A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.[b] He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:1-3. NRSV).
The image of a shepherd in the Bible can easily be misunderstood. We have polished it up some, referring to pastors and other religious and moral leaders as shepherds. Shepherding, as the vocation in Bible times, was often at the bottom of the social strata. Yet, scholars tell us that rulers of that day would often describe their care for their subjects “like a shepherd,” which was probably no more than political jargon. The psalmist (whether it was David or not) realizes that God is the only ruler who truly cares like a shepherd.
Questions for Reflection:
- In your life, where are the places of “green pastures” and “still waters”?
- Recall a time when your soul was restored. How did God get you there?
- Was there a particular time in your life when you asked God to help you stay on the right path?
content provided by the United Methodist Church
