Psalm 23 (22):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To those afflicted by greed, we must encourage patience in the face of avarice. While the greedy may take from you, they ultimately harm themselves; they may strip you of your possessions, but in doing so, they forfeit the grace and assistance of God. The one who is cut off from divine favor, regardless of their material wealth, remains the most destitute; conversely, the person who lacks worldly riches yet possesses God's grace is truly the wealthiest. "The Lord," as the Psalmist writes, "is my Shepherd; I shall lack nothing." Now, consider this: if you had a remarkable and loving husband who cherished you and were assured of his eternal life, alongside the promise that all he owned would be yours to manage as you please, would you still yearn for anything more? Even in the absence of all that is earthly, would you not feel rich? What, then, is the source of your sorrow?

The Lord Jesus Christ guides me as my shepherd and will ensure that I lack nothing.

Reflect on the comprehensive connection of the terminology presented in Scripture. When he distanced himself from the Word of God, he lost his understanding, and the adversary seized him. Having turned away from God's Word and rendered himself voiceless, the enemy captured him like a sheep without a shepherd, delivering him to the grave and consigning him to the domain of death. Consequently, he who has been rescued from the grave and liberated from the wicked shepherd proclaims: The Lord is my shepherd; He leads me not toward death, but toward life, not toward despair, but toward restoration, not toward falsehood, but toward truth.

A psalm attributed to David. This psalm is sung in honor of the Gentiles, expressing their joy in the Lord's provision for them, and it also reflects on the enigmatic feast bestowed upon them by the one who cares for them. The Lord is my shepherd. Those who are guided by Him are lifted up in reverence to the Lord.

The Lord will guard my life and withhold nothing from me. You will place me in a haven away from harm and lift me up from the depths. The Lord Himself, acting as our Shepherd, provides for us and ensures we lack nothing essential for our salvation. Silent sheep are often led to waters in lush pastures. The Lord guides His flock, the Orthodox Christians, within the confines of His one, holy, cathedral Church, while monastics dwell in the sanctity of monasteries. He abundantly nourishes us all with the teachings of His Divine words. The water of peace refers to the waters of Holy Baptism, through which, when we are baptized as infants, we are cleansed from our parents' sins, and when adults are baptized, their own transgressions are washed away.

This psalm shares a similar message to those we have previously examined. In the earlier psalm, the Prophet stated, ‘They shall eat of the ubozias, and be filled, and shall praise the Lord to them that seek Him’ (Psalms 21:27), and further declares, “They shall eat and worship all the fat of the earth” (Psalms 21:30). Here, he identifies the source of such nourishment and refers to this source as the shepherd. The Lord Christ also referred to Himself in this manner: ‘I am the good shepherd: and I know My sheep, and am known by My own’ (John 10:14). He similarly described Himself through the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 34:13ff.). Consequently, all who have partaken of this life-giving sustenance proclaim, ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,’ for this Shepherd provides His followers with abundant goodness.

A psalm attributed to David, inspired by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the nations. The Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall have no need. As stated by Christ in the Gospel, I am the good shepherd (John 10:14). He discovered the Gentiles lost and vulnerable like sheep in dangerous territories and guided them into the sanctuary of the Church, where He nurtures and cares for them. Consequently, each of these Gentiles, in recounting His blessings, expresses gratitude to the Lord with these words: The Lord provides for me; therefore, I lack nothing essential or beneficial for my sustenance and salvation.

From sorrow to celebration In the twenty-first psalm, we reflect on the suffering of the cross, yet in the twenty-second psalm, we discover the joy of the resurrection.

Revitalization through grace The psalm expresses that, having discarded his prior state of decay, the individual is renewed by water and Spirit as a devoted believer. He offers thanks for being led out of the barren land of sin by the Lord's grace into lush pastures and the waters of renewal. It is noteworthy that just as he once embraced the ten commandments of the law, he now joyfully accepts the ten declarations of grace, which are conveyed not in a single line, but through an entire song.

Let us cultivate a reverence for God and strive to be righteous in His presence, for that is all that is required of us! Let us cast aside all distractions. The Lord is attentive to our needs. His Providence provides for us, offers us unforeseen support, rescues us from peril, encourages our pursuit of goodness, alleviates the weight of the trials that are a part of existence, rejoices in our sorrows, comforts us in our moments of despair, and imbues us with sacred expectations. May His divine hand lead our paths; as we follow His commandments, let us express our heartfelt gratitude and proclaim with the psalmist: “The Lord watches over me, and will deprive me of nothing. In a place of evil, dwell thou me there.” (Psalm 22:2).

In this psalm, the Prophet exalts the ineffable grace of God towards His chosen ones. The psalm attributed to David states, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." This line illustrates the well-being of God's elect, akin to sheep guided by a benevolent shepherd. David, identifying with them, proclaims, "The Lord provides for me; I will lack nothing." This suggests that he sees himself as a sheep under the care of an omnipotent, wise, and benevolent Shepherd. Therefore, he affirms, "I shall lack nothing." This sentiment is particularly resonant for those journeying through life, filled with hope.

This psalm is believed to have been composed by David in the latter stages of his life, as it reflects numerous experiences of divine kindness and expresses a profound sense of peace. It was initially crafted to honor the nurturing guidance God provided David amidst his struggles and to illustrate the unwavering, childlike faith in the Lord that permeated the psalmist's heart. This trust stemmed from many encounters with God’s mercy, and it is likely that the entire community of Israel subsequently adopted this psalm for worship, thinking of the Lord as their Shepherd and themselves as His flock.

This psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by David, expresses the proclamation of Christ the Lord, who is the good shepherd as stated in John 10:14. Through His grace, He has gathered the wandering sheep, humanity, and led them to the nourishment of His incarnation and the waters of holy baptism, as noted by Cyril of Jerusalem. For centuries, this psalm has been included in the prayers of those preparing for Holy Communion. The good shepherd is none other than Christ the Savior, while the blessed flock represents the Gospel truth, through which those who partake are enriched with all good things, as explained by Athanasius and Theodoret.