David's Confidence in the Prospect of the Future
C. Bradley, M. A. Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.… The grounds of David's freedom from anxiety are — I. THE RELATION IN WHICH THE LORD STANDS TO HIM. It is not the mere utterance of a promise, but his recollection of the fact that the Lord is his Shepherd. Now, in order to see God sustaining such gracious character towards us, we need — 1. A view of God as a gracious God; One who is gracious to sinners. This we can only know as we see Him in Christ. 2. And we must know this gracious God to be err God. II. GOD'S PRESENCE WITH HIM. "Thou art with me." We ]nay think little of this presence, but the godly man thinks much, and has habitually this recollection in his mind. III. GOD'S PRESENT MERCIES. Probably David was thinking more of spiritual mercies than of temporal. He notices — 1. Their abundance. 2. The safety with which he enjoys them. 3. The strange circumstances under which these mercies were enjoyed, "in the presence of mine enemies." 4. The honour which the Lord puts on him while blessing him, "Thou anointest my head with oil." After having reviewed these mercies which he enjoys, he ends by making the inference that all his (lays goodness and mercy shall follow him. My Shepherd will be with me on earth, and take me at last to heaven. (C. Bradley, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Psalm of David.} The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. WEB: Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.