The Shepherd and His Sheep: Psalm 23:1

Today we begin a new series diving into the world’s favorite psalm—Psalm 23.

Most people know this psalm by heart, and most often it is quoted in funeral services. It is used in hindsight to comfort those who remain after a loved one has passed away. But I believe that if Psalm 23 has value at death, it certainly has value in life.

He is not only the God of comfort in our last days—He is the God of care and concern in the days we are alive and well.

1. Who Is the Shepherd?

Psalm 23:1 says: “The Lord is my shepherd.”

The Hebrew here is Jehovah Rohi. This is one of more than 7,000 times the name Jehovah is mentioned in Scripture. Jehovah is the most holy, most reverent name for God.

So when David says, “The Lord is my shepherd,” he is saying:

My Shepherd is the God of heaven.
The greatest of the great.
The highest of the high.
The holiest of the holy.
The all-knowing, all-seeing, all-caring God of heaven.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

2. How Did He Become Our Shepherd?

The name Jehovah never changes—He has always been God and always will be. But the suffix attached to His name often reflects His character as revealed to His people in a specific moment of need.

For example:

Jehovah Rapha — The Lord who heals.
Jehovah Shalom — The Lord our peace.
Jehovah Jireh — The Lord who provides.

And here in Psalm 23, He is revealed as Jehovah Rohi — The Lord our Shepherd.

But how did He become our Shepherd?

Isaiah 53:6 gives the answer:
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

The name followed the need.

He is Provider when we lack provision.
He is Peace when we are restless.
He is Healer when we are broken.
And He is Shepherd when we are lost.

I’m glad that wherever we are in life, our God can be exactly what we need Him to be.

He was appointed Shepherd by His own will, but because of the great need of the sheep.

3. What Does the Shepherd Do for the Sheep?

Like any role, a shepherd has both specific responsibilities and countless other tasks that come with the job. The Bible gives us several specifics from John 10 about what our Shepherd does:

He enters the door of the fold. (John 10:2)
He gives His life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
He gives His sheep eternal life. (John 10:28)

When the eternal God gives you eternal life, you can trust it. When the most powerful hands in the universe hold you, and He says, “No man can pluck you out of my hand,” you can take it to the bank.

4. Who Are the Sheep?

There is only one Shepherd—Jehovah Rohi, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, drawing, protecting, and providing. But who are His sheep?

Jesus tells us clearly in John 10:

His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27).
His sheep know Him (John 10:14).
His sheep follow Him (John 10:27).

This is where many in our Christian world grow soft. Yes, believers are at different stages of growth, and that’s natural. But it is concerning when someone claims to be saved and yet shows no desire to follow the Shepherd at all.

Jesus said plainly: “My sheep hear my voice… and they follow me. A stranger they will not follow.”

So the question is: Are you one of His sheep?

Closing Thought

What is it you need from your Shepherd today?

Stop thinking of Him as “everybody’s Shepherd” with too much to do and too little time. Say it with David, with boldness and confidence:

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”