He Restoreth My Soul

Psalm 23 is a very familiar Psalm and often quoted. I myself often quote this passage as I lie down at night, and have pondered the phrase He restoreth my soul.

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.

David wrote Psalm 23 in the present, continuing tense. It focuses on what God IS doing all the days of my life. The Lord IS my Shepherd. My Shepherd IS currently meeting my needs. He IS making me to lie down in green pastures and IS leading me beside the still waters. He IS restoring my soul and IS leading me in the paths of righteousness.

Warren Wiersbe believes the Psalm was written later in David’s life after he had experienced many difficulties while walking with the Lord. “While people of all ages love and quote this psalm, its message is for mature Christians who have fought battles and carried burdens.” (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Worshipful, p. 94). No matter our age or our maturity, there are times we need to be restored.

David knew about sheep from his own experiences. He knew the sheep were completely dependent upon the shepherd. They must be led, not driven as cattle. The shepherd seeks the best for his sheep, providing food and water, as well as protection from enemies.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. This indicates that there is sometimes a “forcible, compelling action” - such as breaking the leg of the sheep - because the sheep will not follow, going astray. Now the sheep is more dependent upon the Shepherd than ever.

A sheep that is hungry or thirsty will not lie down. He must first be fed in “the green pastures” and led to drink at a quiet watering hole. “There can be no spiritual strength sufficient to walk ‘in the paths of righteousness’ unless time is taken to ‘lie down’ in the ‘green pastures’ of the Word by ‘ the still waters’ of prayer.” (The Shepherd Psalm, p. 27)

The New Testament also speaks of our Shepherd. Jesus said, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep….I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.(John 10:11, 14) He knows me; He knows my name! How good it is when someone calls us by name.

He restoreth my soul… We may need to be restored because we have sinned. We have chosen to go our way believing it better than following the Shepherd. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way… (Isa. 53:6). The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked… (Jer. 17:9). However, our loving, gentle Shepherd is ready to forgive and restore our hungry, thirsty soul. “If we wander, He seeks us and restores us as He did with David, Jonah, and Peter.” (Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word, p 322).

Circumstances out of our control and life’s routines make us “heavy laden.” We each have different backgrounds, unique situations, and are in different seasons of life. The good news is that the Good Shepherd knows each of His sheep and their needs. He says to us, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28) A sermon note in my Bible explains: “labour” is to be emotionally weary. That probably describes all of us. Ponder Elijah after Mount Carmel in I Kings 19. He needed to be restored! God met his physical needs first.

Do you need an excuse for a nap? Here is permission from a college professor: “I am about as spiritual as I am rested. Sometimes the most godly thing I can do is take a nap.” (Jim Berg, personal email dated 2/27/2021). We don’t represent Christ well when we are tired and grumpy. Rest allows God to restore, replenish, and refocus our hearts and minds.

What else? We might wish for a getaway in the mountains or on the beach, but it is not necessary or may not fit the budget. But we can withdraw ourselves. Jesus Himself came apart to spend time with the Father because He was dependent upon Him to know His will. He also took his disciples to spend time with Him. How much more are we dependent upon our Shepherd!

We sheep just need to take time alone with God to read His Word and pray. Study to know God! Learn His names. Delve to grasp His character. Study a book of the Bible, a Bible character, a topic, His promises, and meditate on Him. Be in the Word! Cherish your time with God; make it a delight to know Him. Also, pour out your heart to Him; you won’t be telling Him anything He doesn’t already know. The power of the Word and refreshing of the Living Water restores our soul.

Sheep have very poor eyesight and recognize their shepherd by his voice rather than sight. How well have you learned the Good Shepherd’s voice? …he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him for they know his voice (John 10:4).

After our Shepherd restores our soul, He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He leads and is expecting obedient followers. He will lead us in the right places, in the right ways, and in the right time. We reach those places only by following him obediently.

What are the results? We have new focus. We have peace and contentment. We express praise and gratitude, and are prepared for His service. We do this for His name’s sake. God gets the glory!!

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory… (Psalm 63:1-2).

*****

When going through my dad’s library the last time I found a small booklet, “The Shepherd Psalm” A Meditation by William Evans published in 1921 by The Bible Institute Colportage Association. That was the year before my dad was born! I gleaned much information helping me understand He restoreth my soul and found it very helpful in writing this blog.