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The Price the Shepherd Paid

From: The Christian Shepherd: 1999

By: Ron Klassen, Jr.

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Duration: 3min

Psalm 23 • 2 min. read • grade level: 5

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“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:11¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)).

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Cor. 8:9⁹For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)).

“O thou great, all-gracious Shepherd, shedding for us Thy life’s blood” (Little Flock Hymnbook, No. 40).

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

“Awake, O sword, against My shepherd.... Smite the shepherd” (Zech. 13:7⁷Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. (Zechariah 13:7)).

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

“The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head” (Matt. 8:20²⁰And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20)).

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

“All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over Me” (Psa. 42:7⁷Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. (Psalm 42:7)).

He restoreth my soul.

“Now is My soul troubled.” “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (John 12:27²⁷Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. (John 12:27); Matt. 26:38³⁸Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (Matthew 26:38)).

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

“He was led as a lamb to the slaughter” (Isa. 53:7⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) JND).

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.

“My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Why art Thou so far from helping Me?” (Psa. 22:1¹<<To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.>> My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? (Psalm 22:1)).

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

“I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of His wrath” (Lam. 3:1¹I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. (Lamentations 3:1)).

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.

“They gave Me also gall for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink” (Psa. 69:21²¹They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21)).

Thou anointest my head with oil.

“And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head... and took the reed, and smote Him on the head” (Matt. 27:29-30²⁹And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! ³⁰And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. (Matthew 27:29‑30)).

My cup runneth over.

“He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done” (Matt. 26:42⁴²He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26:42)).

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

“Reproach hath broken My heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psa. 69:20²⁰Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. (Psalm 69:20)).

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. “I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop” (Psa. 102:7⁷I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. (Psalm 102:7)).

R. Klassen, Jr. (adapted)

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