Psalm 23 (The LORD is my Shepherd)
Junior/Adult Level
Recently I saw an email with this Psalm in it. This Psalm by David is perhaps one of the most famous scriptures in the Word of GOD. I remember it’s one of the first chapters I ever learned as a child and will always remember. Sometimes we can read the words or say the words of scriptures but do we really stop to think just what they mean? Today we will do that. I went through GOD’S Word and found other scriptures to back up the scripture in Psalm 23. It’s an amazing and wonderful thing how these scriptures are all written by many different authors, some hundreds of years apart but all agree and speak truth because it is all inspired by GOD ALMIGHTY. It’s the most wonderful gift that we have!
Handout: Psalm 23 (The LORD is my Shepherd)
Ok, so let’s begin reading in Psalm 23 and break it down so that we can understand. I often think of David as a shepherd in the fields meditating upon The LORD and in training for leading GOD’S people Israel. One day he would be King, appointed by GOD and anointed by Samuel as King when he was just 17 years old. However, he would not sit on his throne until he was 30 years of age. He was in training and those fields with the sheep, was the beginning of that training. GOD wants to do things in our lives as well, but first there is a time of training and learning, so that we can do what GOD wants for us to do. Always remember that…we must first be faithful in the small things before we can become faithful in the bigger ones.
Psalm 23
The LORD is my Shepherd…That’s Relationship.
2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith The LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a FATHER unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith The LORD ALMIGHTY.”
Thank YOU LORD!
John 1:11-12 “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of GOD, they are the Sons of GOD.
I shall not want…That’s Supply
Philippians 4:19 “But my GOD shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Matthew 7:8-14 “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your childen, how much more shall your FATHER which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask HIM? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
HE Maketh Me To Lie Down In Green Pastures…That’s REST!
Matthew 11:28 “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Beloved, it’s necessary to rest at times, because we need strength for the mountains we must climb and the trials that we must face. This is why when GOD rested from HIS work in creating the world, HE did so on the Sabbath, not because HE was tired, but to be an example to us to take a day to just meditate upon HIM alone, yes we should do that everyday, but one day to just rest in HIS love to give us strength to keep moving forward.
HE Leadeth me beside the still waters – Refreshment
John 4:13-14 “Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
He Restoreth My soul – That’s Healing
1 Peter 2:20-25 “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffere for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with GOD. For even hereunto were ye called: because CHRIST also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to HIM that judgeth righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were Healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are not returned unto The Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
He Leadeth me in the Paths of Righteousness – That’s Guidance!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in The LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct thy paths.
John 10:2-3 “But He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear His voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Hikm: for they know His voice. And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”
Romans 2:4 “The goodness of GOD leads to repentance.”
For His Names sake – That’s Purpose
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of GOD, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that , when He shall appear, we shall be like HIM, for we shall see Him as He is.”
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death- that’s testing.
Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of GOD. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
If life’s mountains were smooth…we couldn’t climb them :O)
Thank GOD for the rough spots…They help us get higher!
What once looked like a mountain is just a hill, from Heaven’s point of view! We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength! (Philippians 4:13)
Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
I will fear no evil – That’s Protection
For THOU art with me – That’s Faithfulness
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded thee: do not be afraid neither be thou dismayed. For The LORD thy GOD is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD, He is GOD, The Faithful GOD, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.”
1 Corinthians 1:9 GOD is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His SON JESUS CHRIST our LORD!”
Thy rod and Thy Staff They comfort me. – That’s Discipline!
Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
Hebrews 12:8 “But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”
Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies – That’s Hope
Psalm 33:18-22 “Behold, the eye of The LORD is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine, our soul waiteth for The LORD: He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His Holy name. Let Thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we Hope in Thee.”
When you obey The LORD, in due time GOD will bless you…and your enemy the devil will be forced to watch! Praise THE LORD!!!
Thou annointest my head with oil – that’s Consecration/anointed/chosen
That means we are hated of the world…but so was JESUS!
John 15:19 “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
But it also means that everything GOD will work out for our good if we will love and trust and obey HIM! (Romans 8:28)
My cup runneth over; Surely Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – Blessing! Abundance
Psalm 36 “7-10 “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O GOD therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings, Thy shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with THEE is the fountain of life: in THY Light shall we see Light. O continue THY lovingkindness unto them that know THEE; and THY righteousness to the upright in heart.”
Psalm 112:1 Praise ye The LORD, Blessed is the man that feareth The LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments.”
Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose GOD is The LORD; and the people, whom HE hath chosen for His own inheritance.”
And I will dwell in The House of The LORD…Forever– That’s Security!
1 John 2:17 “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of GOD abideth for ever.”
John 3:16 “For GOD so loved the world, that He gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.!”
Dear Heavenly Father…
Thank You today for being our Shepherd and our strength, our courage, our rest, our provider, our comfort, our everything! Thank You that You are ALWAYS in control! I ask today that You bless all those reading this and that YOU let them feel Your love and power in a very special way. Thank You for loving us and for being so good to us. Bless each and every heart listening to this word and help us to ever grow in faith knowing that You will ALWAYS be with us and provide. We love You and praise You in JESUS name we pray. Amen.
~*Cindygirl*~
October 31, 2021