It was said of Fred Astaire (the MGM musical dancing star) that he could make any partner look good. He was such a phenomenal dancer (and choreographer) that even the best dancing partners always looked even more amazing when they danced with him. That’s why it was said that he could make any partner look good . . . look better . . . look amazing. It’s what he did because of who he was.

That idea helps me grasp what David wrote in Psalm 23.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.”  (23:2, 3)

Listen to David’s words. He is not asking the LORD to do these things. He is not declaring his own faithfulness in following after God. He is observing and celebrating that because of who the LORD is, He does these things.

The LORD makes me lie down in green pastures. A picture of the shepherd’s intention to provide food and rest. He leads me beside quiet waters. A picture of the shepherd’s intention to provide the basic necessities for “lamb life” in a safe place. The LORD restores my soul. An image of the shepherd turning those in his care toward the life he wants for them.

Because of the kind of shepherd the LORD is, He does such things. He ensures the health of His sheep; He provides what they need. He continues to turn them to the best kind of life. He does this because of who He is.

If you were journeying through the book of Psalms, you would come across prayers and songs where the psalmist focuses on his attentiveness to the Lord, emphasizing the importance of following God closely. But that is not what is in view here. In this psalm, David celebrates his awareness of the LORD’s willingness, ability, and faithfulness.

The LORD makes him lie down, ensuring his rest. The LORD leads him beside quiet waters, ensuring he ends up at a place where his needs will be met. The LORD restores his soul, ensuring that not only his physical needs are met but the deepest needs of life are addressed.

There is something comforting in these words. We do not have to convince the LORD to lead us. We do not have to force Him to tend to us.

We do not have to plead with Him to shepherd us.