1. Pastor Walker once told me, "Give us a sweet one once in a while." This psalm is very sweet!
2. Psalm 23 is the most beloved and widely read psalm in the Bible. Some would go further than this and say that it "is probably the best-loved poem in all literature" (William MacDonald).
3. It has been called "the centerpiece of Messianic trilogy":

PAST – PSALM 22 – The Suffering Saviour who died for our sins.
PRESENT – PS.23 – The Good Shepherd who takes care of His sheep.
FUTURE – PS.24 – The Sovereign King who is coming back.

4. Spurgeon called the 23^rd Psalm "David’s Heavenly Pastoral." "This is the pearl of Psalms whose soft and pure radiance delight every eye."

1. THE SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE – every need supplied (23:1).

1. Let me start off by saying that these blessings are not for everyone. Even though many unsaved people like this psalm, they cannot honestly say, "The LORD is my shepherd" (23:1).
2. It is true that the Good Shepherd died for all, but only those who are saved hear His voice and follow Him (cf. John 10:27-29).
3. The Good Shepherd provides everything we need, not necessarily everything we want. This includes true peace and contentment (23:2).
4. Sometimes we want to do things our way so God has to "make" us lie down in green pastures and "lead" us beside the still waters (23:2).
5. Sometimes this world gets so hectic, especially here in the NYC area. Sometimes we feel like we are going down Niagara Falls in a barrel, but God wants us to lead us beside the still waters.
6. He also leads us "in the paths of righteousness for His name sake" (23:3).
7. Notice also, "He restoreth my soul" (23:3). David probably wrote this psalm when he was older and knew what it was like to get away from the Lord. David backslid, terribly. But he was restored.
8. Not only does this psalm give us the secret of a happy life, it also gives us…

2. THE SECRET OF A HAPPY DEATH – every fear removed (23:4).

1. Many a saint have read these comforting words as they prepared to leave this world. Many learned it at a very early age in Sunday School and then threescore and ten years later it comforted them like nothing else possibly could.
2. If you are saved, the sting of death has been removed. The apostle Paul wrote that "the sting of death is sin," but the Lord Jesus Christ, our Great Shepherd, has removed the sting of death – if you are saved.
3. Therefore we can say, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (I Cor.15:55).
4. Notice that in verses 1-3, the Lord is referred to in the third person but now David says, "Thou art with me." He is getting personal. We must receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour.
5. Sometimes the Lord uses His rod, sometimes His staff (23:4). Sometimes He has to straighten us out and pull us back into the fold. Some of you students need the rod of correction. And if that does not work, then you will be suspended and perhaps even expelled.
6. People are so full of fears and anxieties, but the Good Shepherd looks out for His sheep (23:5). He will never leave us or forsake us.
7. He anoints our head with oil. In the Bible, oil is an emblem of the Holy Spirit.
8. Let me encourage you young people to go out and serve the Lord with all your heart. Your cup will "runneth over" (23:5b).
9. First we saw the secret of a happy life, and then the secret of a happy death, and finally…

3. THE SECRET OF A HAPPY ETERNITY – every blessing promised (23:6).

1. If you are right with God, goodness and mercy shall follow" you all (not some, but all) the days of your life (23:6).
2. And after being followed through life’s journey by goodness and mercy, we will finally reach our destination – "the house of the LORD," where we will dwell "for ever."
3. Some people think that when they leave this world they go to purgatory. The JWs teach that they will live eternally in a JW "Kingdom" right here on earth. The Mormons are looking forward to having their own planet. Some weird new-age types are hoping on being reincarnated or perhaps being transported by a UFO.
4. Some people say that you die and that is all there is. I saw a stupid bumper sticker that said, "Life is tough and then you die." No – for those without Christ, life is tough and then you die and go to hell.
5. But if you are saved, you "will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

CONCLUSION:

1. There was a famous hymn-writer named Philip P. Bliss. He worked with D.L. Moody and wrote many great songs – "Whosoever Will May Come," "Once For All," "Hold the Fort," "Hallelujah ‘Tis Done," "I Will Sing of My Redeemer," "Jesus Loves Even Me," and many others. He wrote the music to "It Is Well With My Soul."
2. When P.P. Bliss was a little boy in first grade he was very fond of his school teacher, Miss Murphy. She had the students memorize the 23^rd Psalm. Little Philip could not read yet, and he thought she was saying, "Surely good Miss Murphy shall follow me all the days of my life."
3. He really liked her so he got pretty excited. But I reckon he was even more excited when he found out what it really said.
4. I hope you are excited about the Good Shepherd.