The LORD is my Shepherd
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
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.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Despite its worldwide popularity, the Psalm is not for everyone. It is
applicable only to those who are entitled to say, "The LORD is my
Shepherd." It is true that the Good Shepherd died for all, but only
those who actually receive Him by a definite act of faith are His sheep.
His saving work is sufficient for all, but it is effective only for
those who actually believe on Him. Everything therefore hinges on the
personal pronoun my. Unless He is my Shepherd, then the rest of the
Psalm does not belong to me. On the other hand, if He is really mine
and I am really His, then I have everything in Him!
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