Psalms 23:1-6
The good Shepherd has given His life for His sheep (Psalms 22:1-31; John 10:11). Now He goes before them. He feeds them tenderly; they lack nothing since He is there, responsible for them. The sheep, those weak, dependent creatures which are a picture of us, have the daily experience of the Shepherd’s care (Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 49:10). Plain gratitude declares: I have lacked nothing (Luke 22:35), but faith affirms: I shall lack nothing (at least nothing that is necessary for my soul; thus it is my soul is restored — v. 3).
The Lord Jesus leads me beside the still waters, but also in the paths of righteousness; He owes it to His own Name.
From v. 4 onwards, the sheep speaks directly to Him, "Thou art with me . .". In this company, even the valley of the shadow of death is no longer frightening. The good Shepherd’s rod and staff comfort me. He will protect me from all dangers, even from my own straying. I can, without being afraid of the presence of mighty enemies, sit down at the royal table; here my place has been prepared, not for an occasional invitation, but for all the days of my life (cf. 2 Samuel 9:13). That place is in the house of the God of goodness and mercy — my Father — in which I now dwell by faith, whilst waiting to live there in reality for ever.