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Psalm 23 - The Shepherd’s Psalm (Part IX)
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (v. 6).

The Psalm opens with the proud, joyous statement, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” To be fully owned and cared for by the Good Shepherd is a great blessing. The sheep has flourished under its owner’s attentive care. Now the Psalmist closes with the equally happy declaration, “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” This affirmation comes from a heart overflowing with joy and gratitude in recounting the past, and looking with glad anticipation to future eternal glory in the Shepherd’s presence.

“and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (v. 6b)

When penning this last verse, David might have the tabernacle in mind. This understanding is derived from Psalm 27: 4 – “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple.” It is likely that the Psalmist views it in the earthly sphere, meaning that he desires to “dwell in the house of the LORD” for as long as he lives.

From Phillip Keller, a former shepherd, we have this interesting observation: “But it must be kept in mind always, that the Psalmist, writing from the standpoint of a sheep, is reflecting on and recounting the full round of the year’s activities for the flock. He has taken us from the green pastures and still waters of the home ranch, up through the mountain passes onto the high tablelands of the summer ranch. Fall has come with its storms and rain and sleet that drive the sheep down the foothills and back to the home ranch for the long, quiet winter. In a sense this is coming home. It is a return to the fields and corrals and barns and shelters of the owner’s home. During all seasons of the year, with their hazards, dangers and disturbances, it is the rancher’s alertness, care and energetic management that had brought the sheep through satisfactorily. It is with a sublime feeling of both composure and contentment that this statement, ‘I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever,’ is made.”

We can also take this clause to mean the eternal presence of God. It is the shepherd’s presence that has guaranteed the sheep’s well-being – abundant green pastures, still waters, safe summers on high tablelands, freedom from fear, protection from wild beasts, antidotes for diseases and parasites. Having received such devoted care, the sheep is here expressing its desire to be in the eternal presence of the wonderful Shepherd. Goodness and mercy having followed me all the days of my life on this earth; when that is ended I shall leave for a better world, to dwell in the house of the Lord for ever, in our Father’s house above, where there are many mansions (Jn. 14: 1-3).

“In a very important sense it is his privilege so to live even on earth; it will certainly be his privilege so to live in heaven: and, full of grateful exultation and joy, every child of God may adopt this language as his own, and say confidently, ‘Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life here, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever,’ for heaven, where God dwells, will be his eternal home” – Barnes.

Eternity with our Good Shepherd should be the crown of all our hopes for the future. We are sure that the sorrows and struggles of life will soon end and we look forward to the joyous day when we will see Him “not darkly,” but “face to face” (I Cor. 13: 12). So shall we ever with the Lord (I Thess. 4: 17). “It is as when the son of some great king comes back from foreign soil to his father’s dominions, and is welcomed at every stage in his journey to the capital with pomp of festival and messengers from the throne, until at last he enters his palace home, where the travel stained robe is laid aside, and he sits down with his father at his table” - Alexander Maclaren, 1863.

Conclusion

Is Jesus our Good Shepherd? If He is, we are in the best of care. He laid down His life for the sheep and gave them eternal life: “I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. I lay down My life for the sheep” (Jn. 10: 11, 15). “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (Jn. 10: 28).

Let us resolve to cleave to the Lord and stay within His fold where there is safety and abundant life. We close with these meaningful thoughts by Matthew Henry: “We must dwell in His house as servants, that desired to have their ears bored to the door-post, to serve him for ever. If God’s goodness to us be like the morning light, which shines more and more to the perfect day, let not ours to Him be like the morning cloud and the early dew that passeth away. Those that would be satisfied with the fatness of God’s house must keep close to the duties of it.” May the Lord grant us grace to follow Him as His faithful and obedient sheep.