Two fundamental elements of truth are brought vividly before us in this psalm: one, the amazing ingratitude and perversity of the human heart; the other, the character of the God with whom we have to do. We see that:
- God is the Almighty, the God who does wonders. Centuries pass without the more obvious intervention of God in human affairs, but on two outstanding occasions, God accredited his messengers by mighty miracles—when saving Israel from Egyptian slavery, and when sending His Son for our salvation. He enabled Moses to work “marvellous” miracles in Egypt which completely baffled the heathen magicians, and then miraculously made a way through the Red Sea, vv. 12, 13.
- God is a Generous Giver. In the desert He “caused waters to run down like rivers … the waters gushed out” and when food was needed He “rained down manna” and then “he rained flesh also upon them as dust”, quails so that His people were “well filled”, vv. 16-29. He gives liberally, upbraiding not.
- God is a Faithful Shepherd. It is striking that in the Scriptures mankind is often likened to a flock of sheep; “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way”, Isa. 53. 6. Sheep are defenceless, without the strength of the ox, the speed of the deer, the camouflage of the zebra, or the cunning of beasts of prey. So sheep need a shepherd. Robbers might threaten as well as wild beasts. In the mountainous land of Judaea were dangers for straying sheep. Human weakness calls for divine power: God “made his people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And he led them on safely, so that they feared not … So he fed (shepherded) them according to the integrity of his heart: and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands”, Psa. 78. 52, 53, 72.
- God is a Longsuffering Creator whether with Israel or mankind in general. “Many a time turned He his anger away”, v. 38. There is a limit to His patience as in the days of Noah, and we cannot sin with impunity, but His longsuffering is designed for our salvation, 2 Pet. 3. 9, 15.
The Lord Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep”, John 10. 11.
