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Today’s song is “What if Psalm 23 was a Song” by Christian Paramedic
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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.”
Psalm 23 (KJV)
Part 2/3 of the “What if… was a Song?” Series
What if Psalms 23 Was a Song?
Today’s featured song, “What if Psalm 23 was a song?” was released by Christian Paramedic on Christmas Eve, 2025. “This song is part of a series of “What if… was a song?” in which he modernizes traditional scripture with the twist of a frontline-ready “paramedic” real-life content, presented through the lens of the Outlaw in a Gospel bluesy style.”
Psalm 23 has been used for centuries, set to various musical styles, to offer comfort and hope to the dying and to those in seasons of intense distress and uncertainty. It offers comfort in, through, and after (eternal) life as we know it.
Many biblical scholars believe that David wrote Psalm 23 not as a young boy but as an adult, drawing on his own life experiences and the highs and lows of his life.
He masterfully used symbolism and metaphors of the “shepherd” who fully understood the importance of providing necessary rest, refreshment, guidance, comfort, protection, and healing to the precious sheep under his watch.
As a shepherd himself, David knew firsthand when he wrote:
“The Lord is My Shepherd.” The shepherd would go before and lead his flock. He knew the importance of protecting his flock from lions, wolves, and other predators, as their survival depended on him.
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” The sheep’s survival depended on green pastures for nourishment and rest.
“He leadeth me beside still waters.” The shepherd would lead the sheep to calm waters, where easily agitated sheep would feel safe, enjoying the refreshing waters without drowning or being swept away by rushing currents.
“Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.” The rod, or club, was used to protect the sheep from wild animals that threatened them. The staff, a curved stick, was used to guide and gently pull the wayward sheep back from ledges, returning them to their paths and keeping them safe from danger.
“Thou anointest my head with oil.” The shepherd would use oil to heal wounds and as an insect repellent to prevent sickness and infection.
Psalm 23 is often referred to as a bridge between King David of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ of the New Testament.
The future Messiah was prophesied in, Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-16, and 23-24
Approximately 1000 years later, Jesus would fulfill the “Shepherd” role Ezekiel had prophesied.
Interestingly:
Both David and Jesus would share Bethlehem as their birthplace, a town strongly associated with shepherding.
Genealogy confirms that Jesus was both the legal and biological “Son of David.” This title affirms His right to the throne of David.
Although David wrote Psalm 23, I suspect he could not fully understand how the words would be fulfilled.
Although David walked through deep valleys of despair, Jesus would enter a literal valley of death on the cross for all His sheep.
Jesus would rise, and death would be transformed into a mere “shadow” without lasting hold on Him or His believers.
Finally, Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, would go before us and make provisions for a glorious eternity with our Lord and Saviour.
Jesus Christ fulfills “The Lord is my Shepherd.”
We find that Jesus is the direct fulfilment of Psalm 23, our personal Shepherd.
Where David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd,” Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
“I shall not want.” Jesus describes Himself as the Bread of Life and the source of Living Water, promising that we will have all we need. John 6:35
“He leadeth me.” “He restoreth my soul.” Just as a shepherd restores a fallen sheep, Jesus restores our souls through forgiveness and healing.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” As our shepherd, Jesus Christ offers spiritual nourishment and peace even in the most difficult times.
“Thou anointest my head with oil.” This is often understood as being chosen, set apart, and healed by the Holy Spirit from emotional wounds such as fear, depression, or shame.
“My cup runneth over.” This is often understood as God’s overflowing abundance of grace and joy, which are hardly contained.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” The word “follow” in its original Hebrew was radaph, which more accurately means “to pursue” or “to chase down.” Rather than following behind, God’s goodness and mercy actively pursue each of us. God relentlessly pursues us. This is also reinforced in the parable of the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep.
Luke 15:4-7
“I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” is further supported by Jesus’ claim that he has gone ahead to prepare a place in His Father’s house for each of us who claim Him as our personal Lord and Saviour.
John 14: 2-3
Today, are you:
Tired of trying to do things on your own?
Fearful of what your future holds?
Confused about the circumstances you find yourself in?
Lost and in need of a shepherd to find, heal, and direct you?
Our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, can offer all this and more.
Why not, at this very moment, call out to Him and listen for His voice, because He wants to establish a deep, personal relationship with You.
Jesus explains that “My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me,” and that He “Calls each of us by Name.”
John 10:1-21.
David pours his heart and soul into this beautiful Psalm, finding the promises of Psalm 23 throughout the journeys of his life. 2000 years later, here we are, in need of the very same promises from our Shepherd and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
May we find rest, refreshment, guidance, comfort, protection, an advocate, healing, a blessing, goodness, and mercy in Him today! The Lord is My Shepherd!
In Christ,
Lou-Anne
If this Song of Praise was a blessing and encouragement to you, if you know someone who needs comfort, encouragement or hope, or someone who loves to sing and dance with Contemporary Christian Music, please contact me.
What if Psalm 23 was a Song?
Lyric Highlights
“You pour all upon my wounds till the hurt begins to fade.
And the cup I thought was empty overflows with endless grace.
Surely goodness and your mercy have been running after me.
Through the storms I tried, I’ll run. Through the nights I couldn’t breath.”
“The Lord is my shepherd.
I shall not want.
He makes me lie in pastures green.
He leads my trembling heart beside the quiet waters.
He restores my weary soul.
Even in the darkest valley,
I am never alone for you are with me.
Your rod staff they bring me home.”
“All my life you carried me.
Even when I walked away,
goodness followed through my wondering.
Mercy met me in my shame.
And when this life is over, when I breathe my final side,
your hand will lift me gently to the house where I’ll abide.”
“The Lord is my shepherd forever at my side.
He leads me through the shadows into everlasting light.
Beside the quiet waters, he restores what life stole.
And even in my final valley, you will never let me go.
For you are with me.
Yes, you are with me. My shepherd”
May we grow together in the love of Christ to reflect upon the mercies and blessings upon our lives, to feel the presence of God’s living Holy Spirit through worship to sing, pray, laugh, dance, cry, but mostly to praise our Lord and Father as we were indeed created2praise.