Ps 23 and the Lord's prayer
1. Psalm 23:1 — “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”
Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name”
The shepherd is not just a provider; He is a Father whose name is holy, complete, and lacking nothing. To say “I shall not want” is to say, “Your name is enough.” It is trust in His character as Father and Shepherd.
2. Psalm 23:2 — “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters”
Lord’s Prayer: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
The green pastures and still waters are not merely rest—they are the peace of submission to the Father’s will. Lying down is surrender. Being led is obedience. Heaven’s will is peace—He brings us to it.
3. Psalm 23:3 — “He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake”
Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread”
Restoration is life from death, and the “daily bread” is Christ Himself—given to restore us.
The “path of righteousness” is the journey fed by this bread, walking as He walked.
His name is hallowed (v.1), His will is peace (v.2), and His food restores us to walk rightly.
4. Psalm 23:4 — “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil”
Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”
The valley is temptation, suffering, and death.
Yet we are not led into it to be lost, but led through it to be delivered.
Christ was not spared the valley—He entered it so we could walk without fear.
5. Psalm 23:4b — “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me”
Lord’s Prayer: “Deliver us from evil” (continued)
The rod (correction) and staff (guidance) are the tools of deliverance.
They are not fearful—they are comfort, because they show we are not abandoned.
The prayer to be delivered is answered through discipline and direction.
6. Psalm 23:5a — “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”
Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”
At the table, enemies are present—but they are not destroyed.
They are forgiven.
To eat together in the presence of enemies is a declaration that peace has triumphed over wrath.
The table is a picture of mutual forgiveness, not conflict.
7. Psalm 23:5b — “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows”
Lord’s Prayer: “Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory”
The oil is kingship, priesthood, and joy. The overflowing cup is abundance of grace and Spirit.
The declaration that the kingdom, power, and glory belong to God is the interpretation of the overflowing cup:
everything flows from Him and returns to Him in glory.
8. Psalm 23:6 — “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”
Lord’s Prayer: Entire petition culminated
Mercy and goodness are not earned—they follow as the fruit of being led by the Shepherd-Father.
Every petition in the Lord’s Prayer is a response to that mercy:
His name → hallowed;
His will → followed;
His bread → received;
His forgiveness → extended;
His kingdom → declared.
It is a life lived under mercy.
9. Psalm 23:6b — “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”
Lord’s Prayer: “On earth as it is in heaven”
The house of the Lord is not a temple—it is union with the Father, through the Son.
To dwell forever is to be at home in Him, where heaven touches earth.
“On earth as it is in heaven” is not wishful—it is fulfilled in Christ, who makes the house of the Lord within us.
Summary Table:
| Psalm 23 | Lord’s Prayer | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| The Lord is my Shepherd | Our Father in heaven | Trust in the Father’s character and name |
| Green pastures / still waters | Your kingdom come, Your will be done | Submission to His will brings peace and rest |
| He restores my soul | Give us this day our daily bread | Christ’s life is our daily restoration |
| Walk through the valley | Lead us not into temptation | Trials are endured, not avoided |
| Rod and staff comfort | Deliver us from evil | His guidance and discipline rescue us |
| Table before enemies | Forgive us / we forgive others | The enemy at the table is now reconciled |
| Anointing and overflowing cup | Yours is the kingdom, power, glory | Royalty, abundance, and glory are given to and through Christ |
| Mercy follows me | The whole prayer is mercy | Grace leads and follows the life of the beloved |
| Dwell in the house forever | On earth as it is in heaven | The presence of God is no longer far, but fulfilled in union |
