2. The Shepherd
The Shepherd
(PSALMS 22—24)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Psalms 22—24. This lesson references content in Be Worshipful. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
Psalms 22; 23; and 24 form a trilogy on Christ the Shepherd. In 22, the Good Shepherd dies for the sheep (John 10:1–18); in 23, the Great Shepherd lives for the sheep and cares for them (Heb. 13:20–21); and in 24, the Chief Shepherd returns in glory to reward His sheep for their service (1 Peter 5:4).
David is the author of Psalm 22, but we have a difficult time finding an occasion in his life that would call forth this kind of psalm. According to the record, the Lord never deserted him in his hour of need but always provided friends to help him and deliverance from his enemies.
—Be Worshipful, page 90
1. What might have prompted David to write these three psalms? What is the mood in each of them? How would the imagery of the “Shepherd” have been received by the Israelites? How easy is it to relate to a shepherd in today’s Christian culture?
More to Consider: The suffering David refers to in Psalm 22 is that of a criminal being executed. How do these psalms support the claim in Acts 2:30 that David was a prophet? How is his role as prophet different from the role of those we typically refer to as prophets?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Psalms 22—24 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
There were three burdens that moved David to pray for God’s help, and they apply to Jesus as well.
1. He was abandoned by the Lord (22:1–5).
2. He was despised by the people (22:6–11).
3. He was condemned by the law (22:12–21).
—Be Worshipful, pages 90–91
3. How are each of the burdens described above applicable to David? How are they applicable to Jesus? What other parallels can you see in Psalm 22 between David and Jesus?
From the Commentary
With Psalm 22:22–31 we move now from suffering to glory, from prayer to praise (vv. 22, 23, 25, 26). In verses 1–21, Jesus “endured the cross,” but now He enters into “the joy that was set before him” (Heb. 12:2; and see Jude v. 24). He had prayed to be delivered out of death (Heb. 5:7), and that prayer was answered.
—Be Worshipful, pages 92–93
4. Go through Psalm 22 and circle phrases that are applicable to Jesus. How does the shift in emphasis from verses 1–21 to 22–31 relate to Jesus’ story? What is the significance of 22:30–31 for today’s church? What does a psalm like this one teach us about the greater plan God has for His people?
From Today’s World
Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the best-known passages of Scripture among Christians, Jews, and even many who have no religious affiliation. It has been set to music countless times and is also a featured element in many other forms of media, including popular television shows and feature films. Perhaps known best for its frequent use at funerals, Psalm 23 has found a place in popular culture as a sort of touchstone for comfort in difficult times.
5. What do you think accounts for the popularity of this particular psalm? Why do you think it’s especially popular for use in funeral ceremonies? What makes Psalm 23 more compelling to today’s culture than other psalms? What comfort do people find in the words of this psalm?
From the Commentary
Psalm 23 focuses on what Jesus does for us “all the days of [our] life” and not just at death (v. 6). It’s also unfortunate that people tend to spiritualize the psalm and fail to see it in its true setting. They see David, a “young shepherd boy,” lying on his back in the pasture and pondering the things of God, when he probably wrote this psalm late in life, possibly during the rebellion of his son Absalom (2 Sam. 13—19). In it, David deals with some of the difficult things he experienced during his long walk with the Lord.
—Be Worshipful, page 94
6. How does the psalm take on a new meaning if David wrote it late in life? What are some of the unique ways this perspective can help people deal with difficult times? How does the psalm speak to the issues David dealt with around the time of his son’s rebellion? What are some similar experiences in today’s world where the psalm fits just as appropriately?
From the Commentary
Psalm 23:4 is the central verse of the psalm, and the personal pronoun changes from he to you. David is not speaking about the shepherd but speaking to the shepherd. In the dark valley, He is not before us but beside us, leading the way and calming our fears.
—Be Worshipful, page 96
7. How does the shift from he to you in verse 4 change the flavor and meaning of the psalm? Why is this important to the psalmist’s message? How does this personalize the shepherd?
From the Commentary
Some students believe there is a change of metaphor in verse 5, from the shepherd and his sheep to the host and his guest, but this is not necessarily the case. “Table” doesn’t necessarily refer to a piece of furniture used by humans, for the word simply means “something spread out.” Flat places in the hilly country were called “tables,” and sometimes the shepherd stopped the flock at these “tables” and allowed them to eat and rest as they headed for the fold (see Ps. 78:19). After each difficult day’s work, the aim of the shepherd was to bring the flock safely back to the fold, where weary sheep could safely rest for the night.
—Be Worshipful, page 97
8. Does the meaning of the passage change if the “table” referred to in verse 5 refers to a host’s dining table instead of a flat stretch of land? Why or why not? In what ways does verse 5 speak to believers today? What does it mean that the shepherd prepares a table “in the presence of my enemies”? Who are these enemies? What does it mean to be anointed with oil?
More to Consider: The rod referred to in this psalm was a heavy cudgel the shepherd could use to stun or kill attacking beasts. The staff would have likely been the shepherd’s crook, which was used to assist the individual sheep. What symbolic purpose does each of these devices have for the “sheep” who are God’s children?
From the Commentary
Most commentators connect Psalm 24 with David’s bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6; 1 Chron. 15:1—16:3), and it may well be that David wrote it for that occasion. It appears to be an antiphonal psalm. The people (or a Levitical chorus) opened with verses 1–2; a leader asked the questions in verses 3, 8a, and 10a; and the chorus or the people answered with verses 4–6, 8b, and 10b. It was sung in Herod’s temple each Sunday, and some connect the psalm with our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday.
—Be Worshipful, page 98
9. How does this psalm take on unique significance by following the narrative of Psalm 23? What is the theme of this psalm? What three privileges does God give His people in this psalm? How is the shepherd presented in this psalm?
From the Commentary
Five times in Psalm 24 God is called the King of Glory. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd who will one day return in glory and give each faithful servant a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:1–4; and see Ps. 8:5; Job 19:9). The gates of Jerusalem opened outward, so what is meant by “be lifted up”? Certainly there would be plenty of headroom for the Levites to carry in the ark, and it wouldn’t be required to raise the lintels of the gates. Martin Luther translated it, “Open wide the portals,” that is, “Give a hearty welcome to the Lord!”
—Be Worshipful, page 100
10. Why is it significant that David refers to the “King of Glory” so many times in Psalm 24? How does the regal flavor of this psalm compare and contrast with the agrarian textures of Psalm 23?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Psalms 22—24. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. When have you cried out like the psalmist in the first half of Psalm 22? What experiences in your life have led you to wonder if God was far from you? How did you work through those times? What “glory” did you experience on the other side of the suffering?
12. How has Psalm 23 been a comfort to you? What verses from that psalm have had the most influence on your seasons of suffering? How has your understanding of the psalm’s meaning changed since you first heard it? What are some ways it applies to your life today?
13. What is your reaction to the grandeur and majesty of the praise in Psalm 24? In what ways do you see evidence that the world is the Lord’s? How does this affect your daily life? What does it mean to you that God is the “King of Glory”?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to seek comfort in a difficult time? Do you want to better understand what it means that God is the King of Glory? Be specific. Go back through Psalms 22—24 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Think about ways you can be an extension of the Good Shepherd described in Psalm 23. What are some practical ways you can be a comfort to those who are suffering? Once you have some ideas, put them into action.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Psalms 44—47. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read the related commentary in Be Worshipful.