Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved Scriptures in the entire Bible. Its simple yet profound truths have provided comfort to millions for three millennia. My friends have plenty of ideas about what King David meant when he wrote, òòò½ÊÓƵœThe Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.òòò½ÊÓƵ
òòò½ÊÓƵœEvery time you go to the store, you donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t have to ask for everything,òòò½ÊÓƵ says Meredith, 6. Or as Haleigh, 9, says: òòò½ÊÓƵœHe will supply every need. I should realize that there is a big difference between my needs and wants.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Sheep receive comfort from hearing their shepherdòòò½ÊÓƵ™s voice because they know he will lead them to green pastures to meet their needs. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who calls His sheep by name and sacrifices His life for them. (John 10)
Godòòò½ÊÓƵ™s people should expect to hear Godòòò½ÊÓƵ™s voice when they meditate upon Scripture and follow the Good Shepherd with a whole heart.
òòò½ÊÓƵœA shepherd sings to his sheep,òòò½ÊÓƵ says Katlin, 10.
The Psalms were originally sung. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s easy to imagine David the shepherd boy singing Psalm 23 as he plucked his harp in the midst of his flock under the stars of the Judean hill country.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI think it means we are His sheep, and we donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t know anything,òòò½ÊÓƵ adds Olivia, 8.
Of all livestock, sheep require the most care. Without a shepherd, sheep are easy prey for predators. Sheep that fall down with a full coat of wool are said to be òòò½ÊÓƵœcast.òòò½ÊÓƵ They canòòò½ÊÓƵ™t even stand up on their own without help from their shepherd.
OK, sheep are dumb. But thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s only half the story. The prophet Isaiah wrote: òòò½ÊÓƵœAll we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way.òòò½ÊÓƵ (Isaiah 53:6)
Not only are we dumb like sheep; weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve taken a wrong path. But the Good Shepherd has made provision, says Nicole, 10: òòò½ÊÓƵœHe will lead you to make right choices. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He keeps you away from danger, and He loves you so much he gave His life for you. If we believe in Him, we will go to a place where there are no deaths, no sicknesses and no sin.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The prophet Isaiah also wrote, òòò½ÊÓƵœAnd the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.òòò½ÊÓƵ (Isaiah 53:6)
òòò½ÊÓƵœA shepherd will protect his sheep,òòò½ÊÓƵ says Sara, 9. òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s just like having kids wander off.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Weòòò½ÊÓƵ™re good at wandering off on our own trails. After denying the Lord Jesus three times, the Apostle Peter was òòò½ÊÓƵœcastòòò½ÊÓƵ or knocked off his feet by doubt, self-pity and guilt.
Three times, the Good Shepherd asked Peter, òòò½ÊÓƵœDo you love me?òòò½ÊÓƵ Three times, Peter affirmed his love for the Lord. Twice, the Lord replied, òòò½ÊÓƵœFeed my sheep,òòò½ÊÓƵ and once, he said, òòò½ÊÓƵœShepherd my sheep.òòò½ÊÓƵ (John 21:15-17)
The Lord knows how to restore us to fellowship with Him and useful service to others when weòòò½ÊÓƵ™re cast down and depressed over real or imagined failures. Those who stay close to the Shepherd will experience His protection and provision.
The following variation of Psalm 23:1 from an anonymous 6-year-old might help the next time failure knocks you down: òòò½ÊÓƵœThe Lord is my shepherd; I shall want Him.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Think about this: Nothing in this life can meet our needs and wants like fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Memorize this truth: òòò½ÊÓƵœThe Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.òòò½ÊÓƵ (Psalm 23:1)
Ask this question: Are you looking to the Lord to meet your needs and fulfill your desires?
Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost. To receive Kids Talk About God three times a week in a free, email subscription, visit .