(Part 1)

JBTM Jeffrey G. Audirsch
62
the Lord your God.” In Exod 6:7, God declares his election of Israel, and as a result the
Israelites would know that he is God. The demise of Israel, however, is directly related to
their election. By turning from God, they ceased to know him as “the Lord your God.”
With this in mind, let us turn to examine the psalm more closely. Given the unique
structure of the psalm, two overarching themes (or points) support the main message of
the text: God will provide when we submit to his authority. First, we must recognize that God
is sovereign over our lives (vv. 1–4). Second, God proudly accepts us into his presence when
we submit to his authority (vv. 5–6). These two broad themes are wonderfully illustrated
through the metaphor of shepherding and hosting.
We must recognize that God is sovereign over our lives (vv. 1–4).
The main theological thrust of this theme is grounded in v. 1: “The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.” The shepherding imagery controls the first part of the psalm (vv. 1–4);
however, many times we miss the point that is being made. With God being the shepherd
in Ps 23, he is supplying provisions (i.e., a place to eat and safe water to drink) and
providing guidance along the treacherous path. Thus, the first part of the psalm is about
our submissiveness and recognition that God is sovereign over all things including our
lives. This submissive relationship between shepherd and sheep is called “pastoral sheep
husbandry.” The imagery of the shepherd-flock relationship resonates with humanity
“because mentally people are able to visualize God as a shepherd or a leader.” 16 A shepherd
had two primary responsibilities: provision and protection for his flock—see vv. 2 and
3. Beyond the sustenance provision, a shepherd determined the course for the flock. As
the flock roamed the “green pastures,” the shepherd was to “fend off predators” because
“he was accountable for their welfare and safety.” Moreover, the phrase “he makes me lie
down” when translated literally is “he provides rest for me.” 17 The pursuit of rest by the
shepherd entails the active seeking out a location where the flock will thrive. The phrase,
“he restores my soul,” describes the “effect of the provision,” that is, physical refreshment
and renewal. 18
In many ways, the provision and protection of the shepherd in vv. 1–3 parallels the
benevolent acts of God when the Israelites were delivered from the oppressive hands
of the Egyptians (cf. Exod 15:13). 19 The use of cultural memories within the Psalter is
16
Philip J. Nel, “Yahweh is a Shepherd: Conceptual Metaphor in Psalm 23,” Horizons in Biblical
Theology 27 (2005): 81.
17
The New Living Translation and the Common English Version render the phrase “He lets
me rest” rather than the standard rendering, “He makes me lie down.” This is an example of why
consulting a variety of translations is important. Consulting a variety of translations is principle 2 in
my “Guiding Principles for Interpreting Poetry.”
18
Miller, Interpreting the Psalms, 114.
19
The deliverance of the Israelites from the oppressive hands of the Egyptians is a major theme