Psalm 23 is arguably the best known Psalm. Its author is David and he is sharing his testimony of the Lord¹s care for him. We note that David employs imagery to convey a point. The imagery is first, a shepherd¹s care for his flock, and second, a householder¹s care for his household. The point is that the Lord¹s care for his people is comprehensive now and forever. Because the Lord cares for his people they shall never suffer want (23:1).

We can understand why David used the imagery of a shepherd. He himself was a shepherd and in Psalm 23 much of the language he uses and the experiences he speaks of relate to the work of a shepherd.

The shepherd David speaks of is none other than Jesus Christ. David looked forward by faith to the coming of God¹s Shepherd. In the New Testament we see that Jesus is that Shepherd. He spoke of himself as the ³Good Shepherd² (John 10:11,14). He is referred to as the shepherd and chief shepherd by Peter (1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4) and as the great shepherd by the writer of Hebrews (13:20).

The shepherd makes his flock lie down in green pastures and leads them beside still waters. As a shepherd himself David understood the needs of his flock for water and peace, particularly after a hard day¹s travel. He could see the contentment of his flock when it had rest, food and water. So it is that the Good Shepherd cares for all the material and physical needs of his people. He will not allow his people to suffer want. They shall rest content in his care and provision.

The shepherd restores the soul of his people. He cares for the inner life of his people. Life can be fast and vicious and people can get hurt. We need rest and quiet - away from life¹s pressures. I would rather hear the tide at Mission Bay than the tyres on Dominion Road. Jesus is the one who gives us rest. He is our shepherd restoring our inner being.

The shepherd leads his people in the paths of righteousness. This refers to the way of salvation. It is Jesus who leads us into salvation. And he does this for his name¹s sake. Salvation is rooted in the eternal decrees of God. For his name¹s sake he saves his people and will keep them forever. All glory to him for the paths of righteousness which he leads his people into.

The shepherd is with his people at the time of death. Jesus stands with us at death so that we have nothing to fear. Note how David speaks of the shepherd¹s rod and staff being a comfort for him in death. The shepherd¹s rod was used to drive away anyone or anything that threatened the flock. So it is at death when Satan and his demons would seek to devour us and drag us into hell Jesus is there to drive them away. The shepherd¹s staff was used to guide his flock. At death Jesus will guide us into heaven. We have nothing to fear. His presence is guaranteed. He is with us.

In verse 5 and 6 David switches from the imagery of a shepherd to that of a householder or host. He moves from the field to the feast. His purpose remains the same, that is, to testify of the all-encompassing care of the Lord. Who is the householder or host? Is it not the one who taught us that in his father¹s house there are many mansions and that he is going to prepare a place for us? Is it not the one who said that if he goes to prepare a place for us he will come again and take us to his place that where he is there we shall be also? The householder is none other than the Lord Jesus.

The householder prepares a table for his guest in the presence of his guest¹s enemies. This speaks of the favour Jesus has for his people and how he vindicates them and exalts them in the presence of enemies. How precious that if we trust in the Lord Jesus he will vindicate us and exalt us in the presence of all who are against us.

The householder anoints the head of his guests. It was the customary thing for hosts to anoint the heads of guests. The host becomes a servant. So the Son of Man came as a servant to serve and not to be served. He gave his life a ransom for his people. Not only is the guest anointed, he is overcome with hospitality. His cup runs over. The people of God are received by the Lord into the heavenly family and the Lord himself pours out his favour upon them.

We see from Psalm 23 that the Lord¹s care is comprehensive for it extends to every stage of our lives, to every situation we face. The psalmist would have his readers share in the blessed knowledge that the Lord¹s care is all-encompassing. At every stage in our lives and in every experience of life the Lord is here.

Let us be like the psalmist and say that surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of lives. The Lord¹s care for us is not only comprehensive it is forever. Hence the psalmist concludes that he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Our conclusion is that Psalm 23 is all about the Lord¹s care being comprehensive now and forever. What a shepherd we have in Jesus! What a host we have in Jesus! Enter this day into this knowledge and experience the Lord¹s eternal care. Amen.

(Summary of Sermon by David Yan)