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The Lord is my shepherd,I will not be in need.2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside [a]quiet waters.3 He restores my soul;He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For the sake of His name.

Verse 1:

In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep (1 Samuel 16:10, 11). Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. The New Testament calls Jesus the good shepherd (John 10:11), the great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20), and the Great Shepherd (1Peter 5:4). As the Lord is the good shepherd, so we are his sheep---not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead us in the right places and in right ways, This psalm does not focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep but on the discipleship qualities of those who follow. When you recognize the good shepherd, follow him!

Verse 2,3

When we allow God, our shepherd, to guide us, we have contentment. When we choose to sin and go our own way, however, we cannot blame God for the environment we create for ourselves. Our shepherd knows the “green pastures” and” still streams” that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following him obediently. Rebelling against the shepherd’s leading is actually rebelling against our own best interests. We must remember this the next time we are tempted to go our own way rather than the shepherd’s way. 

--- Life Application Study Bible notes