In this week’s column, we’ll be looking at the Psalms of David. There are 88 in total written by, for or about David. Some will be familiar yet others will be completely new to us. Some of these Psalms will speak clearly to us while others may be difficult to relate to because of the world we live in today.
One of the most popular of the psalms is the 23rd, beginning with the famous line 1. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” The theme of this psalm is the portrayal of God as a caring shepherd.
In the New Testament, we find Jesus known as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11 and the Chief Shepherd in 1Peter 5:4.
In describing the Lord God as his shepherd, David is recalling his own experience as a young shepherd boy who tended his own family’s sheep.
He knew the importance of being a shepherd; to guide, protect and care for the flock.
As we read the poetry of this well-known Psalm, it is understandable why it is often used in memorial and funeral services.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 NIV
This powerful verse states that He walks with us even as we face death! As believers in God, we need not fear because through him we can have eternal life.
God shows His comfort to us through this Psalm, whether it’s near the time of one’s death, during a time of healing or merely as a comfort to let us know that we can always count on Him. Even though the Psalms were written before the appearance of Christ, they still point us to the very God who sent Him.
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