Psalm 23:1 ~ The Lord (Adonai) is my shepherd. I shall not want. The New International Version reads: “I shall not lack”. Adonai is the common substitute Hebrew translators used to make reference to YHVH, which is the unspeakable name for “I am who I am” according to the present need. Psalm 84:11 reads: “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord will give grace and glory as HE will not withhold from them that walk uprightly” Whatever the believer needs to fulfill his destiny will be freely given to him. Ephesians 1:3 reads: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”. 2nd Peter 1:2-3 reads: “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, according as HIS divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. This is through the knowledge of HIM who has us to glory and virtue”. By this, we are given exceeding great and precious promises so that by these (promises); you might be partakers of the divine nature so that we can escape the corruption (degeneration) that is in the world through lust. Found in verse 4. 2nd Peter 1:8 ~ For if these things be in you and abound; then, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Otherwise, you are blind and can’t see far off having forgotten that you were purged from your old sins. (9) Give diligence, therefore, to make your calling and election sure; by allowing these character virtues to be worked into your experience so that you shall never fall. Furthermore, an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Proverb 10:22 ~ The Lord makes rich and HE adds no sorrow with it. Psalm 37:4 ~ Delight yourself in the Lord and HE will give you the desires of your heart. Verse 5 reads: “Commit your way unto the Lord. Trust also in HIM and HE shall bring it to pass. Verse 7 tells us to: Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for HIM. Fret not yourself because of him that prospers in his way, bringing wicked devices to pass. In fact, cease from anger and forsake wrath so that you don’t do any evil. Those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth. Here is another scripture that magnifies HIS Shepherd’s care of us, as found in Psalm 35:27 ~ Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor HIS righteous cause. Let them say continually: Let the Lord be magnified as HE has pleasure in the prosperity of HIS servant. Accurate definition of prosperity is giving each believer what that believer needs to fulfill his or her destiny. Psalm 23:2a ~ HE makes me to lie down in green pastures. Sheep won’t lie down until they feel safe from possible predators with the presence of shepherds nearby being helpful. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Romans 8:16 reads: “The Spirit HIMSELF bears witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God”. Psalm 23:2b ~ HE leads me beside the still waters. Sheep will not drink from water rapidly moving and surging. Psalm 23:3a ~ HE restores (brings me back) my soul. Psalm 23:3b ~ HE leads me in the paths of righteousness for HIS name’s sake. That means that HE marks out a path that is safe for HIS sheep not vulnerable to predators. Psalm 23:4 ~ Yea, though I walk through valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil. The sting of the fear of death has been removed by our Great Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. See 1st Corinthians 15:55-56 also Hebrews 2:14-15. Your rod and your staff comfort me in the valley of the shadow of death. Psalm 23:5a ~ YOU prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. This refers to a mesa elevated from the grounds around it so that predators could not leap upon them from higher ground. This refers to this life rather than in heaven because there are no enemies in heaven. Psalm 23:5b ~ YOU anoint my head with oil. In the natural, this speaks to actual oil poured upon the face of the sheep to give relief from insects, etc. Psalm 23:5c ~ My cup runs over (with blessings too numerous to count). Finally, verse 6 reads: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Therefore, I will dwell in the house of Lord for ever.”
