Psalm 23 and the Shepherd Who Saves
- Rob Riesmeyer
- Jun 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 1
A Journey from Fear to Faith
By Rob Riesmeyer, Elder
For many, Psalm 23 is a passage heard at funerals or printed on decorative plaques—familiar, poetic, and serene. But beneath its gentle cadence lies a radical, life-giving truth that speaks to every human heart: the Gospel message embedded in ancient poetry.
To those who don’t yet believe, Psalm 23 might seem like a relic from a religious tradition or a source of temporary comfort during times of grief. But let’s pause and take a closer look. What if this Psalm isn’t just about death or comfort but life, purpose, and salvation? What if the Shepherd isn’t a distant metaphor, but a real, living Savior who knows your name?
Psalm 23 is an invitation. An invitation to rest. To trust. To follow. To live again.
Verse by Verse: Discovering the Gospel in Psalm 23
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
The first sentence introduces us to the key figure: the Shepherd. In Hebrew, the word used for “LORD” is Yahweh—the personal, covenantal name of God. Not some distant deity or impersonal force, but a God who seeks relationship—and not just any relationship, but one of protection, provision, and intimacy.
To call the Lord our Shepherd is to admit something humbling: we are sheep. Vulnerable. Lost. Unable to save ourselves. Sheep can’t defend themselves or find their way alone. They need someone to lead them.
This simple verse disrupts the self-sufficiency we cling to. It calls us to trust someone greater. The Shepherd supplies what we lack—physically, emotionally, spiritually. In a world that constantly reminds us what we don’t have, this is a radical claim: “I shall not want.” That’s peace the world cannot offer.
Jesus later identifies Himself with this imagery in John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Here, the metaphor becomes flesh. The Shepherd is not just caring—He is sacrificial. He doesn’t merely guide; He gives His life for ours.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” (Psalm 23:2)
These are images of rest and refreshment. But notice—they are not earned. “He makes me…” “He leads me…” These are acts of grace. The Shepherd initiates rest for the weary soul.
We live in a restless world—always chasing the next promotion, experience, or distraction. But the Shepherd invites us to slow down and find absolute satisfaction in Him. He brings us to a place where we don’t just survive; we flourish.
This might sound foreign to the unbeliever—how can rest be found in God? But the Gospel answers this. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This isn’t about religion or rules, but a relationship that brings restoration.
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3)
“Restore” means to bring back to its original condition. Our souls, created for communion with God, are fractured by sin. We try to fix ourselves through pleasure, success, and morality, but true restoration can only come from the Shepherd.
We are also led, not forced, down a path of righteousness. This is more than moral behavior; it’s about walking in right relationship with God. And why does He do it? For His name’s sake. Because He is good. Because He is love. Because He is faithful even when we are not.
The Gospel is not about earning God's favor—it's about receiving the gift of grace through faith in Christ. Romans 3:22 says, “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” The path begins with belief, and the journey is sustained by grace.
“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.” (Psalm 23:4)
Life has valleys. You may be walking through one right now—grief, anxiety, addiction, doubt. The Psalm doesn’t say “if,” but “though.” It’s not a matter of if we face darkness, but when. The comfort is not in the absence of evil, but in the presence of the Shepherd.
Notice the pronoun shift: from “He” to “You.” When the path turns dark, the language turns personal. “You are with me.” This is the heart of the Gospel—God with us. Jesus, Immanuel. He didn’t stay in heaven; He entered our valley. He tasted death so we could live without fear.
His rod (a symbol of protection) and staff (a symbol of guidance) remind us we are not alone or defenseless. He is not only present, but actively working for our good.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)
This is no longer the language of a field—it’s the language of a feast. God becomes a host, welcoming us into fellowship even while enemies watch on. It’s a bold image of security and abundance in the middle of battle.
Oil signifies blessing, calling, and healing. An overflowing cup signifies a life of abundance, not in material wealth but in grace and purpose.
This foreshadows the ultimate invitation: the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). Those who trust in Christ will one day sit at His table, not because we earned a seat, but because He prepared it.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)
This is a promise—not just for some days, but all the days. Not just when life is easy, but even in suffering and death. The goodness and mercy of God pursue us—chase us down—because the Shepherd loves us that much.
The word translated as “follow” is better rendered as “pursue.” This is aggressive grace—mercy that won’t give up—love that refuses to let you go.
And where does this road lead? Home. Forever. To the presence of the Lord. That’s not wishful thinking; it’s the promise of the Gospel.
Jesus said in John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many rooms…I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am you may be also.” The Shepherd’s destination for His sheep is eternal life with Him.
The Gospel According to Psalm 23
Psalm 23 isn’t just poetic comfort—it’s prophetic truth. It tells the story of a Shepherd who:
Knows His sheep
Provides for their every need
Leads them through life’s terrain
Walks with them in suffering
Fights for them
Prepares a place for them
Gives them a future beyond death
This Shepherd has a name. His name is Jesus.
If you’ve wandered far, felt lost, tried to be your own shepherd, Psalm 23 calls you home. You don’t have to fix yourself. You don’t have to earn your way back. You simply need to respond to the Shepherd’s voice.
How to Follow the Shepherd
Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
To follow Jesus—the Shepherd who saves—begins with a step of faith:
Recognize your need. You are not self-sufficient. Like sheep, we all go astray (Isaiah 53:6).
Believe in Jesus. Trust that He lived the life you could not live, died the death you deserved, and rose to offer new life.
Receive His grace. Not by works, but by faith. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.”
Follow Him. Begin the journey. He will lead you every step of the way.
A Final Word
Psalm 23 is not a nice thought for religious people. It is a lifeline for the lost, a map that leads to peace, and the voice of the Shepherd calling you by name.
Maybe this is the first time you’ve really stopped and listened. Maybe you’ve been running. But there’s no safer place than with the Shepherd who saves.
Come. Rest. Be restored. Walk in righteousness. Fear no evil. Dwell with Him—now and forever.
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