We don’t wander the wilderness, left to our own devices to find food, rest, and safety for ourselves. We have a faithful Shepherd who is watchful over all of these details in our lives. These are things everyone longs for, and it’s important to remind ourselves often that these are realities for Jesus’ sheep.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. — Psalm 23:1

One of the first psalms I learned as a child was Psalm 23. Many find this psalm to be beloved, and it has certainly been and continues to be a precious one to me. While I learned many other Scripture passages throughout my childhood, this one has stuck, most likely because it has been recited and meditated upon frequently over the years. Whether I needed comfort or calming, reading this psalm was a help many times, and it has been a blessing to know it from an early age. There are several things that play a part in making this such a cherished psalm.

Psalm 23 is highly personal.

Being able to call and refer to the Lord as your Shepherd is a wonderfully intimate and comforting action. It puts everything else into perspective and sets the mood right away. It reminds me that I belong to Jesus, and, whatever I may be experiencing, this statement is one that is foundational to finding comfort and peace.

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