
David was forced to flee into the Judean wilderness with his family and servants, and for a period of time he was unable to reclaim his throne. In the fifteenth chapter of Second Samuel there is recorded the instance in David's life when his own son rebelled against him and toppled him from the throne. ( Psalm 23: A Psalm That Calms the Soul)ĭave Roper - We know something of the circumstances of its composition. Christians of all denominations are acquainted with this psalm. Jews, both Orthodox and Reformed, know this psalm. I am tempted to entitle these verses, “A Sheep Looks at his Shepherd in Psalm 23.” No portion in writing of any time or of any work has been so widely circulated. However as Keller points out, the vantage point of the psalm is from the perspective of the sheep, not that of the shepherd.

He writes from the background of growing up in East Africa and later making his living as a sheep rancher for about eight years. Phillip Keller has written a book on Psalm 23 entitled A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, which has many helpful insights. “The Lord is my shepherd-what more shall I want?”īob Deffinbaugh - Knowing David was a shepherd in his early years, we may be inclined to interpret this psalm from the perspective of the shepherd. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.Ī Psalm of David - Since these words were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2Pe 1:21 +), we do not have to guess who penned this psalm, the shepherd-king himself who was anointed (like sheep were in ancient times) king by Samuel in 1Sa 16:13 +, but then had to flee for his life for about the next 10 years as Saul sought to slaughter him (cf Ro 8:36 +)! And we think that we have problems!!! 31 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:30-32 + “For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek but your Father knows that you need these things. Matthew 6:33 + “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.


Psalm 84:11 + For the LORD God is a sun and shield The LORD gives grace and glory No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 10The young lions do lack and suffer hunger But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. Psalm 34:9-10 + O fear the LORD, you His saints For to those who fear Him there is no want. I shall: Ps 34:9-10 Ps 84:11 Mt 6:33 Lu 12:30-32 Ro 8:32 Php 4:19 Heb 13:5,6ġ Samuel 16:13 + Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.Psalm 23:1 (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. NOTE: The primary text utilized in Ps 23:1-6 below is the 1977 NAS as that is the version in which I originally memorized my Scriptures and I still like Thee and Thy and Thou.
