For the last year or so, I have been doing a deep dive into the psalms. The words are so beautiful and devotional in nature. Each one stands alone as lyrics of a song on a bigger album.
As I have reflected on the psalms, I am so grateful Psalm 23 has been part of my faith journey since I first learned about Jesus. Although I have often heard it repeated at funerals, I have treasured and experienced the words and their meaning as part of my daily life for over forty years.
For me, Psalm 23 is the perfect picture of happiness, rest, and peace. Maybe that is why many love the psalm so much.
The tender words of Psalm 23 represent a state of mind where we pause, reflect, and then we all sigh. Psalm 23 causes us to take a deep breath and remember our Shepherd.
The location of Psalm 23 is between Psalm 22, “The Psalm of the Cross” and Psalm 24, “The Psalm of the Coming Kingdom of Glory,” in our Bibles. Between the two mountains, Calvary and Mount Zion, is the valley where we live. The valley with its green grass, quiet waters, springing flowers, a Shepherd, and grazing sheep. The lesson we learn from the location of Psalm 23 in Scripture reminds us God gives us comfort and help daily. Psalm 23 inspires and encourages God’s people during the in-between period of our life — between the cross and the crown.
We reach the 23rd psalm by way of the 22nd psalm, the psalm of the cross. The way of the cross leads us home through Psalm 23, remembering our Shepherd is leading us each step of the way. As we walk with Jesus in the present, in the valley, His Spirit lives with us as a Shepherd, Counselor, and Guide. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, walks with us in every moment and every hour of each day. “The Lord is my Shepherd” means I will not want for anything needed in this journey of faith. I will not want for nourishment (Ps. 23:1), refreshment (v. 2), rest (v. 3), protection (v. 4), guidance (v. 5), and home (v. 6). I shall not want for anything in time or eternity.
In the great Shepherd lies strength for my weakness, hope for my despair, food for my hunger, satisfaction for my need, wisdom for my ignorance, healing for my wounds, power for my temptations — everything needed to complement my lack. And as we finally reach Psalm 24 we can have hope in the future and the coming kingdom of glory.
Psalm 23 represents how heaven is so close, if we could just see it, and yet almost no one does.
Remember, Jesus calls His sheep by name, not by number. I have learned that Jesus continues to shepherd me through the varying terrain of this life between the cross and His second coming as I walk by faith day by day. And He walks with you too. I am praying you experience the joy of knowing our faithful Shepherd every day.
This article by Dr. Michelle R. Hicks first appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of Journey Magazine.
About Dr. Michelle R. Hicks
Michelle Hicks is the managing editor for Journey devotional magazine with Lifeway Women. Michelle served as a freelance writer, campus minister, and corporate chaplain before coming to Lifeway. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Michelle has a deep hunger for God’s Word and wants others to discover the abundant life they can have with Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
For a deeper look at the psalms, check out the As for Me Bible study by Adrienne Camp. Plus, hear Adrienne share why it’s important to look for Jesus in the psalms on the Marked Podcast.
