In “The Twenty-Third Psalm,” the author states “The Lord is my shepard; I shall not want”(line 1). King David who wrote this psalm grew up as a shepard. He knew about keeping watch of flocks and taking care of sheep. King David thought of the Lord as a shepard and his people as the sheep, because the Lord takes care of each person and never lets them fall astray. In this poem the author uses a shepard and a sheep, a staff, and a table to express figurative language.
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The first thing that is introduced in this poem is the Lord is referred to as a shepard who never lets anything hurt or harm his sheep. The shepard always leads the sheep in the right direction that they need to go. King David states “He maketh me lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” (lines 2-3) Sheep need plenty of water and grass for grazing and eating. King David is stating that the Lord will prepare all of the food, water and nourishment that his people will need. King David also states “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (lines 4-5) King David is expressing that when the Lords people are going through difficult times, he will restore them and be there to direct them in the path that they need to go.
The second thing that is evident in this poem is a staff that is referred to as a guide. King David states “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (line 8) A shepard uses a staff to guide his sheep and not let them fall astray from the flock. King David expresses that the Lord will guide his people when they are going through a hard time. When most people go through a hard time they tend to fall astray from what they know is right. The Lord will protect his people when they from falling astray of where they are supposed to be. The Lord will also comfort his people when all is against him. The Lord will always be there when no one else is.
The last thing in this poem is the table referred to as the Lord providing and satisfying his people. King David states “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies” (line 9) In this phrase King David expresses that even when there is enemies and struggles coming, the Lord will still provide for his people. It also states that even though enemies will attack and defeat the Lord will still comfort his people. When the Lords people fall astray from the path that they are supposed to be on, he guides them back just like the shepard would.
Like a shepard the Lord will always prepare for all that his people need. The Lord will lead his people in the direction that they need to go like a shepard would. The Lord will also guide his people when they are going through difficult times and direct them back to the path that they need to be on. Even when the Lords people have everything against him, he will still provide and comfort them. King David uses many examples to express how the Lord will always take care and guide his people.
