Psalm 23 - My Shepherd

Last year on holidays we were in London and one of the places we visited was Downing Street. It is of course a very famous place, a place associated with history, power, momentous events and the seat of government. The news last night, and this morning, that the Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seriously ill in intensive care in hospital has come as upsetting news and a stark and shocking reminder of the seriousness of coronavirus. Much closer to home some have lost loved ones in recent days, others are becoming aware of people they know who are worryingly sick. Today we pray for the recovery of our Prime Minister and all battling this terrible virus.

Psalm 23, which we are reading today, is a Psalm written on the frontline. There is a solid steadiness when we slow down and read this well-known Psalm line by line. The opening metaphor ‘The LORD is my shepherd’ is a defining image of the Christian life, picked up by Jesus in John 10 vs 11, when He declared, ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’

This assurance that the LORD is his shepherd dominates how David looks at his life, now and in the days ahead. He anticipates provision, leading, refreshment, guidance (vs 1-3). David is also able to look ahead (something we tend not to do in frightening times) and firmly say that even if he walks through ‘the darkest valley’ he will fear no evil, because his shepherd will be with him, protecting, keeping, and comforting. These are deep promises that stretch out from where we are into eternity itself (vs 6).

I used to be one of those people who enjoyed watching the news. Now I don’t and I am watching less and less of it. But in this Psalm there really is solid good news, for all who will hear and respond to the call of Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10 vs 14-15).