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We move into a new year where more than ever; we need to strengthen our faith and trust in prayers and in the love of our Heavenly Father through our great blessing Jesus Christ and where He wishes to guide us for our benefit. One of the greatest examples of this trust was given by King David over 1,000 years before Christ was born into the world and has stood the test of time right through the Christian period right up until today. It is of course Psalm 23, known as the Shepherd’s Psalm. It was a prophecy for the Christian Church confirmed by Jesus Himself – John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

To get the full meaning and blessing from Psalm 23 we have to understand the role of a shepherd at the time the Psalm was inspired.

Israel at that time, and even today, was one of the few countries where the shepherds led their sheep from the front by calling to them. Most countries drive their sheep from behind. There were no fences, all open grazing. For safety, all shepherds came together in the evening and put their sheep in a safe sheepfold, which meant they mixed together. In the morning, each shepherd had a special call, some sang, some spoke, some hummed and some whistled. All the sheep knew their shepherds call and all broke up into their separate groups and followed the call of their shepherd. It still happens like that today. A shepherd’s life was a dedication, hard work nonstop, could only eat what he took with him or what God provided from plants. He must always watch for wild beasts, robbers; he could not take heavy armor but had to depend on a staff and rod or slingshot and smooth stones. They regarded the stones as the enemies of God and had to be slung away at an attacker. They had to be on the move to ensure the flock had pasture and water. If any were noticed going astray, they had to be helped back even carrying the new lambs or the old and injured with the help of the staff. At the end of the day the sheep were led back to a safe fold. As the sheep moved into the fold the shepherd took his rod and counted by lifting the rod over every sheep’s head to count them in. If any were missing, he hurriedly back tracked to find the lost sheep and bring them back to safety before standing guard during the night. We know King David had been a shepherd and knew what virtues were needed.

With this background let us now look at this Psalm to understand the prophecy.

1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6. 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.

Let us all cling to this trust during 2026 and share it with all who feel lost, feel they have gone astray. Point them to the Good Shepherd who has proven time and time again – Matthew 18:11 “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”