The man wanted to know more about the way in which a sheep follows his shepherd. He stated that he had been told that sheep would follow the sound of the shepherd’s voice. The shepherd then explained that this was indeed true. However, he also pointed out that the only situation in which a sheep will not follow the sound of the shepherd’s voice is when the sheep is sick.
Brethren, you and I, much like those sheep, tend to forget the sound of the shepherd’s voice when we are sick. When sin creeps in, we lose sight of the need to follow him. However, the amazing thing is that our shepherd has provided a cure. Psalm 119: 105 describes this cure. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” You see, God has given us his word that we might follow that which he would have us to do. When we become lost in the sickness that is sin, the word of the Lord can and will guide us back to his paths of righteousness!

II. A SONG OF REASSUREANCE

When you conduct a careful study about sheep, you learn one thing fairly quickly. You will learn that sheep are defenseless. They are not like rams, goats, or even cows for that matter. They have no means of defending themselves, which often will lead to a certain amount of nervousness on their part. Shepherds are aware of this fact, and seek to comfort their flock by their presents.
Now, think about you and me. What about the nervousness, which you feel on a day-to-day bases? What about those moments when you consider the direction in which our country is heading, and you become nervous? What about those times when you contemplate the way in which God is slowly being removed from every aspect of society, and you become nervous. What about the thoughts which haunt you in the night concerning your children, grandchildren, brother's and sister's, nieces and nephews?
Here in Psalm 23: 4-5, we find the second of the three songs. This particular song might be entitled a song of reassurance. It is written to the sheep of the shepherds flock who have grown nervous. Beginning in verse 4, our great shepherd seeks to offer the comfort which only he can provide, that he might assuage our nervousness. Notice with me what the word of the Lord has to say. "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 presents of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." (Psalm 23: 4-5)
First, notice that he is with us as we face the certainty of death. As we all know, death is in our future. Hebrews 9: 28 informs us: “For as it is APPOINTED unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” The key word in this passage is “APPOINTED.” This is an appointment which has already been made for us. Romans 5: 12 reminded us that the reality of death has been with mankind from the moment in which God handed down his punishment to Adam and Eve in the Garden.
Despite the grim prospect of death, David shows us the bright side. “Yes, I walk toward death, but I’m not afraid, because I know that you are with me.”
Now, why is it that the mere presents of the shepherd should comfort us as sheep? According to David, it is owing to the fact that the shepherd’s “rod” and his “staff” provide comfort.
The comfort which comes from the rod and the staff is in knowing that the shepherd is there to protect. You must understand that as shepherds moved their sheep from pasture to pasture, the journey was often difficult and sometimes dangerous. The shepherd would use his rod or staff to guide and protect his sheep. The good news is that the Lord continues to walk with, and protect, you and me today. After all, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (Second Timothy 3: 16-17) All that we need to know in order to navigate this lonesome valley has been given to us. God has provided a rod and staff which is formed from the very breath of his being!
However, I want you to notice that it isn’t just death which is to be found in this valley. No, it is also the threat of our enemies which the shepherd seeks to sooth. How does he do it? He accomplishes this task by preparing for us a table. Not only does he prepare us a table, but he does so in the presents of our enemies.
There is something to consider as we think about this meal. If the Lord is our shepherd, and he wants us to be at peace even in the presents of our enemies: then we can be certain that he has already followed his own advice. For example, think about the words he used as he was placed upon the cross. In Luke 23: 34, we read, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Here Jesus was in the midst of his enemies. Not just any ordinary enemies, but those that sought to kill him. Yet, in spite of this, Christ manages to maintain his composure. He retains his dignity. How does he do it? He does it by understanding that come what may, he can place his soul in the hands of a God who will treasure it forever! (Luke 23: 46)
However, notice that he doesn’t simply offer empathy, but he offers great blessings in the face of difficult times.
“Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” This idea of anointing has long been a source of debate. In scripture, we see that priests, kings, prophets, objects of war, and the sick and or wounded and dead were all at one time or another anointed.
There was another reason for anointing, which is in fact practiced still today. It was hospitality. When a friend entered your home, you anointed him. (Luke 7: 46) The bottom line is that David is saying that we are in the presents of God, and he has anointed us, and thereby let us know that we are welcome!
Not only are we welcome, but notice that David says we are blessed. “My cup runneth over.” Here David sets, in the presents of his enemies, at their very table in fact, and yet he states that his cup is over flowing. Brethren that is a message which you and I need to take to heart. Yes, we have hard times. Yes, there are moments when the sun doesn’t seem to shine. Yes, there are those who have great material wealth. However, you and I as the sheep of God’s pasture are blessed beyond all of them. We have been given gifts which cannot be stolen, burned, or corrupted! (Matthew 6: 19-20)
God has indeed reassured his sheep. With his presents, his empathy, his friendship, and his blessings!

III. A SONG OF REWARD

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” What a beautiful end to these six verses. Here the shepherd speaks to those faithful members of the flock, and reminds them of what is to come at the end of the journey. The physical reward of a home in Heaven with God is obvious; however, the immediate rewards aren’t quite as apparent.
There is a certain sense of confidence with which the sheep can now live life. Notice the words which David wrote in verse 6. “SURELY goodness and mercy SHALL follow me all the days of my life: and I WILL DWELL in the house of the Lord forever.” Did you hear it? David is speaking with authority and confidence. He knows to whom he belongs, and what the reward for true service will be!
The good news for you and I is that we to can live with this same confidence. God’s word promises us that for the faithful servant, there can be this same confidence.
In First John 5: 13-20 we are given a list of things which we can know, and be confident in. We can know where we stand with God. (13, 19) We can know, with confidence, that he hears our prayers and supplications. (14) We can know that he has given us all that we truly need. (15) We can confidently ask for strength for one another. (16) We can be confident that Satan will be unable to touch the faithful child of God. (18) And yes, we can be confident that God’s only begotten son did indeed come to this world! (20) It is this which gives us confidence. It is this which will allow us to say, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”
God has so richly blessed us with this wonderful psalm. It uplifts, encourages, inspires, but it also forces us to examine. In the end, will you be able to say that you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever? If not, then what are you waiting on?
Maybe at one time, you were a sheep in God’s flock, but you have lost your way. You want to come back, but you are unsure as to whether or not you can come back. TO you, Christ says, “Come!” He has given you a song to renew and reassure you: won’t you come back? He has given us a song to remind us of the wonderful reward which awaits us. Will you receive that reward at the end of your days? Only you and God know. If we can help, please come now as the invitation is now yours.