Sermon-Psalm 23
https://georgeswebministries.com/blog
A Sermon on Psalm 23
“The Shepherd and the Two Dogs”
When King David wrote Psalm 23, he wasn’t sitting in comfort—he was writing from a life that had seen lions, bears, enemies, caves, betrayal, and failure. And yet he opens with these words:
“The Lord is my shepherd…”
Not a shepherd—my shepherd. Personal. Close. Known.
Now you mentioned something—that mercy and truth are like two dogs keeping the sheep from going astray. I’ll tell you this: that’s not written in Psalm 23 exactly as dogs, but the truth behind it? It’ll preach. Because at the end of the Psalm, David says:
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”
That word follow is powerful. It doesn’t mean casually walking behind—it means pursuing, even chasing. So let’s take that picture seriously.
🐑 The Sheep and the Shepherd
Sheep are not strong. They wander. They forget. They drift without even realising it. David knew this—because he wasone.
And God, as the Shepherd, doesn’t just lead from the front—He watches from behind.
That’s where your picture comes alive.
🐕 Mercy and Truth — The Two Keepers
Think of it like this:
- Mercy is the dog that doesn’t let you be destroyed when you go wrong
- Truth is the dog that doesn’t let you stay wrong
One keeps you from falling too far…
The other keeps you from living in deception.
And between them, the sheep is kept.
🔥 Make It Real
There are times in life when you drift.
You didn’t plan it.
You didn’t wake up and say, “Today I will go astray.”
But slowly—step by step—you move.
And then something happens.
- A word hits your heart
- A conviction rises inside
- A door closes
- A warning comes
That’s not chance.
That’s truth barking.
And when you deserve to fall… but you’re spared… when you should have been finished… but you’re still standing…
That’s mercy holding you.
🛑 The Valley Is Real
David said:
“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…”
Notice—he didn’t say run. He said walk.
Sometimes God doesn’t remove the valley.
He walks you through it.
And while you’re walking—
- Truth keeps you from losing your way
- Mercy keeps you from losing your life
🪵 The Rod and the Staff
David says:
“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Correction and guidance—both together.
Truth can feel like the rod—firm, correcting, straight.
Mercy feels like the staff—pulling you back, rescuing, holding you close.
You don’t need one without the other.
Too much “truth” without mercy crushes a man.
Too much “mercy” without truth ruins a man.
But God gives both—perfectly.
🍞 A Table in Trouble
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”
The enemies are still there.
But so is the Shepherd.
You’re not surviving—you’re being sustained.
🕊️ The Ending That Preaches
David doesn’t say:
“Goodness and mercy might follow me…”
He says:
“Surely…”
No doubt. No hesitation.
Like two faithful keepers, they stay on your trail—not to harm you—but to bring you home.
🙏 Final Word
So what do I think about what you were told?
I think it’s a picture worth holding onto.
Because if you belong to the Shepherd, you are never alone:
- The Shepherd leads you
- Truth corrects you
- Mercy keeps you
- And goodness follows you
Even when you wander…
Even when you fail…
Even when you don’t feel it…
You are being watched, guided, corrected, and carried.
And in the end—
You will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
GOD IS A GOOD GOD
GOD KNOWS GOD LOVES GOD CARES
WRITTEN FOR GEORGES WEB MINISTRIES
29th
April 2026