Ron Writes
David said, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” “My” typically indicates possession. The grammar folks call words like “my” “possessive determiners”. If this is my book, then it belongs to me. I own it. However, it would be a big mistake to come to this conclusion in Ps. 23. In a very poetic way, David is saying I belong totally to God. We don’t read the Bible literally, but literarily.
David knew, perhaps better than most, that the lot in life of a sheep depended on which shepherd owned it. He’s clear, Yahweh owns me. He’s my shepherd. As a result, I have everything I need, I’m not in want.
The emphasis is on God. “He makes.” “He leads.” “He restores.” “He guides.” The presence of God that David feels is overwhelming.
In vs. 1-3, David talks about God, but in vs. 4-6, he speaks to God. “You are with me.” You “comfort me.” “You prepare.” “You have anointed.”
There’s an overwhelming response. “My cup overflows.” He has more than he needs. As long as he’s alive he knows for sure that he will only know goodness and lovingkindness. And when this life is over, it’s even better – “I will dwell in the house of the Yahweh forever.”
Psalm 23 grounds me. It’s not always “blue skies and rainbows.” Sometimes there are walks through “the valley of the shadow of death.” Sometimes, there are “enemies.” Sometimes, there’s the need for restoration. But through it all we can trust in God.
