The late Steve Farrar believed Psalm 23 was the most dangerous Psalm in the Bible — dangerous because we know it so well that it loses its deep meaning and significance. The Psalm is only six verses long, but each one is potent and pregnant with meaning.
David, who wrote Psalm 23, could have written from the perspective of the shepherd. Instead, he wrote it from the perspective of the sheep. God’s people are called “sheep” over 200 times in the Bible. Why? Because sheep:
- Are dirty.
- Need rest.
- Easily get themselves into trouble and need a shepherd to lead them to safety.
Meanwhile, the shepherd:
- Stays in front of the sheep to lead them.
- Leads the sheep through dark valleys.
- Protects the sheep from predators.
When we immerse ourselves in the truth of Psalm 23, we can say with confidence, “Whatever comes into my life — whether negative events, circumstances, or heartache — I can rely on the goodness and mercy of God.”
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