Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well known psalm. It is the classic description of God’s protection and provision of his people. Psalm 23 reminds the believer of God’s daily care for his people. The caring nature of God is not an isolated incident but rather an ongoing, ever-present phenomenon.

The main idea behind Ps 23 is God’s mighty acts of deliverance done on behalf of his people. It exalts God as the Deliverer of his people. The 23rd Psalm focuses on God as the One who comes to the rescue of those in need. Interestingly, Ps 23 recalls the story of the exodus. It praises God for delivering the nation of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians as a shepherd delivers sheep from danger.

The exodus imagery in Ps 23 is highlighted elsewhere in Scripture. For example, Ps 23 describes God as the shepherd of his people (23:1). Likewise, in Ps 77:20, which is a psalm that recalls the exodus event, reads: “You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Second, Ps 23 describes the contentment of God’s people as they allow their shepherd-God to provide for them (23:1). Similarly, in Deut 2:7, a passage that recalls the wilderness wanderings after the exodus, reads: “… These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” Third, Ps 23 expresses a lack of fear in the midst of trials and anguish (23:4). Along the same lines, upon entering the promise land, Moses repeatedly commanded the Israelites, “Do not be afraid” (Deut 20:1; 31:8). Fourth, Ps 23 describes God as the gracious host who prepares a table for his people (23:5). Likewise, in Ps 78:19 (another psalm that recalls the exodus-wilderness narrative) the writer expresses a rather naïve question asked by the Israelites during the wilderness event: “Can God spread a table in the desert?” The obvious answer is “yes!” given the rest of the story when God supplied manna, quail, and water in the wilderness. Fifth, Ps 23:6 speaks of the “goodness and mercy” that accompany God’s people as he leads them. Remember that God delivered Israel from Egypt and then invited them into covenant with him (Exod 24). And so, “goodness and mercy” (sometimes translated, “loving-kindness,” “compassion,” “graciousness”) are repeatedly used to refer to the covenant benefits received by God’s people as a result of being in a covenant with him (Exod 34:6; Deut 7:9). “Goodness and mercy” is covenant language. Finally, the believer “dwells in the house of the Lord” (23:6). This reference may recall Moses’ song immediately following the exodus where he praised God for his future dwelling with his people in the promised land (Exod 15:17).

Psalm 23 not only describes the daily provision of God for his people but also his mighty acts of deliverance on behalf of his people. The OT story of God’s deliverance is the exodus-wilderness event. In the case of the Christian the NT story of deliverance is the cross-resurrection event. Like a shepherd caring for his flock, God still provides and protects! God still leads his people by his mighty hand! God is still in the business of delivering his people!