Psalm 23 has been labeled the “Pearl of the Psalms.” This wonderful psalm has the aroma of continuous peace, secure tranquility, jubilant trust, and assured calm. Not even the shadow of death troubles the psalmist. Psalm 23 has dried many tears and supplied much hope.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The opening verse of the twenty third Psalm is a profound commitment to the Lord as the source of security in the midst of many dangers without any other assistance. Without hesitation, sheep confidently follow the shepherd, knowing with him leading all will be well. The Christian’s pilgrimage isn’t quite like the lamb of the Ancient Near East, but our pilgrimage is met with dangers. Disease, poverty, fear, violence, and uncertainty can meet us in this day and age. Our trust, however, remains in the Good Shepherd.
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” A dog can be trained to sit and to lie down. That’s not the case with sheep. No one can make a sheep lie down. Sheep will only lie down when they have had plenty to eat, have quenched their thirst and are not threatened by any wild animal or disturbed by irritating insects. The barking of a dog can cause an entire flock to jump up and run off if not stopped by an alert shepherd. In essence sheep will only rest when they know the shepherd has led them faithfully.
Sheep have a tendency to wander off from their shepherd. Now, this is a very important part of the chapter. Our English translations do not translate this phrase, “He restoreth my soul” very well. Often we use this verse to soothe people’s wearied mind and soul. It’s used as a salve for the depressed and oppressed. However, this is not exactly the correct usage or translation. Keeping in mind this is the Shepherd and the lamb.
I asked a Lebanese friend to send me the translation of his Arabic Bible of verse three. His Arabic Bible and the Hebrew translation are the same. The correct translation is, “He brings back.”
The literal translation “he brings me back” makes clear that the sheep is lost and the good shepherd is obliged to go after it, find it and carry it back. Shepherds in Lebanon, and in the Holy Land have said that once a sheep knows that it is lost, it tries to hide under a bush or rock and begins quivering and bleating. The shepherd must locate it quickly lest it be heard and killed by a wild animal. On being found it is usually too traumatized to walk and must be carried back to the flock or to the village.
Sheep have a special problem. They have no defenses. Cats have teeth, claws and speed. Likewise, dogs have teeth and speed. Horses can kick, bite and run. Bears can claw, bite and crush. Deer can run. But sheep have no serious bite, neither have they claws, nor can they outrun any serious predator. They can butt heads with other sheep, but that ability will not protect them from a wolf or a bear. The sheep’s only security is the shepherd.
We are like sheep, beloved, that have a tendency to stray or wander. It seems to be in our nature. The picture here can be one of a lost sinner, or a Christian that has gotten away from God. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is looking for any lost sheep. You may have wandered off and can’t find your way back. The Good Shepherd is looking for you to bring you back.