God, Our Shepherd

I.“The Lord is my Shepherd” (ver. 1a). They require more attention than any other livestock. They just can’t take care of themselves. Unless their shepherd makes them move on, sheep will actually ruin a pasture, eating every blade of grass, until finally a fertile pasture is nothing but barren soil. Sheep are near-sighted & very stubborn, but easily frightened. An entire flock can be stampeded by a jack rabbit. They have little means of defense. They’re timid, feeble creatures. Their only recourse is to run if no shepherd is there to protect them. Sheep have no homing instincts. A dog, horse, cat, or a bird can find its way home, but when a sheep gets lost, it’s a goner unless someone rescues it (Phillip Keller).

God, Our Shepherd I.“The Lord is my Shepherd” (ver. 1a). Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way... Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way...

God, Our Shepherd I.“The Lord is my Shepherd” (ver. 1a). Mark 6:34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

God, Our Shepherd I.“The Lord is my Shepherd” (ver. 1a). I Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. I Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

God, Our Shepherd II.“I shall not want” (ver. 1b). It was spring. But it was summer I wanted - The warm days, & the great outdoors. It was summer. But it was fall I wanted - The colorful leaves, & the cool, dry air. It was fall. But it was winter I wanted - The beautiful snow, & the joy of the holiday season. It was winter. But it was spring I wanted - The warmth, & the blossoming of nature. I was a child. But it was adulthood I wanted - The freedom, & the respect. I was 20. But it was 30 I wanted - To be mature, & sophisticated. I was middle-aged. But it was 20 I wanted - The youth, & the free spirit. I was retired. But it was middle-age I wanted - The presence of mind, without limitations. Then my life was over and I never got what I wanted. It was spring. But it was summer I wanted - The warm days, & the great outdoors. It was summer. But it was fall I wanted - The colorful leaves, & the cool, dry air. It was fall. But it was winter I wanted - The beautiful snow, & the joy of the holiday season. It was winter. But it was spring I wanted - The warmth, & the blossoming of nature. I was a child. But it was adulthood I wanted - The freedom, & the respect. I was 20. But it was 30 I wanted - To be mature, & sophisticated. I was middle-aged. But it was 20 I wanted - The youth, & the free spirit. I was retired. But it was middle-age I wanted - The presence of mind, without limitations. Then my life was over and I never got what I wanted.

God, Our Shepherd II.“I shall not want” (ver. 1b). Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. ASV Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. ASV

God, Our Shepherd II.“I shall not want” (ver. 1b). Heb 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have…" Heb 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have…" 1 Tim 6:6-8 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Tim 6:6-8 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

God, Our Shepherd III.“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters” (ver. 2). Worldliness (Eccl. 5:10) Wants (Num. 11:4-6) Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves… Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves…

God, Our Shepherd III.“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters” (ver. 2). Worldliness (Eccl. 5:10) Wants (Num. 11:4-6) Wrong Source (Duet. 8:11-18)

God, Our Shepherd IV.“He restores my soul” (ver. 3a). Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.

God, Our Shepherd IV.“He restores my soul” (ver. 3a). Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Active voice = something we do ourselves.

God, Our Shepherd IV.“He restores my soul” (ver. 3a). Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Passive voice = something done to or for us.

God, Our Shepherd V.“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake” (ver. 3b). Matt 7:13 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. Matt 7:13 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

God, Our Shepherd V.“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake” (ver. 3b). Prov 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Prov 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

God, Our Shepherd V.“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake” (ver. 3b). Ps 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ps 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Proverbs 4:11 (KJV) I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. Proverbs 4:11 (KJV) I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

God, Our Shepherd VI.“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (ver. 4). Matt 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

God, Our Shepherd VI.“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (ver. 4). Ps 118:6-7 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. Ps 118:6-7 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.