Psalms 23:2,3 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

These are sweet verses. Jesus leads, and feeds, and waters. And this he doth night and day, lest any hurt. Feeding, takes in the whole employment of a Shepherd: Jesus hath knowledge of the persons of his sheepfold. He knows their wants, knows their situation, necessities, their diseases, sicknesses, infirmities, weaknesses, and, in short, all that concerns them. Reader, do not overlook these things. They must be well fed, well taught, well taken care of, that have Jesus for their shepherd. The Prophet hath given a particular account of this office of Jesus, and blessed it is to know it by experience. See Ezekiel 34:11, etc. But what I would particularly desire the Reader to keep in view, in this contemplation of Jesus as the Shepherd of his people, is the method by which Jesus doth all these gracious things. How doth he feed his flock? Surely with himself. He is the bread of life, the bread of God, which came down from Heaven. Now, by the blessed word of his gospel, which the Holy Ghost opens and applies to the believer's hearts, Jesus feeds them, nourishes them, comforts them, strengthens them, and so leads them on from day to day, that he becomes the very life of their soul, and their portion forever. Surely they are well fed, and well taken care of, to whom Jesus thus acts the part of a gracious, wise, and affectionate Shepherd.