Do you have a favorite song? If you asked every Christian who ever lived from the time of Jesus until now to say their favorite psalm or song from the Bible, the most common answer would likely be Psalm 23. One reason people love this song is because of its beautiful words and the pictures those words paint. Can you picture yourself lying down in the greenest grass next to a quiet pool of clean blue water? Can you picture yourself having no fear whatsoever as you walk through complete darkness? Can you picture sitting down at a dinner table and God’s serving you your favorite meal and filling your cup to the brim (and beyond!) with your favorite drink? Can you picture dwelling with God forever and ever in a safe place where there is perfect peace, complete happiness, and no sin? How wonderful! Yes please!

A second reason people love this song is that King David wrote it. David wrote lots of psalms, but this one is extra special because it reminds us that as strong and successful as David was, he still needed God to lead him and watch over him every step of the way. As you think back to his story, you might remember that he was a shepherd boy when God called him to be Israel’s king. No wonder David wrote about God as his shepherd! David knew that he needed God’s help to lead, protect, and provide just like he used to do for his father’s sheep. And that is precisely what God did—for David and for God’s people.

The third reason people love this old song (it’s over three thousand years old!) is that it talks about truth. And these truths never change: God loves us. God provides for us. God leads us. Yes, it remains the most popular song in the Bible because it gives God’s people great confidence that we can trust in a good God who loves us, provides for us, and leads us. If the Lord is our shepherd, is there anything we need? No! We have it all.