Psalm 23
In recently reflecting upon Psalm 23, I realized something I’d never considered before. Though David was writing from his heart about all that God was to him, his words transcend his specific context and foreshadow what was yet to come. Every verse in this psalm speaks to the Kingdom of Heaven that has come through Jesus Christ and will be completed upon His return.
I invite you to consider with me the following New Testament verses as they correspond to David's words, and I pray your heart is encouraged as mine is in realizing how prophetically Kingdom-oriented this Psalm truly is.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (John 10:10; Philippians 4:19)
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (Matthew 4:19; Matthew 16:24; John 10:27)
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.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. (Luke 22:14-20; John 10:10; 1 John 2:20)
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.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. (John 3:16; Romans 8:38-39; Luke 1:32-34)
Amen.
~em
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