Seeing Jesus in Psalm 23

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Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved and well-known Scriptures. It is a promise of love, provision, and protection for God's children. Throughout my life these verses have inspired, encouraged, strengthened, comforted, and helped me to persevere in faith. As I read about Jesus' life and ministry in the New Testament, I find this magnificent Psalm echoed throughout the text; it is a promise fulfilled in Jesus! For example, when Jesus declared, “I am the Good Shepherd,” he identified himself as Jehovah*, the good shepherd, which King David wrote about in the Twenty-third Psalm!

This lesson can be used in a discussion for a comparative study, see also the Names of God, or as a responsive reading to edify your gathering, whereby one person or group recites the Psalm, and then another person or group responds with the New Testament verses.

I hope the following Scriptures encourage you and help you to persevere in faith as they have done for me!

God bless you!
Sarah Keith <><
P.S. Download my Psalm 23 bookmark. 

(The bolded text is from the King James Version of Psalm 23, the New Testament text is from various modern translations.)

The Lord is my shepherd
I am the good shepherd. (John 10:11)

I shall not want
My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

He leadeth me beside the still waters
Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:14)

He restoreth my soul
Cast all your cares on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. . . ' (John 14:6) 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

I will fear no evil
The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:6)

For thou art with me
Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
Our Good Shepherd has given each of us his Word—the Bible; it is our Rod to defend us against Satan's attacks (Ephesians 6:17). We also have the Holy Spirit; he is our Staff to guide us and pull us closer to God (John 16:13). And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)

Thou preparest a table before me
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20)

In the presence of mine enemies
But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44)

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is (Ephesians 3:18)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? (Luke 15:1-31)

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am. (John 14:3)

What other echoes of Psalm 23 have you found in the New Testament? Share them here! 

Teach children The Good Shepherd, Psalm 23 Bible Lessons.

*See God’s Names, the I Am’s of God. See also, I AM the Good Shepherd.

Copyright 2023 Sarah Keith
Photography: Frank Merino @pexels.com

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