How to Teach Psalm 23, Theologically
I have preached Psalm 23 on two occasions: Easter morning and the funeral of a dear saint. These seem to be popular occasions for this particular Psalm. Why is this? Is it because so many people know it and like it? Is it because it mentions death? I believe it is because these occasions come face-to-face with the main idea of Psalm 23: that Jesus shepherds us through death to new life.
I want to help you teach the Bible theologically by highlighting three truths are clearly taught in Psalm 23: the Lord cares for his sheep, the Lord protects them from death, and the Lord dwells with his sheep forever.
The Lord Cares for His Sheep
Psalm 23 opens, “The Lord is my shepherd.” This simple, recognizable statement is profound. The Lord, who created the heavens and the earth by his word (Psalm 33:6-9), who does not sleep (Psalm 121:4), who is faithful and blameless (Psalm 18:25), is also a shepherd of Israel.
Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them…If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:7-11). Jesus gave his life for his sheep and invites all to become part of his flock if they enter through him.
Those who came before Jesus were thieves and robbers. In Ezekiel 34, the Lord speaks against rulers charged with “shepherding” Israel. The shepherds of Israel did not care for them like they should, thus, they were scattered “because there was no shepherd” (34:5). Jesus had compassion on people because, He said, “they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34). Whereas the wicked shepherds take from their sheep and devour them, Jesus provides everything they need (Psalm 23:1). In Ezekiel 34:18-19, God describes the shepherds of Israel as trampling the good pasture and muddying the clear water, depriving their sheep of basic necessities. In Psalm 23, the Lord makes His sheep lie down in green pastures and leads them beside still waters. He’s caring for them, restoring their souls, and leading them in paths of righteousness. God cares for his sheep, and his good care of them is praiseworthy.
It is Good News when the Lord is your Shepherd. No one will care for your soul as well as Christ does.
The Lord Protects Them From Death
Every person will die, including your students. Some of them have probably drunk from the cup of grief over lost grandparents, parents, siblings, friends, or other loved ones. We can’t shelter them from death – we shouldn’t.
Shepherds used their rods and staffs to discipline, rescue, and protect the sheep. The Lord had these tools to protect David, and He is ready to use them for all His sheep. He protects his sheep from death, although he does not always protect them from its shadow. In other words, he does not always protect them from the end of their physical lives, but he does protect them from the second death. He protects them from the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15). Death comes for us all, but those who are in Christ will experience it as an entrance into the Lord’s presence.
Jesus walked through Death Valley. Jesus experienced the worst that death has to offer. On the cross, he suffered, and he died. He “who knew no sin” was made to be sin, “so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). In this great exchange, Jesus lived the life that we should have lived and died the death that we should have died. And through His resurrection, He triumphed over sin and death, becoming our eternal living hope.
If our students trust in Christ, they do not need to fear death, because Jesus leads his people through the valley of the shadow of death – victoriously. When you teach Psalm 23, give your students a theology of death and true life.
The Lord Dwells with His Sheep Forever
The Lord protects us from death, but he does not send us into an empty or abstract afterlife. At its heart, heaven is paradise because that is where the Lord dwells with His sheep forever.
David speaks of a heavenly feast. The Lord has prepared a table for His people, and it is in the presence of their enemies. The imagery of anointing David’s head with oil points to this blessing. The Lord has promised to be with his people and to protect them – both now, and forever. Students need this positive vision today and for the future: to believe the evil and injustice in our world will not continue forever. God is our faithful shepherd, he will make all things new, and he will be with us forever.
After walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we arrive at the house of the Lord, where we shall dwell with Him forever. And when we arrive, we will have nothing less than eternal feasting in the land where God dwells. Help your students realize how interesting heaven will be because God is exhaustively interesting, compelling, and praiseworthy.
Conclusion
Psalm 23 is far richer than we may realize. It provides us with a theological foundation for our Christian identity: our hope in life and in death, and our eternal destiny. Show students how this Psalm speaks to the death and resurrection of Jesus, the future resurrection of Christ’s flock, and their spiritual death and resurrection today. May the Lord use this Psalm and its preaching to see students come to trust the Lord and hope in Him alone.
The future for the Lord’s sheep is eternity with their Good Shepherd, forever.