Psalm 23
Theme
The LORD as Shepherd and Host
Outline
1-3, He Shepherds in the Field 4-6, You Bring Me to the House
Key Verse
(23:1) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Notes
While often read devotionally, it is also seen as speaking of Christ as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Psalm 23 begins with Yahweh shepherding in the field (23:1) and ends with David returning to Yahweh’s house (23:6). Between the first and last verses, which alone mention Yahweh by name, David speaks of Yahweh in the third person (he) in verses 2 and 3, then he addresses Yahweh, speaking in the second person (you), in verses 4 and 5. Verses 2 and 5 both treat the way that Yahweh provides for David, and verses 3 and 4 both describe Yahweh’s protective presence.