A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

Since David was a shepherd as a boy, he drew on his experiences as a young shepherd when he wrote Psalm 23, using the analogy that God is to us as a shepherd is to his flock.

A modern-day shepherd named Phillip Keller has written a remarkable book entitled, “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.”
 
http://www.antipas.org/commentaries/articles/shepherd_psa23/shepherd_01.html

What follows are key lines from Psalm 23, and passages from Keller’s book, demonstrating David’s shepherding analogy.

"THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT."

When all is said and done the welfare of any flock is entirely dependent upon the management afforded them by their owner.
I have become increasingly aware of one thing ... It is ... the Master in people's lives who makes the difference in their destiny.

"HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES."

The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very make-up, it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met.
Owing to their timidity, they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear.
Because of the social behavior within a flock, sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind.
If tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not lie down. Only when free of these pests can they relax.
Lastly, sheep will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food. They must be free from hunger.

“HE LEADETH ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS.”

Water determines the vitality, strength and vigor of the sheep and is essential to its health and general well-being.
It is the shepherd who with much effort and industry has provided the watering places. And it is to these spots that he leads the flock.
 
"HE RESTORETH MY SOUL."

A “cast” sheep is an old English shepherd's term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. A "cast" sheep is a very pathetic sight.  Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration.
If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die.
 
"HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE."

Sheep are notorious creatures of habit. If left to themselves they will follow the same trails until they become ruts; graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes; pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and parasites.
The greatest single safeguard which a shepherd has in handling his flock is to keep them on the move... they dare not be left on the same ground too long.
 
"YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEYOF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVEIL; FOR THOU ARE WITH ME."

The long treks into the high country take place in the summer.  Their summer will be spent in the close companionship and solitary care of the good shepherd.
With the approach of autumn, early snow settles on the highest ridges, relentlessly forcing the flock to withdraw back down to lower elevations. Finally, toward the end of the year as fall passes, the sheep are driven home to the ranch headquarters where they will spend the winter.

It is well to remember that all of this is done against a dramatic background of wild mountains, rushing rivers, alpine meadows and high rangelands. All the dangers of rampaging rivers in flood; avalanches; rock slides; poisonous plants; the ravages of predators that raid the flock or the awesome storms of sleet and hail and snow were too familiar to him. He was fully prepared to safeguard his flock and tend them with skill under every circumstance.
 
"THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME."

The rod was what he relied on to safeguard both himself and his flock in danger. And it was, furthermore, the instrument he used to discipline and correct any wayward sheep that insisted on wandering away.
...an interesting sidelight on the word "rod" ... the slang term "rod" has been applied to hand-guns such as pistols and revolvers which were carried by cowboys, and other westerners. The connotation is exactly the same as that used in this Psalm.
He opens the fleece with the rod; he runs his skillful hands over the body; he feels for any sign of trouble; he examines the sheep with care to see if all is well.
We turn now to discuss and consider the shepherd's staff. In a sense, the staff, more than any other item of his personal equipment, identifies the shepherd as a shepherd. It is designed, shaped and adapted especially to the needs of sheep.
The staff is essentially a symbol of the concern, the compassion that a shepherd has for his charges. No other single word can better describe its function on behalf of the flock than that it is for their "comfort."
The staff is also used for guiding sheep. Again and again I have seen a shepherd use his staff to guide his sheep gently into a new path or through some gate or along dangerous, difficult routes.

“THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES:

In thinking about this statement, it is well to bear in mind that the sheep are approaching the high mountain country of the summer ranges. These are known as alplands or tablelands, so much sought after by sheepmen.
In some of the finest sheep country of the world, especially in the Western United States and Southern Europe, the high plateaus of the sheep ranges were always referred to as "mesas" -- the Spanish word for "tables."
There is another chore which the sheepman takes care of on the tableland. He clears out the water holes, springs and drinking places for his stock. He has to clean out the accumulated debris of leaves, twigs, stones and soil which may have fallen into the water source during the autumn and winter.

"THOU ANOINTEST MY HEAD WITH OIL; MY CUP RUNNETH OVER."

As one meditates on this magnificent poem it is helpful to keep in mind that the poet is recounting the salient events of the full year in a sheep's life. He takes us with him from the home ranch where every need is so carefully supplied by the owner, out into the green pastures, along the still waters, up through the mountain valleys to the high tablelands of summer.
Here, now, where it would appear the sheep are in a sublime setting on the high meadows; where there are clear running springs; where the forage is fresh and tender; where there is the intimate close contact with the shepherd; suddenly we find "a fly in the ointment," so to speak.
For relief from this agonizing annoyance, sheep will deliberately beat their heads against trees, rocks, posts, or brush. They will rub them in the soil and thrash around against woody growth. In extreme cases of intense infestation, a sheep may even kill itself.
At the very first sign of flies among the flock, he will apply an antidote to their heads. I always preferred to use a homemade remedy composed of linseed oil, sulphur and tar which was smeared over the sheep's nose and head as a protection against nose flies.
What an incredible transformation this would make. Once the oil had been applied to the sheep's head, there was an immediate change in behavior. The sheep would start to feed quietly again, then soon lie down in peaceful contentment.

"SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCEY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE: AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.”

All the care, all the work, all the alert watchfulness, all the skill, all the concern, all the self-sacrifice are born of His love -- the love of One who loves His sheep, loves His work, loves His role as a Shepherd.
In ancient literature sheep were referred to as "those of the golden hooves" -- simply because they were regarded and esteemed so highly for their beneficial effect on the land. In my own experience as a sheep rancher I have, in just a few years, seen two derelict ranches restored to high productivity and usefulness. More than this, what before appeared as depressing eyesores became beautiful, park-like properties of immense worth.
In other words, goodness and mercy had followed my flocks. They left behind them something worthwhile, productive, beautiful and beneficial to both themselves, others and me.