Psalms for Shepherds

Psalm 32 could be called a psalm of forgiveness. In this psalm David writes as if he hoped to instruct others about forgiveness and what he learned. 8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” 10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but un...

In Psalm 31 David teaches us to trust God when others do evil. To ask God for His mercy when others cause us pain. Giving God glory in every situation. 19 How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. 20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire a...

In Psalm 30 David talks about a series of new "beginnings." 11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalm 30:11-12 Dear shepherd leader, let this psalm remind us to allow the Lord to turn our moments of pride into humi...

Psalm 29 is a powerful Psalm of David. This is also a psalm of Hebrew poetry describing the majesty of God's voice. 3 The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. 5 The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He make...

Psalm 28 is a companion to Psalm 26. This is a difficult time for David. In the first five verses we read David's appeal to be heard. Perhaps David is learning that God's delay in answering is not necessarily God's denials. Then in the sixth verse David shifts to expressing unbounded praise. He goes from crying out to singing the praise of the Good Shepherd. 6 Praise the Lord! For he has heard my...

In the second half of Psalm 27, David shares the confidence he has in the Good Shepherd. David is patient, brave, and courageous. 7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! 8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” 9 Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me...

These powerful verses in this psalm were written before David was anointed king and in them he shares his trust in the Lord. 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surro...

In this psalm David talks to God about his personal righteousness. David was being slandered. He asks God to vindicate his reputation. 6 I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, 7 singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. 8 I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells. Psalm 26:6-8 NLT Shepherd leader, take a moment...

Psalm 25 is an acrostic. If we were to read this psalm of David's in Hebrew we would see every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In part 2 of this psalm (verses 8-22) David shows us that our God can be trusted and in fact trusting Him brings us victory. 8 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in d...

Psalm 25 is an acrostic. If we were to read this psalm of David's in Hebrew we would see every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This psalm shows that life is a difficult journey and we need our Good Shepherd. In part 1 of Psalm 25 we will look at the first 7 verses. 1 O Lord, I give my life to you. 2 I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies...

David's Psalm 24 is the third in the trilogy of the Shepherd Psalms. In this psalm we see the Chief Shepherd returns in glory to reward His sheep. 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. 2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Psalm 24:1-2 NLT These 10 verses are broken down into three sections: we are...

David's Psalm 23 is a well known psalm that most of us can probably quote by memory because we have heard or read it numerous times. This psalm is the second in the trilogy of the Shepherd Psalms. In this psalm we see the Shepherd in the pasture, in the valley, in the fold and we see Him in the Father's house. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing...

David's Psalm 22 is often called the Psalm of the Cross. This psalm prophetically speaks about Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, dying for the sheep. 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one I...

In the 13 verses of Psalm 21 David speaks in the third person about the day of rejoicing. 1 How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord! He shouts with joy because you give him victory. 2 For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested. Interlude Psalm 21:1-2 NLT Our challenge is, do we rejoice as shepherd leaders as the way David did in Psalm 21? When God give...

In Psalm 20 David speaks of his confidence. Not in himself, but in God. 6 Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power. 7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. 8 Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:6-8 NLT Davi...

In Psalm 19 David declares who God is. 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2 NIV Then David shows our need for God. Our weakness and inadequacies. 12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Psalm 19:1-2 NIV David concludes Psalm 19 by pra...

As we finish Psalm 18 we'll read from verses 46 through 50. David praises and thanks God for His faithfulness. "You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever." Psalm 18:50 NLT The beauty of this Psalm is encapsulated in these final five verses, shepherd leader. God delivers us when we call on Him. He rewards us as we obey...

Continuing in this third part of Psalm 18 we'll read from verses 28 to 45. We see David illustrate how God equips us when we submit to Him. "God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted...

Psalm 18 is a beautiful psalm of praise and victory after the Lord made David king over all of Israel. You can look at this story in Second Samuel 22. Continuing in this second part of Psalm 18 we'll read from verses 19 to 27. We'll see how God rewarded David when he obeyed Him. "To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself p...

Psalm 18 is a beautiful psalm of praise and victory after the Lord made David king over all of Israel. You can look at this story in Second Samuel 22. We'll divide this 50 verse psalm into four parts beginning with verses 1 to 18 which speaks about God's delivery when we call on Him. "I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom...

Psalm 17 is a prayer of David In this prayer David asks God for vindication, protection, and then declares his salvation. "By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants." Psalm 17:14 NLT Like David does in his prayer, may we as shep...

Psalm 16 is King David's deeply personal and precious song engraved in gold. "Because you are close to me and always available, my confidence will never be shaken, for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment. My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory! Even my body will rest confident and secure. For you will not abandon me to the realm of death, nor will you allow your Holy One...

"Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?" Psalm 15:1 NLT Psalm 15 describes how we should live; it is not a prescription about how to be saved and have eternal security. It is simply a description how we should live as shepherd leaders when we accept and follow Jesus Christ as our Savior. Jesus came to this world and lived a perfect and sinless life,...

We have all sinned. Sin is universal, but grace is also universal if we choose to accept it. All that's required is this beautiful trusting faith in Jesus Christ. "The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God." Psalm 14:2 (The New Living Translation) If you know someone today, dear shepherd leader, who doesn't believe and tr...

This small, but powerful psalm of David shares his prayer for help, but also his ultimate trust in the Good Shepherd. "But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me." Psalm 13:5-6 (The New Living Translation) When there are difficult moments in our lives as shepherd leaders that no matter what is happening we can sa...