God is My Shepherd

A Devotional in Old Testament Poetry

Today’s reading is out of Psalm 23:1-6. Begin todays’ devotion by reading this passage.

Another one of the types of writing we find in the Bible is poetry. How cool is it that God wanted to communicate to us in all different forms–including the power of poetry? Songs and poetry can speak to our hearts and souls in ways that other forms of communication can’t. The book of Psalms in the Old Testament is a beautiful collection of 150 songs/poems written by various authors (with the majority of them written by King David). What makes these so powerful is that the various Psalms express a really broad range of emotions and are so raw & honest before God. So no matter what emotion you’re currently experiencing, or how you’re feeling spiritually–there’s a Psalm for that! In the Psalm below, David compares God to a shepherd that provides care, protection, and guidance for his life.

Take a moment and reflect on the passage again and answer the questions below.

Psalm 23:1-6 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Reflect

  1. What are the different things we learn that God promises to do for David (and thus us!) throughout this Psalm? Which of these promises do you most need to lean into right now in your life?
  2. David writes the first half of this psalm from the perspective of “I’m a sheep, God is the Shepherd” and the second half as “I’m a servant, God is the King.” What do you get out of these metaphors about who God is and how He cares for us?
  3. In verse 4, we see that God doesn’t promise to keep us out of the “dark valleys” of life, but that He will be with us when we walk through them. How have you seen this already in your life? In what way(s) do you most experience God with you?

Act

Try reading Psalm 23 every morning to start your day this week and then meditate on the promises in it throughout the day. Look for ways throughout the week that God can “shepherd” you.

Pray

Lord God, thank you for being my Shepherd and my King. When I feel worn out, help me lie down in green pastures and find refreshment for my soul in You. When I feel scared of the dark valleys, help me walk through them with You, knowing that I’m never alone. Thank you that your love follows me all the days of my life–may I follow after you all my days, too. Amen.