The Shepherd
OCTOBER 31, 2026
SCRIPTURE COLLECTION
Today's Scripture Passage
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-4
Related Scriptures:
Psalm 95:6–7
Psalm 100:3
Psalm 121:1–8
Isaiah 40:11
Ezekiel 34:11–16
John 10:11–18
John 10:27–29
Hebrews 13:20–21
1 Peter 2:25
1 Peter 5:4
Revelation 7:17
Notes & Reflections
My grandmother made me memorize this passage when I was young.
She was my Sunday school teacher at the time, and I remember how persistent she was that I make Bible memory a big part of my life. It wasn’t long before I realized that many other Christians had this passage memorized, too. It’s not hard to understand why, since it’s a very personal and comforting passage.
The first four verses speak about the Lord as a Shepherd. The Psalmist points to God’s care and how He provides, guides, and protects His people.
This Shepherd imagery is very common in the Psalms.
In Psalm 28:9 David says,
“Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
And then again in Psalm 80:1, Asaph says,
“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.”
The Psalmist is very aware of who takes care of him and the people around him. He says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
The reality of God being the source of all care also leads to the natural conclusion that there shall be no want. Indeed, after verse one, the Psalmist can’t help but clarify why his statements are true.
In verse two he says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” In other words, the Lord makes His sheep lie down on the green grass.
In Ezekiel 34:15, we hear God shed more light on this image when He says,
“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.”
God knows where His people need to rest. He knows where they have been, and He knows where they are headed. Notice that the sheep are “made to lie down.” His sheep have their wants met even when they don’t understand what they should, in that moment, want.
The Shepherd leads the sheep to the pasture, which implies the Shepherd knows where the pastures are in the sheep’s life. He knows how far apart the pastures will be. He knows when rest is safe. He knows when rest is necessary.
More than this, the Psalmist says, “He leads me beside still waters.” In the wilderness, sheep get thirsty and hot. They long for refreshment, and in those moments, the Shepherd knows where to go. He not only gives His sheep rest in the cool grass, but He also never lets them become so parched that they are left to despair. Thirst is expected, but in that expectation, the Shepherd is continually shown faithful from one watering place to the next.
Verse three says, “He restores my soul.” The sheep, through the wilderness, are continually cared for as they keep moving. They can be sure that their Shepherd has everything under control, that He will restore, refresh, and revive His sheep when it is time.
He leads them through the “paths” of their lives. He leads them in the way of righteousness and not in the way that will harm them spiritually. Their Shepherd does this because of who He is. His character and will are the very security for the sheep. He is their refuge, their strength, and even their light in the darkest of valleys.
The valley of the shadow of death. The place where the bad guys live. The place where robbers and wild beasts may attack. In these places of life, their Shepherd is with them. He is guiding them with His mighty right hand.
His rod drives off the wild beasts, and His staff guides the sheep and pulls them back when they wander, which is why the Psalmist says they comfort him. They don’t need to question if He might leave or abandon them, for He is always with them.
The Shepherd’s care is a great care. His leadership and guidance are perfect.
Some may argue and say that it seems as if His people are always wanting.
It seems as if they are always in need. Yet there’s a difference between being in want because you are out of resources and being in want in expectation of resources. There’s a difference between looking at an empty hand and a full hand.
For the Psalmist to say, “I shall not want,” is for him to say, “I am always cared for.” He will not be left or abandoned because his Shepherd’s hands are always full. He will always have someone to look to and someone who is guiding and caring for his every need.
This is not just true for him, but in Christ, it’s true for Christians today. It’s true for you. It’s true for me, whether things are going well as we rest on the green grass, or whether we are in the darkest valley of life.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
My grandmother wanted me to know this Shepherd, and I’m thankful she did.
The Shepherd of Psalm 23 is our Shepherd, and that is where we find our peace.
What does it mean that the Lord is my Shepherd?
It means that God Himself provides for His people, leads them in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake, restores their souls, and stays with them even in the valley of the shadow of death, and that in Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep, His people will never be left in want (Psalm 23:1–4; John 10:11; Philippians 4:19).
Study Questions
QUESTION 01
How does John 10:11 show that Jesus is the Shepherd of Psalm 23, and what did it cost Him to be that Shepherd?
QUESTION 02
What is the difference between being in want because you are out of resources and being in want while expecting resources from a Shepherd whose hands are full?
QUESTION 03
According to Psalm 23:2–3, what does the Shepherd do for His sheep, and why does verse 3 say He does it?
How To Cling Today
Cling to Christ today by knowing he is always with you!
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