Whilst this psalm is initially a song of Israel’s remnant, the eye of the singer being fixed on the earthly goal of “the house of the Lord, to length of days”, v. 6 marg., what a Christian heritage it has become, supplying us with heavenly prospects. The psalm has three stanzas:
- The Unchanging Care of the Ministering Shepherd, vv. 1-3. How busy we see Him to be in these verses, not just for the flock in general, but for each individual sheep. He never rests: He makes, leads, restores, guides. It is all action for them. He feeds and refreshes, and then He is seen restoring and guiding. With our Shepherd, it is always “grace” and “truth”; cf. John 1. 14. He makes us lie in the luscious pastures, demanding that we “chew the cud” after having eaten; then He leads beside the quiet waters. Does this suggest the work of the Holy Spirit to aid us after receiving spiritual food so as to obtain the greater benefit? Lying down is not mere rest, but occupation with the pasture received. His treatment of the sheep is good, since He is the Good Shepherd.
- The Unfailing Presence of the Attending Shepherd, vv. 4, 5. There are dangers, shadows and enemies along the way, but His rod and staff give comfort in the darkest hours. “Thou art with me” implies a continuously present boon, not just past history or future promise. Also, when enemies lurk, we still eat of His provision without fear, and it is a banquet indeed, prepared by Him personally, with heads anointed. The enemies look and long, but stand aloof. He can deal with the sheep’s enemies; see Mark 1. 13. Moreover, His provision and protection are always plenteous, Matt. 16. 9, 10.
- The Unending Shelter of the Hosting Shepherd, v. 6. The desert pathway will one day terminate, the temporary fold be left behind, for that road converges on our permanent home. This is no earthly bivouac, for there we shall dwell. On the desert track the Shepherd was with us, but there we shall be with Him. The desert way was good with Him near, but what will home be like? Sometimes we cry, how much longer is the path? Never fear, long or short, for He who leads provides faithful followers, and they are guaranteed.
The desert’s bleat is followed by home’s Hallelujahs.
