Psalm 23 – I Have All That I Need

April 5, 2024 Cathy

Psalms 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

One passage of the Bible that most people are familiar with is Psalms 23. Even people who don’t read the bible or care to hear about God have heard or even recited portions of this psalm. This is a comforting and encouraging passage. For a little history about the Psalms, please see the end of this post.

David is the author of many of the Psalms, and he is also known as one who played the harp, although the “harp” he played was not like a modern harp that might be used in an orchestra; rather, it was a small, handheld stringed instrument that today would be called a “lyre.” “Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play” Most modern translations use the word lyre instead of harp.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD.

This is a powerful statement because it’s one thing to acknowledge the Lord as a shepherd, but David knew the Lord as my shepherd. It’s only through a personal relationship with the Lord that we too can say the Lord is MY shepherd. It is a comfort to know the Lord is MY shepherd, that He is watching over me and protecting me.

I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED.

When we get frenzied or worry creeps in, we need to remember – we have been provided with all that we need. This is so amazing to know that God has provided EVERYTHING that we need.

The Hebrew word CHACER, was translated I shall not want. It was also translated as abated in Genesis 8:3: And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days, the waters were abated. It was translated as decreased in Genesis 8:5: And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.” Therefore, it is proper to say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not decrease.” Our God is a God of increase, not subtraction.

Psalm 34:9-10 Fear the Lord, you his godly people for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

Psalm 115:14 May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.

ps. more on the podcast

He lets me rest in green meadows.
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.
I will live in the house of the Lord

History

Many of the psalms were written during intensely personal and difficult situations and were a song or a poem used in private worship. They were eventually put into a collection that is used in public worship.

The word psalm comes from the Greek word psallein, which means “to pluck.” That word gave rise to psalmos, which means “a song sung to harp music.” (The strings on a harp are plucked, at least some of the time.) Finally, the English word psalm means “song” but usually refers to a sacred song regardless of what instrument it might be played on.

The book of Psalms is a book of songs that is sometimes called “Israel’s National Hymnbook.” The title of the book in Hebrew is Tehillim, which means “Praises.” It is a book of praises, but some of the psalms are written out of deep despair and questioning. It is a book of prayers containing the writers’ innermost questions and doubts as well as their praises and thanksgiving.

Psalm 23’s writing is not explicitly mentioned in the text, but it is often attributed to King David, who faced various challenges as a shepherd and later as a king, including battles, political struggles, and personal trials. David was a skilled poet and musician who had a deep understanding of the shepherd’s life, as he tended to sheep during his youth. The expressions used in the psalm reflect David’s experiences as a shepherd and king.