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“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters” (v. 2)

As a shepherd of his father’s herd, David understood well, the glorious privilege of being a sheep under the care of Jehovah, the Great Shepherd. In verse 2, he continued his expressive illustrations concerning the protective care he enjoyed as a sheep in the flock of God.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

The words, “green pastures” picture for us the lush verdant grass which carpets portions of the hills and vales of Israel. In this conducive environment, the flock can safely rest and feed. However, “green pastures” did not just happen by chance. If the flock were to enjoy green pastures amid the brown sun-burned wasteland, the caring shepherd had to clear rough, rocky land, tear out roots and stumps, plough and prepare the soil. He also needed to check out beforehand, the route to take and the places to rest his sheep.

Philip Keller, author of “A shepherd looks at Psalm 23,” notes that it is almost impossible for sheep to be made to lie down unless certain conditions are met – they must be free of all fear, tension, aggravations (e.g. flies or parasites) and hunger. Quiet and timid by nature, sheep need a calm and serene environment. Any rushing sound will disturb their rest. The shepherd is the only one who can provide relief from these anxieties.

“It is generally known that sheep are so timid and easily panicked that even a stray jackrabbit suddenly bounding from behind a bush can stampede a whole flock. When one startled sheep runs in fright a dozen others will bolt with it in blind fear, not waiting to see what frightened them” – Keller. He related an incident when a friend came with a tiny Pekingese pup. As she opened the car door, the pup jumped out on the grass. Just one glimpse of the unexpected little dog was enough. In sheer panic, over 200 sheep which were resting nearby leaped up and rushed off across the pasture.

A flock that is restless, discontented, always agitated and disturbed never does well. The same is true of us. There is nothing more reassuring to the sheep than the physical presence of the shepherd. In the Christian’s life, there is nothing like Christ’s presence to dispel the fear of the unknown. Life is full of uncertainties; any hour can bring danger and disaster. But God’s people can lie down in quiet contentment, finding rest in the presence of their Good Shepherd.

Moreover, each day brings with it small irritations, petty frustrations and ever-recurring disagreeable experiences. Is there an antidote for them? Can one come to the place of quiet rest despite these struggles? Yes, our Lord invites us to find rest in Him. Bring our burdens before the Lord. Submit our all humbly before Him: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt. 11: 28-30).

“He leadeth me beside the still waters”

Water is an important commodity in pastoral husbandry. However, in the land of Palestine, good clean water is scarce even today. Access to water sources is most critical especially in raising sheep. “The body of an animal such as a sheep is composed of about 70 percent water on the average. This fluid is used to maintain normal body metabolism; it is a portion of every cell, contributing to its turgidity and normal life functions. Water determines the vitality, strength and vigour of the sheep and is essential to its health and general well-being” – Keller. David, when composing Psalm 23, knew this. Looking at life from the standpoint of a sheep, he wrote, “He (the Good Shepherd) leadeth me beside the still waters.” In other words, He alone knows where the still, quiet, deep, clean, pure water is to be found that alone can satisfy His sheep and keep them fit and strong.

Sheep love drinking from “still waters.” The sheep is kept both for its meat as well as for its wool. Should the animal accidentally fall into the water, it will drown as its wet fleece will weigh it down. Thus, sheep instinctively avoid “troubled waters” – they will never be comfortable drinking from rushing streams or gushing rapids.

When sheep are thirsty, they become restless. If not led to the clean, pure water, they will often end up drinking from the polluted pot holes from where they pick up parasites and germs. This is often the case with us as we try, in our own strength, to sort out our problems. Small wonder we end up disappointed, disillusioned, and often in despair. The solution is before us. Turn to the Lord. He made it clear that thirsty souls can find satisfaction in Him alone: “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (Jn. 4: 13-14). Augustine summed it well when he wrote : “O God! Thou hast made us for Thyself and our souls are restless, searching, till they find their rest in Thee.” Let us find our satisfaction not from worldly pursuits, but from the Lord Himself.