Shepherd Trilogy

Psalms 22, 23 and 24 form a trilogy. In Psalm 22 the good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11); in Psalm 23 the great Shepherd, “brought again from the dead through the blood of the everlasting covenant,” (Hebrews 13:20) tenderly cares for the sheep; in Psalm 24, the chief Shepherd appears as King of glory to own and reward the sheep (I Peter 5:4). –from the Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition).

All scripture quotes are from the New American Standard Bible.

We examined Psalm 22 in the April 7,2012 blogpost titled Doctrine of Expiation. Highlighting here, verses 1-2, 6-8, 14-18, The Good Shepherd. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep, by His obedient life and His atoning death:

My God (Father), my God (Spirit), why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning….

I am a worm (crushed for its blood) and not a man, A reproach of men and despised by the people.

All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying,

“Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”….

I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint;

My heart is like wax; It is melted within me.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And my tongue cleaves to my jaws;

And You lay me in the dust of death.

For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me;

They pierced my hands and my feet.  I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me;

They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.

It is important to note that when David wrote this prophetic cry of despair (1000 years before Christ), crucifixion was not practiced. It was a Roman form of execution, not Jewish, yet these verses graphically describe that terrible torture which was literally fulfilled in Jesus, as reported in Matthew 27.

Psalm 23 The Great Shepherd, risen and making daily provision for His sheep: Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 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 have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

David was a shepherd before he was king. He knew sheep. He knew their total dependence on the shepherd, for provision and protection. Because of his lifelong close fellowship with the Lord, he realized that God is to His people as the shepherd is to the sheep. This was a comforting analogy for David throughout his own life, and he has shared this comfort with us by this beautiful composition.

The shepherd provides everything for the sheep. They don’t have to forage for themselves. He gives them rest in lush vegetation. He finds them still waters to drink, because the rushing water frightens them. The comforts them in their times of distress. He leads them aright because of who he is (for His name’s sake), not because they deserve it. They can navigate the threatening terrain with confidence, knowing the shepherd is with them. His rod disciplines, His staff directs. That is comfort for the sheep. He provides perfect food for them even in the presence of predators. He cares for their physical cleanliness. He overflows the drinking trough for easy access. Goodness and lovingkindness (mercy) follow His sheep. He pursues them with His tenderness and blessings. The sheep of the Great Shepherd are assured of heavenly accommodations for all eternity.

Psalm 24 verses 1, 7-10 The Chief Shepherd returns at the second advent to claim and reward His sheep: I Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in!

Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.