This material represents the content of two sermons preached by Pastor at Iden Green in November 2001. They are part of a mini series on the opening words of the twenty-third Psalm.

If we are to make right use of the Psalm there are two principles which we need to have before us:

1. We have taken much comfort when we are supposed to give much praise.

When in 1994 we began a series of sermons on this same Psalm, there were those who were relieved to get away from what was seen as the relentless exhortation to witness and announcement of the Lord's demands of us. At last there would be the receiving of comfort. My heart sank at the thought that we were wearying of giving to the Lord.

A psalm is like any hymn: for the praise of God. In some circles, singing in church seems to have become a sort of therapy for the worshipper. The sacrifice of praise has been forgotten.

This psalm is all about the LORD. It begins: the LORD is... It is not about me. Much evangelical religion has become man centred. Church services are about meeting men's felt needs. The psalm is misused if it is merely to serve such ends.

Let us give praise to the God of the Psalm, YHWH, the great I AM, triune God, who revealed himself to the shepherd Moses at the burning bush.

We worship God who is the Father. The Shepherd image was first used by Jacob as he blessed Joseph, and said: "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day" (Genesis 48:15) The word for fed is more literally shepherded. Ensuring good pasture for the sheep is a chief work of the shepherd. Again the Father is so represented in Genesis 49:24: But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob. From there is the Shepherd.

Jesus, the Son, represents Himself as the Shepherd in John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." Similarly note: Hebrews 13:20: Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant and 1 Peter 5:4: ..when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (also 1 Peter 2.25)

The Holy Spirit is also involved in this shepherding of the flock of God. As we have said a chief work of the shepherd is to feed the sheep. We are fed by the word of God. Who is it that has inspired scripture and by whom do we understand the Bible (1 Corinthians 2.12-14)? The Holy Spirit, of course.

We use the psalm first and foremost in worship of the great triune God. Do not be self seeking. Let us not sing for comfort received, but the glory given.

2. We sheep do not own the Shepherd, but the Shepherd owns the sheep.

Have you noticed how the Lord is brought out at our convenience and, if it does not suit the mood of the moment, he is forgotten? In times of trouble, we want to know the shepherd imagery. At a funeral we a happy to sing out Crimond. But can sheep dispose of their shepherd like that?

Let us have in mind:

A. The Shepherd's POSSESSION

The sheep belong to him. We belong to the LORD because He made us and because He paid for us. By virtue of creation and the cross, we are the LORD's possession.

B. The Shepherd's PLEASURE

It is the shepherd who decides where to pasture the sheep, when to shelter them, how to treat the ailments, and indeed, when to take them to the abattoir. It is not for the sheep to complain. It is the shepherd's right and role to determine all these things as he sees fit.

C. The Shepherd's PURPOSE

A man may keep sheep for all sorts of reasons. He may be feeding up to sell on; he may sell wool and meat; he may exhibit prize sheep in competitions. Whatever, the sheep are his - they are for him.

Why does God keep sheep? The answer is in Ephesians 1:5-6: having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace (See also Ephesians 1:12 & 14) This is God's purpose. There is sin and salvation to the praise of the glory of His grace.