The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In Biblical times one of the most popular professions was to be a shepherd. The shepherd was entirely responsible for the wellbeing of his sheep; by taking care of his sheep, he also cared for his family. The shepherd provided safety for the sheep and a good steady living for his family. Are you a good shepherd taking care of your responsibilities and providing for yourself and your family? God/Lord takes care of those that allow him into their lives and provides them with everything they need to be safe and sound.
He (God) makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. During the hot and dry summer, it became necessary for the shepherd to move the sheep to the better pasture in the high country. This terrain was rough, rocky, with few places of comfort for the sheep or the shepherd. A good shepherd would work hard to find a safe and comfortable place for the sheep to graze. Another danger in the high country was that the streams coming off the steep hills were turbulent, running fast, and full of danger. Sheep are terrible swimmers who tend to walk out into the stream when drinking and often drown. Those of us that listen to God and follow his wishes find that we enjoy prosperity in our daily lives. We can avoid turbulent circumstances that get us into trouble if we pay attention.
He (God) restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. When King David wrote the Psalms, he tried to express that God was looking out and guiding him and him alone. Just like in Biblical times, God is in a one-on-one relationship with us. If we follow God’s teaching, he will keep us on a righteous path and out of trouble. We must remember this as we try to maintain our spiritual lives.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. When the shepherd was in the high country tending the sheep, they had to be constantly watched for predators and dangers that could cause the sheep to be scattered and killed. The shepherd had to also be concerned for his safety because no one was with him or anyone near to help. It could be argued that we are traveling through a valley full of evil, dangers, and opportunities for failure. If we truly believe in God and he is always with us, we can feel comfortable, just like David did.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over. King David wanted to express that God always gives us everything we need and strengthens us to meet our problems. He goes on to say that God anoints our head with oil which was a sign of hospitality and kindness. King David reminds us that God will always give us more than we need or deserve by stating our cup will run over. Suppose we start paying attention to our circumstances. In that case, we will soon see that no matter what is happening with our jobs, families, friends, and personal lives, we are more blessed than we deserve. Our enemies are of no real danger to us, our lives are blessed beyond expectation, and we have more than we can use without waste. We live in a country full of division, hate, and stupidity. Still, if we step back and look at things realistically, we are most fortunate. The division, hatred, and stupidity are self-inflicted by those looking for something to complain about, and we are not required to participate.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The goodness and mercy God gives us is a gift that can only be given by God. We do not deserve the goodness and the blessings, but God offers these things because He wants us to have them. God gives us mercy every day, and we do not even think about it. We only acknowledge this mercy when we are in trouble, have sickness, or under duress and then beg for mercy. God is always there to administer the blessings and the mercy; all he asks is that we worship him, have faith, and believe in his righteousness.
It is believed that King David wrote or influenced Ecclesiastes about the same time as writing Psalms, about 900 BC. Ecclesiastes 9:7 tells us, “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.” Some 950 years later, Paul writes in Romans that he prays, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” We should find it easy to feel good about life, be happy in our circumstances, and be thankful for all God allows us.