Psalm 23
A timeless word
The Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
David wrote Psalm 23 under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “The LORD is my shepherd.” Yahweh, the Great I Am is the shepherd of His people. David echoed Exodus 3:14. The Great “I Am” appeared to Moses in the burning bush. Moses asked God for His name. God told Moses that He is who He is, literally, “I am who I am”. In other words, God declared that He is the eternal being. God’s name “LORD” is declarative of His covenantal faithfulness. The Hebrews held God’s personal name in such regard that they did not speak His name. God revealed His name using the Hebrew verb “to be”. All being, all existence proceeds from the only one who has being, existence in Himself. God is the source of all being. As the late Dr. R.C. Sproul once said, “Men are not human beings, but human becomings”. We are constantly in the process of change. Whereas God is unchanging, immutable. From the time we are born we age. As we age we are maturing. God, however, never changes. He is! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
So, when David made the declaration that “The LORD is my shepherd” he was stating that He was cared for and guided by the One who alone has eternal being. His declaration was made to the absolute highest and greatest being. King David addressed the eternal One as his Shepherd. As such he was declaring intimacy with the Father.
King David knew the LORD. The one who led him, cared for him, and provided for his needs was the Great “I Am”. As we look at this psalm, we who know the LORD can also state with David the care and providence of God for us. The Gospel of John recorded the “I Am “sayings of Jesus. John 10:11 recorded the identity of the Shepherd of whom David wrote. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.”
The Apostle Paul wrote these words about Jesus who is the Great “I Am”. “He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him… For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:15-19). The fullness of God was revealed in Jesus who is eternally begotten (not born) from the Father.
David wrote Psalm 23 more than 3,000 years ago. Yet those who profess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead have the Great “I Am” as their Shepherd. King David looked forward to the person and work of Christ. We who trust in Jesus look back at He who said, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
God’s faithfulness revealed in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is for all, both for salvation and judgment. Believers say with King David” The LORD is my Shepherd. Therefore, I trust that the LORD will meet my needs. Because He is my Shepherd, “I shall not want.”
Jesus said do not worry about the needs of life. He said the Father knows your needs and will provide what you need.
Confidence in God’s providence applies to everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus! Those who call upon the name of Jesus are those who rely on and trust in the person and work of Christ every day.
The object of saving faith is the Jesus revealed in the Bible. He is the God-Man. He is God in the flesh. He is not a created being. He is not the Jesus of another testament, book, or philosophy. He is not just a prophet. He is fully God and fully Man. This is the Jesus who promised God’s providence.
There are two aspects of life in Christ to which David pointed in Psalm 23:1. They are guidance and provision. The Good Shepherd — Jesus — guides and provides for His people. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. Jesus said that He knows His sheep, and He calls them by name (John 10:3-14).
Those who hear Jesus through His word follow Him and therefore, belong to Him. He provides your needs. You shall not want! You “shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
