THE SHEPHERD AND THE FLOCK: A CRITICAL STUDY OF PSALM 23 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The Sheep is the most vulnerable of all domestic animals that will most likely never survive on its own without care and protection from a master Shepherd. Over the years Psalm 23 has inspired a lot of individual Christians. It has constantly given hope, assurance and guidance to many who have sought to draw inspiration from it as a source of protection from their enemies. This highly memorized Psalm by Christians continues to remain universally relevant because it has been acclaimed as a source of comfort to many. In Nigeria currently, we live in a situation in which many, if not most people are engulfed with fear and anxiety. Our mirages of problems are insurmountable. Some are afraid of what is going to happen at every moment in the future. Others fear as a result of what has happened in the past. Still many fear about the present. Anxiety has gripped their souls and they cannot imagine how to cope with the ugliness of the present circumstances in their lives and the society. Thousands of people each day wake up with untold burdens. “How then can Christians in Nigeria respond to all these anxieties of life?” like all the great questions of life, the Scripture affords us an answer. As a perfect example the life of David as depicted in Psalm 23 comes as a constructive and God-honouring way to respond. If we are vulnerable flock, we have a God who is the great Shepherd of our souls. This paper therefore seeks to examine this powerful passage so as to reveal the efficacy of the unconditional love that God has for mankind especially Christians in Nigeria by constantly meeting their needs during this period of dark valley experience in our national history.