Westhill Church - Auburn & Federal Way, WA

The WEekly Word

A Blog of Encouragement from our Pastors

weekly word – 5/07/2026

The LORD is My Shepherd

Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar passages of Scripture. It is one that many, believers and unbelievers alike, turn to when they are faced with affliction. Reading this psalm tends to bring hope and peace to the reader who is often seeking rest, guidance and safety in the midst of the storm they find themselves in. This psalm portrays God as a comforting and protective Shepherd instead of a distant deity.

As we know, this psalm was written by King David. He was a shepherd boy in the fields of Bethlehem long before he became king. He had first-hand knowledge and experience of the responsibilities of a shepherd. His understanding and depth of the meaning of these six short verses far surpasses the average reader. I have read this psalm many times for myself and even to others, but I have learned to slow down and appreciate it more for the purpose that King David wrote it and how it served him in his time of need.

It warrants reading the first five words slowly and with deeper thought: "The...LORD...is...my...shepherd." When we meditate on these words alone, we get a much better understanding of the entire psalm. It gives a deeper meaning and greater significance of the LORD as our good and great Shepherd.

"THE LORD is my shepherd." The first thing we see is the preeminence of God. It doesn't speak of "a lord" as my shepherd. It says, "The LORD is my shepherd." There is only one LORD! He stands alone, with no other peer. The Hebrew word translated here is YAHWEH. The Jews regarded this name as so holy, and stood in such awe of it, that they would not even say it publicly. We need to recognize the truth of these first two words in this psalm, The LORD. Our God is still preeminent, the one and only LORD.

"The LORD IS my shepherd." The second thing this first line shows is the ever presence of the LORD. There is so much significance to this little two-letter word, IS. Our great and preeminent LORD is with each one of us right now, as you read this. He is ever present with us. It doesn't say the LORD "was" or "will be" my shepherd. He does not come and go, and His presence is not past or future tense. He is and will always be with us as our shepherd. When God called Moses from a burning bush to face Pharaoh (Exodus 3:14), Moses asked who he should say had sent him. God replied, "I AM WHO I AM, thus you shall say, 'I AM has sent me to you'". The LORD is still the I AM for us today. We don't refer to Him as the great "I WAS" just as Adam would not have referred to Him as the great "I WILL BE". King David spoke of the LORD's ever-presence in the initial verse of Psalm 46, "God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in time of trouble." He is always with us, "even in the valley of the shadow of death." We have the assurance and comfort of knowing that we are never truly alone.

"The LORD is MY shepherd." The third thing King David points out is how the LORD is personally ours. We need to recognize this personal relationship we have with the LORD. The fact that the God of this universe is personally concerned with each one of us is beyond my comprehension. He chose each one of us by name before He sent His Son to give His life for us. That's the nature of my great Shepherd. Unfortunately, not everyone can call Him "my Shepherd." Only those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ as LORD can have this intimate relationship of Shepherd and sheep. Jesus said in John 10:27-28, My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.”

"The LORD is my SHEPHERD." The fourth thing we see is the fact that over a thousand years after King David penned the words in this psalm, there came One who said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep" John 10:11. Our Shepherd is protective and provides for all our needs. This is the very nature of a good shepherd. The shepherd keeps a constant vigil for any threat or danger to his sheep. Without a shepherd, sheep are virtually helpless, not able to defend themselves from a predator. If you've ever observed a shepherd with his sheep, you will notice that the shepherd is alway out in front of the sheep. Shepherds lead sheep. They do not drive them from behind as cattlemen do with their cattle. The shepherd leads and the sheep follow. A good shepherd always provides for his sheep. The phrase "I shall not want" emphasizes this promise of complete provision by our Shepherd.

As we read and meditate on the 23rd Psalm, let us recognize and appreciate the fact that our great God is preeminent, present, personal, and protective to each one of us. Indeed, "The LORD is my shepherd”.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.

He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.

He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name's sake.

Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff--they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live.”

Pastor Bryan

4/30/2026 – Introduction to Isaiah 13-35 – David

4/23/2026 – Our Contemplation of God – Bryan

4/16/2026 – The Future Salvation of Israel (Isaiah 12) – David

4/9/2026 – The Wrath of God – Bryan

4/2/2026 – The Messiah's Work (Isaiah 11:6-16) – David