Comfort Food, you have heard that phrase before. It is a phrase you may intuitively know what it is, but it is one that may be difficult to give a good definition. I came across this definition I thought was rather good. It is, “food associated with emotional comfort, familiarity, and a sense of well-being, often connected to home, family, or positive memories.
That is a good understanding of what “comfort food” is, don’t you agree? Well from a spiritual perspective, would not it be appropriate to think of this much beloved Psalm as the believer’s “comfort food” for their souls. For it has fed the souls of countless numbers of God’s people through the ages. It is connected to the Christians true home, his true family, and the positive memories of it continue to be a source of encouragement. This is especially so for those who have gone through the hardest and darkest of times. One of the hardest and darkest of times is the death of a loved one. Psalm 23 has been the most popular passage read at funeral services. To hear while walking through the valley of the shadow of death the LORD is there walking with us is wonderfully comforting.
Now in this article, though we may not see anything new with respect to meaning of the words themselves, I do wonder if there are ways of thinking about this Psalm that may be new or different. Perhaps some things you may not have considered before. And so, I thought I would share a couple of thoughts that would add some context or meaning to these much-beloved words.
First, this Psalm can be thought of in context of expressing thanksgiving. Though this Psalm contains no words such as “thanks” or “thanksgiving” as in other Psalms like for example, Psalm 50, verse 14 – “Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High,” yet if we would read this Psalm with a spirit of thanksgiving, we might see it in a new light.
We know we need the Lord’s provision. We need his guidance. Here in verse one, there is this declarative statement made by David – The LORD is my Shepherd I shall not want. How thankful are you that the LORD is your Shepherd who leads you? How thankful are you that the LORD, your Shepherd, provides for your needs?
Try reading this Psalm, pausing after each sentence, and then offering a prayer of thanksgiving for what has been revealed. Give thanks to the LORD that there is not a need that you have that God is unable or unwilling to give to you.
John Calvin in his commentary of the Psalms, writes …that it “is neither intermingled with prayers, nor does it complain of miseries for the purpose of obtaining relief; but it contains simply a thanksgiving.”
So… while this Psalm is a “go-to” one to find comfort and even hope in the tough times, we should also see it and read it as a Psalm of thanksgiving; being thankful for the LORD being our Shepherd.
Second, consider the Shepherd imagery carries with it both a royal and a covenantal meaning. The Shepherd imagery in the Psalm has a royal connotation. For kings in the Near East in biblical times would have been looked upon as those who guide, protect, and even feed the people that they rule over. Benevolent Kings would desire to care for the people they would rule over and that was the case with many of the Kings of Judah. David, the writer of these words, would be the prime example of this.
There are a couple of passages that speak to the king being considered a shepherd to the people he ruled over. From 2 Samuel chapter 5, “Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel’” (Verses 1, 2).
In Psalm 78, “He (speaking of the LORD) also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; From following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. So, he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands” (verses 70-73).
And in Ezekiel chapter 34, there is the rebuke of God of “shepherds of Israel.” The LORD said, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?’” (Verse 2).
So, the Kings of Israel would be identified as Shepherds. By David identifying the LORD as his Shepherd, he is speaking of the Divine King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This King of kings is like a Shepherd who cares, feeds, and protects his people.
And so is our King, Jesus identified as our Shepherd. He describes himself as the “Good Shepherd. Jesus says “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:10, 11). The Good Shepherd is ruling and reigning upon his throne right now interceding for us.
And so, the point is that when thinking of this well-beloved Psalm, we should see this thought of Royalty in the words – the Lord is my Shepherd. This then leads to this thought of seeing the Psalm in terms of a covenant relationship. All these wonderful words of provision of our great Shepherd-King speaks to the covenant relationship that God has with His people.
This covenant relationship is based upon God’s unconditional love. Notice in vs 1 David says, the LORD is “my” Shepherd. That word “MY” speaks of a covenantal relationship. All these wonderful provisional blessings are given to us because we are God’s children. Because we are God’s children, He is faithful to us. Because he loves us and is faithful to us, He will…
- Lead us to green pastures and still waters.
- He will restore our souls.
- He will lead us in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
- He will walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death.
- He will comfort us with his rod and staff.
- He will prepare a table for us before our enemies.
- He will cause the cup of mercy and grace to run over.
- He will bring us to that place of dwelling with Him forever.
His love and his faithfulness, these speak of his covenantal relationship with us and so Psalm 23 should be viewed as covenantal Psalm. These are covenantal promises given to us by our Shepherd King. We are guaranteed to receive such blessings because our Shepherd King reigns with absolute sovereignty.
May these thoughts provide a fresh view of this most beloved Psalm. And in so being, may it be this spiritual comfort food for your soul!