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Psalm 23 and John 10
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want”
(Psalm 23:1).
“I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine” (John 10:11).
Psalm 23 is the sheep speaking about the Shepherd; John 10 is the Shepherd speaking about His sheep. In the former, although the writer was inspired by the Holy Ghost, David’s experience of the Shepherd must necessarily have been limited. In the latter, the Good Shepherd knows all about His sheep perfectly — He knows what poor wandering things we are. In spite of it, He speaks of our not perishing, and instead having eternal life! How wonderful! What ample provision He has made for His own!
David himself had been a shepherd, and as a king he was called to shepherd God’s people. Having had experience with his father Jesse’s flock, he knew something of what it meant to have an individual care for each sheep.
The careful observer of the two Scriptures will be able to trace all the blessings that the Good Shepherd tells us about in John 10 and Psalm 23. This is why it is helpful to read Psalm 23 in conjunction with John 10.
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