When the Lord is Your Shepherd (Psalm 23)

• Nothing I Lack (Psalm 23:1-2).
• Only God Can Bring Me Back (Psalm 23:3).

• The Valley of Darkness (Psalm 23:4). 

• Blessed in the Presence of My Enemies  (Ps 23:5).

• Followed by Goodness All My Life (Ps 23:6).

1. In Psalm 23 God is a shepherd (Ps 23:1). How else is God described in the O.T. (Ps 18:1-3; Ps 103:13; 131:2)? How did Jesus similarly portray images for God (Lk 15:4, 8, 11-12)?
2. What does it mean practically that "the Lord is my shepherd" (Ps 23:1a; Prov 3:5-6)?
3. What is it to "lack nothing" (Ps 23:1b; Phil 4:11-12)? What are the basic wants that the shepherd provides for his sheep (Ps 23:2-6)? How might commercials and advertising affect our wants? How does beginning (Ps 23:1), end (Ps 23:6) and middle (Ps 23:4a) of this psalm affirm the deepest needs of the psalmist?
4. What does the shepherd need to do before any sheep will lie down (Ps 23:2)? What is provided for the sheep [and the guest (Ps 23:5)]? What kind of life is this (Phil 4:7; Jn 14:27)? Did David know peace in the midst of his turbulent life?
5. English translations say "He restores/refreshes/renews my soul" while Eastern translations say "He brings me back" (Ps 23:3a)? What does the latter translation suggest about our human condition (Isa 53:5)? About what needs to be done (Jer 23:3; Eze 34:16; Zech 10:10; Lk 15:4; Mt 18:12)? What does it mean that she sheep is led in "paths of righteousness" and "for his name's sake" (Ps 23:3b)?
6. Why must the sheep pass through the valley of darkness/death (Ps 23:4a)? Why is there no fear in doing so (Ps 23:4b)? Why is this the center and climax of Psalm 23? What is the role of the rod and staff (Ps 23:4c)? What is the sheep's unique problem?
7. What is the change in metaphor from Ps 23:1 to Ps 23:5 (Isa 42:13; 43:14)? Who usually prepares the table/the meal (Prov 9:1-5)? What is meant by "in the presence of my enemies" (Ps 23:5a)? How is this similar to the story of Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10)? What is the meaning of anointing (Ps 23:5b; Mt 26:7; Mk 14:3; Lk 7:38; Jn 12:3)? Of "my cup overflows" (Ps 23:5c)?
8. How does it generally feel to be followed? What is "goodness" and "mercy" [hesed] (Ps 23:6a)? [David personifies them like people who follow him.] "...the length of days" can mean both "my days" and God's days (Ps 23:6b). How could David be so sure and confident of this (Ps 23:1, 4a)?