Psalm 23-The Lord My Shepherd. Supplication through the Scriptures


Psalm 23

The Lord My Shepherd

The 23rd Psalm is perhaps the most well-known and beloved Psalm and for good reason. It is the assurance to the follower of Christ that we have a good Shepherd who is leading, guiding, protecting, and providing for each one of us in a personal way. We do not need to fear, even when we walk “through the valley of the shadow of death” for our Shepherd is even there leading us in the right paths He has ordained. He only leads us on necessary paths. 

In Hinds Feet In High Places, an allegory of the Christian life, the character Much Afraid has the seed of Love planted in her heart by the Shepherd, but almost immediately she is caught up in her fears and she feels very ashamed that she is again reverting to her old ways. “She did not dare look at the Shepherd, but had she done so she would have seen with what compassion he was regarding her. She did not realize that the Prince of Love is ‘of very tender compassions to them that are afraid.’” If she had looked at the Shepherd, she would have found His tender compassion ready to meet her in her fearfulness. Today, for those battling to trust the Lord in their current circumstance, let’s draw near to our Shepherd, who is “of very tender compassions to them that are afraid.”

The Good Shepherd

23:1-4 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. 
Heavenly Father, I praise You:
▫️for being my Shepherd, my Good Shepherd.
▫️that You have demonstrated Your love for me in that You sent Christ to be the propitiation for my sin, and He laid down His life for me.
Lord, I pray:
▫️I would not lack any good thing, but I would trust Your provision, and if You have withheld anything from me, I would trust that You have done so in Your wisdom.
▫️You would supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). What spiritual, physical, mental, or emotional needs do I need to entrust to the Lord?
▫️You would “lead me beside still waters,” giving me rest, quiet, and refreshment to my weary heart in Your presence and through Your Word and help me to truly desire to find my rest in You.
▫️You would restore my soul. Lord, when I feel that my faith is weak and failing, restore to me the joy of my salvation and the confidence in Your protection, provision, and supply. What circumstances are causing me to doubt the Lord? What truths can I set before me to battle my unbelief?
▫️You would lead me on the right paths. Let me not wander from Your commands. Help me to trust in You as You lead me in places that I cannot see the good right now.
▫️When the way is smooth, help me to remain close to You and not forget my need for You.
▫️May all of my life be lived for Your name’s sake.
▫️As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I would fear no evil, for You are with me. What am I fearful of today? What real or perceived evil is confronting me? Is the truth that the Lord is with me a comfort to me?
▫️Father, You would protect me from my enemies who would devour me, and You would keep me in Your ways and Your commands.

All the Days of My Life

23:5-6 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Lord, I pray:
▫️When my enemy is near, and I face life’s adversities, I would be able to see how You have abundantly blessed me in Christ.
▫️When it does not feel like my cup overflows, You would help me to put on a heart of gratitude and contentment. What can I be thankful for this morning? 
▫️You would give me eyes to see how You make my cup overflow. All my trials would be working for me a far greater eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 
▫️I would be able to look back on all the paths You have led me and see that Your goodness and Your lovingkindness have marked my blessings and my difficulties all the days of my life.
‭‭▫️Living in Your presence, in Your light, for all eternity would give me hope for today. You will cause me to dwell in Your house forever, and one day in Your court is better than a thousand elsewhere.

May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, Where’re I be,
Still tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s flowers bloom,
By waters calm, o’er troubled sea,
Still tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,  
Since tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When, by Thy grace, the victory’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Refrain:
He leadeth me, He leadeth me;
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be, 
For by His hand He leadeth me.

“He Leadeth Me” by Joseph H. Gilmore


Psalm 23 quoted from the ESV.
Photo credit to biegunwschodni

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