LORD (all capital letters in the NIV) is the covenant name of Yahweh (YHWH), the name told to Moses at the burning bush. (Exodus 3:14) David, the author of this modern-day famous psalm, called the Lord his shepherd. Calling a king a shepherd was a common practice in the Middle East in David’s time. However, David was thinking of his young life as a shepherd when he called the Lord his shepherd.
Jesus referred to himself as a shepherd to his people. (Matthew 25:32, 26:31; John 10) He described what that means by saying, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) And, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…” (John 10:14)
David experienced the Lord, his personal shepherd lovingly and practically. “I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Sheep are not very intelligent animals. They are intimidated and run away from open lands even though they contain green pastures and they are hungry. Once eating they keep eating forgetting to rest. A shepherd has to make them lie down and rest.
People are like sheep. We don’t know where to find rest. We look for rest and peace in all the wrong places. We crave and yet run away from that which will satisfy the craving. When I allow and follow shepherd Jesus’ guidance he makes me rest in green pastures. He satisfies my soul. As the Apostle John wrote, “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)
