Read Psalm 23
One of the most well known and most recited of David's psalms would have to be Psalm 23 - his Shepherd's Psalm. It has been put to music in hymns, modern songs and even children's ditties. Poets have also placed their own personal interpretations on the comforting, strengthening words of this psalm.
But what about David? Why did he - a shepherd himself, and a king - write this psalm to His Lord, HIS SHEPHERD? I believe it was because: David:
* David knew that the Lord, His Shepherd CARED for him.
* David knew how important it was to TAKE QUIET TIME out each day to be with his His Shepherd.
* David knew that when he was lost and had gone astray, it was His Shepherd who would FIND HIM and BRING HIM BACK to the right path.
* David knew that even in the darkest valleys of his life, The Lord, his Shepherd would ALWAYS BE CLOSE TO HIM.
* David knew it was only in his Shepherd that he could TRUST to take care of every physical and spiritual need in his life
* David knew that he would be SPENDING ETERNITY with his Lord - his Shepherd, so he had confidence and peace, in life and death.
Do you know these same things? Do you have this same confidence, peace and trust? I hope this psalm is for you, like me, not just another recitation, song or poem; but is truly, like David, a promise that you can take with you each day and keep on your heart.
1. Is Psalm 23 one of your favourite psalms or just something you have learnt at School or Sunday School? Would you like to share about how this psalm has helped you?
THE SHEPHERD CARES - Read Psalm 1:1
David himself had been a shepherd so he knew what it meant to care for sheep. He knew the tender feelings a shepherd has for his sheep. He knew how much his sheep needed their shepherd, so in boldness, this was how he was able to speak about His Lord .
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need." Psalm 23:1 (NLT)Isaiah spoke of a caring, nurturing Shepherd, the same Lord that David spoke of.
"Like a Shepherd, He will care for His flock, gathering the lambs in His arms, hugging them as He carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture." Isaiah 40:11 (The Message)
Later in the New Testament, Jesus identifies Himself as this same `Good Shepherd'.
"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd who puts the sheep before Himself, sacrificing Himself." John 10:11 (The Message)
2. What adjectives best describe Jesus, the Lord and Shepherd in your life?
SPENDING TIME WITH THE SHEPHERD
Read Psalm 23:2&3
Francis Rous was born in 1581 to a godly father and mother. Brought up in East Cornwall, he believed, like David that it was necessary to spend quiet time each day in the presence of his Lord and Shepherd. Francis immersed himself in the Word of God and the writings of the early church fathers.
As a `Calvanist Conformist' he believed in salvation through forgiveness of sins and acceptance of Jesus as his saviour. As a member of parliament he strived for unity in the churches during the Scottish Reformation.
In 1650 Francis Rous contributed to the first metrical (hymn) version of Psalm 23, put together in what is called the Scottish Psalter. There are a number of different versions, but I like this original one:
The Lord's my Shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie.
In pastures green, He leads by streams
The quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again
And me to walk doth make.
On in the paths of righteousness E'en for His own name's sake.
(Francis Rous)
3. Why do you find it important to spend quiet time with the Lord each day?
TRUSTING THE SHEPHERD
Read Psalm 23:3-5
We can trust our Shepherd, just as David did.
* To GUIDE US along those paths of righteousness, when we might be led astray. God wants to lead his sheep away from the `dirt and filth' into a godly, righteous life, instructing us to live by His Word. We know there was a time in David's life when he needed his spiritual mentor Nathan, to bring him words from the Lord, and to bring him to his knees and back in right standing with Lord, his Shepherd. The same may be true in our own lives and our Shepherd is waiting for us to take His hand and guide us back to Him.
* To LEAD US through those dark valleys when we feel alone and afraid. He not only LEADS, but he TAKES US THROUGH. He is right there WITH US. His presence gives us strength and encouragement for each day, until we come out of the valley and can see the light ahead.
* To GIVE US all we need for every day life, for both our body and soul. We need our physical hunger and thirst satisfied, but we also need our spiritual desires met, and our Shepherd knows exactly what we need. All we need to do is TRUST HIM.
4. Have you had an experience when you have needed to totally trust the Lord, your Shepherd to GUIDE AND LEAD you?
5. As human beings we naturally like to be in `control' of our lives, but we need to learn to trust the Lord in every area of our lives. It is easy to say, but not always easy to do. Is there an area of your life that you still need to trust God more?
SPENDING ETERNITY WITH MY SHEPHERD
Read Psalm 23:6
A number of years ago, while at a Christmas service, I received the news that my older sister had died. Being Christmas, I wasn't really sure what I was going to say at her funeral. But the night before I awoke with a vision - it was of my mother (s), my father, sisters, my babies, all in Heaven celebrating Christmas with their Shepherd - their Lord Jesus Christ. I cried at first, as I actually felt a little left out - but then I smiled! What a wonderful time they would be having.
David looked forward to the day when he would be spending eternity with his Lord, a time when there would be `no more crying, no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain.' He would be in the presence of His Shepherd always. What a wonderful eternity we have to look forward to too.
Until then though, we have the Lord's unfailing love, goodness and mercy surrounding us.
5. Are you looking forward to the day when you can spend eternity with the Lord? What about now - do you know the Lord's unfailing love, goodness and mercy?
CONCLUSION
Aunty Dorothy (as we called her) was my special Nanny, just after my Mum died. She loved to write just like me. My first book was dedicated to her and included her works - one day I intend to have it published. She had a wonderful faith - she knew her Shepherd's unfailing love, goodness and mercy, and in her last days couldn't wait to meet Him in Heaven. She would have been celebrating at Christmas too. She wrote this poem and although I wasn't able to be there, I believe it was read at her funeral.
THE SHEPHERD'S PSALM
Horizons were cloudy, cold and dreary, wintry with sleet and rain,
And it seemed that the golden sun of joy, never would shine again.
But through the gloom came a vision bright, out of the storm came calm -
Verses learned at my mother's knee, from the dear old Shepherd's psalm.
`THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT'
(Ah, wonderful words of cheer)
`HE LEADETH ME IN PATHS THAT ARE RIGHT'
(Why should I doubt or fear?)
Through fearsome gloom, the darkest vale, through pastures green and sweet,
He comforts, sustains and helps His own, guiding our faltering feet.
So now I sing, though skies are grey and trust through storm and strife.
`FOR GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME
ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE'
When I enter those golden gates and ties of earth shall sever
He promised then, that even I, `SHALL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
FOREVER'.
Dorothy Gaunson
`The Bible, New Live Translation' (1996) Tyndale House Publishers
`The Message' (2002) Eugene Peterson, NavPress
"Biography of Francis Rous" , Spiritual Songsters, Stem Publishers.
New Matthew Henry Commentary, Edited By Matthew H Manser.
"In the Palm of His Hand" - Ruth Cheater & Dorothy Gaunson.
"The Lord is My Shepherd" - Stuart Townend (You Tube)
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