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Psalm 23 — Part 1
“A Psalm of David” (Title).
When reading the Psalms, it is important to realize that the titles of these Psalms were not added by the translators, but are part of the original manuscripts. Therefore, we conclude that they are part of the inspired word of God and worthy of consideration. The titles, which many of the psalms bear, often give us the author’s name and introduce the subject of the inspired writer. As we consider this Psalm, it is instructive to notice the author. David was one who in his younger days was a shepherd boy, and of whom his father, Jesse, could say, “Behold, he keepeth the sheep” (1 Samuel 16:11). What better person to write about the Lord as the Shepherd than one who understood what it was to care for, feed, water, lead, and protect a flock of sheep for his father.
This Psalm opens up to us abundant and endless thoughts and comforts of the Lord Jesus, who said,“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep … . I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine” (John 10:11, 14). It is a psalm that is intensely personal, as is the care of the shepherd for each of his sheep individually.
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