An Introduction to Psalm 23: Our Declaration of Dependence

Psalm 23 is one of the most beautiful and well-known passages of scripture, yet for many, its meaning has been confined to funerals and graveside services. This is because the psalm is often associated with the end of life. However, this ancient text is not just for life's end, but for every season we navigate through. Rather than a Declaration of Independence, Psalm 23 can become our Declaration of Dependence on God.

The keyword is "through." As we journey through this psalm, we will see that God is with us through everything—the easy and the hard, the pretty and the ugly, the high and the low. God is with us through it all.

Let's begin this journey through David's Declaration of Dependence.

God Is the Great Shepherd We Need

The entire psalm flows from this foundational declaration of trust: "The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need" (Psalm 23:1).

This is a declaration of complete dependence on our Great Shepherd, who provides for our every need regardless of our circumstances. It's helpful to see Psalm 23 in a larger context. It sits in the middle of a triad of psalms that point to Christ: Psalm 22, the Suffering Servant; Psalm 23, the Great Shepherd; and Psalm 24, the King.

This triad beautifully illustrates Christ's work for us:

• Psalm 22 points to the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep. Christ died for us (past).

• Psalm 23 speaks to the diligent care of the Great Shepherd. Christ lives for us (present).

• Psalm 24 reveals the Chief Shepherd, who will return for His sheep. Christ will come for us (future).

  
  

The description of God as a "shepherd" is a powerful one. A shepherd was a humble, low-status position. David, the author of this psalm, was a shepherd—the youngest and least of his brothers—before he became king. This reminds us that God, though mighty, comes down to our level, meeting us where we are. This declaration of trust shows that what we truly need isn't more "things" but a Shepherd who intimately cares for His sheep.

This psalm can be divided into two sections. Let’s first explore the leadership qualities of our Great Shepherd.

God Our Great Shepherd Provides the Leadership We Need

As we travel through life, we follow the guiding hand of our Shepherd.

He Leads Us to Places of Nourishment & Rest (23:2)

Sheep won't lie down if they're hungry or drink from fast-moving streams. They need a shepherd to guide them to safe, nourishing places.

• Nourishment: The "green pastures" are not barren wastelands. They are designed for nourishment, much like a tree planted by a stream in Psalm 1, which bears fruit and prospers. Think of the peaceful, joyful Shire from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings—a place of good food, rest, and cheer before a long journey.

• Rest: The "quiet waters" also offer rest. Shepherds would often dam up fast-moving streams to make sure the water was calm enough for their flock. Revelation 7:17 tells us that our Great Shepherd will one day guide us to "springs of the waters of life" in heaven. Lying down in these places indicates that the sheep are well-fed and prepared for the journey ahead. We need to be on the lookout for these seasons of rest and nourishment in our own lives and make the most of them.

  
  

He Leads Us Back to the Fold (23:3a)

The verb "renews" can also be translated as "refreshes" or "restores." This is a picture of the shepherd retrieving a stray or endangered lamb. When a sheep wanders off, the shepherd leaves the rest of the flock to find the lost one.

Jesus speaks of this joy in Matthew 18:12-14, saying that a shepherd rejoices more over one lost sheep that is found than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. Jesus is the Great Shepherd who humbled Himself, taking on human flesh to pursue and rescue us when we were far from Him.

If you feel you've wandered too far, or that shame and self-condemnation make restoration impossible, remember this: with God, all things are possible. Because of the cross, we don't have to live alone. There is more power in the sacrificial blood of Christ than in a lifetime of our sins. Trust in the Shepherd and be restored to the flock today.

He Leads Us in Righteousness for His Glory (23:3b)

The Shepherd leads His sheep on the right path, not just any path. He leads from the front, knowing where to go, because His very reputation—His "name's sake"—is at stake.

• He is with us through the hardships. We never have to worry about being left behind.

• The path is the right one. God has the full picture in mind. We need to remember that we are not all-knowing and trust that He is leading us where we need to go.

  
  

He Leads Us Through the Difficult & Dangerous Seasons (23:4)

In verse 4, the psalmist shifts from talking about the Shepherd to speaking to Him directly.

The "darkest valley" is a place where we feel threatened and surrounded by danger. But even here, we do not need to fear, because God is with us. This is where the sheep have to endure. Believers are not exempt from difficult journeys that require walking through the dark mud of this fallen world.

David himself knew the heartache of the darkest valley. He fled from King Saul, lived in the wilderness, and endured family rebellion. He knew he was never truly alone.

Sometimes, it's in these dark moments that we notice God the most. As C.S. Lewis wrote, "Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world." The darkest valleys rouse us to the might of our Great Shepherd.

He has several tools at His disposal to protect us along the way:

• The Rod: Used to fight off attacking animals. Jesus promises, "No one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28). He protects us from sin, death, and the devil.

• The Staff: A supporting tool used to guide individual sheep and to count the flock at night. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me" (John 10:14). He knows us intimately.

  
  

Now, we move from the leadership qualities of our Shepherd to His hospitable ones.

God Our Great Shepherd Provides the Hospitality We Need

After a long journey, the psalmist praises God for the comfort He provides.

He Protects Us

For sheep, there is no greater comfort than the security of the fold, watched over by the shepherd.

• The Table: The "table" refers to high, flat tablelands where a shepherd would prepare an area for the sheep to rest and eat. They would remove poisonous plants, clear hazards, and drive away predators.

• The Gate: The shepherd would build a stone wall around the sheep and sleep at the entry, becoming the "gate." This foreshadows Jesus, who said, "I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved" (John 10:9).

  
  

Even in the presence of enemies, our Shepherd protects us and helps us endure.

He Ministers to Our Needs

• He Treats Our Wounds: "You anoint my head with oil." At night, a shepherd would examine the flock, applying oil to their wounds and to keep insects away.

• He Provides Nourishment: "My cup overflows." A shepherd would bring a large cup of water for the thirsty sheep.

  
  

Even in a dark or barren place, God provides for His sheep.

He Gives Hope

The psalm ends with hope for both this life and the next.

• Hope in this life: "Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life." No matter the season, we can have hope that God will lead us through it for His glory.

• Hope in life after death: "And I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live." For believers, death is not the end; it is a homecoming. Jesus said, "In my Father’s house are many rooms… I am going to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). We have hope in a place prepared for us, a reason to see death not as a finality but as a return home.

  
  

Conclusion

As you reflect on Psalm 23 and Jesus as our Great Shepherd, how will you respond?

If you are a believer, perhaps today you need to declare your dependence on Him. Whether you are in the green pastures or the darkest valley, your season may change, but God doesn't. He remains our Shepherd, providing everything we truly need. The number one need in our life is Him.

If you are a sheep who feels lost and in need of restoration, what is keeping you from turning your life over to Jesus, the Shepherd?

The opportunity to respond is open. Will you move forward and trust your life to the Great Shepherd today?