David Wrote a Song about God

Psalm 23

Our story is found in the part, or book, of the Bible called Psalms.

The Bible tells us about many people. One person is David. David was a shepherd. A shepherd is a person who takes care of sheep.


David knew that his sheep got hungry every day. So, each day he would lead them to a field with lots of green grass. Sheep like to eat green grass. When the sheep got tired, they could lie down on the soft grass.


David also knew that his sheep got thirsty. So, every day he would lead his sheep to a cool stream for a drink.


David's stick is called a staff. David used it to lead his sheep around rocks in the paths. He stayed with them when they had to walk through dark, scary places.




Every night, David gathered the sheep and led them inside their stone fence to sleep. The sheep would be safe there.


One day, David thought about how he took care of the sheep. David also thought about how God took care of him. David knew that God was like a kind shepherd. David was like one of God's sheep. So, David wrote a song about God. It is Psalm 23 in the Bible.


David wrote, "The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need. He gives me food to eat. He gives me water to drink. He helps me rest when I am tired. I will not be afraid because God takes care of me wherever I go. He will love me all of my life. I will live with Him forever."


God took care of David. We are like God's sheep, just as David was. God takes care of you and me, too.


Bible Paraphrase: Trust in the LORD. (Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. – Psalm 37:3 NIV)

Text Truth: God takes care of you and me. 

Family Devotional

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. — Psalm 23:2-3

Meditate on Psalm 23:2-3. What does God give you? Consider both your physical and spiritual needs. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. — Psalm 23:4

Now look at verse 4. What does this verse say about God, especially in difficult times? 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. — Psalm 23:5-6

Reflect on verses 5-6. What do you get from your relationship with God? 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. — Psalm 23:1

Finally, look at verse 1. What does it mean to say the Lord is your Shepherd?

We are like the sheep who depend on their shepherd. We depend on the Lord for our survival. When we completely trust in our Shepherd, we "lack nothing" (verse 1). 

Completely trust in your Shepherd today for every part of your life. He cares for your every need. 


Activities You Can Do at Home


See Sheep, Up Close

Visit a sheep farm or a zoo this week to look at the sheep. Talk about when David took care of sheep, it reminded him of how God takes care of us. 


Read about Sheep and Shepherds

Read books about sheep and shepherds. Learn about how shepherds take care of their sheep. Just like shepherds take care of their sheep, God takes care of us. 


The Lord Takes Care of Me

Review the truths of Psalm 23 by singing about God's care to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell": 

The Lord takes care of me; 
the Lord takes care of me. 
He will give me food to eat; 
the Lord takes care of me.

Substitute other verses such as "He will give me water to drink" and "He will help me when I'm scared." 


Be a Shepherd

This week, encourage your child to act like a shepherd as he cares for pets or stuffed animals. Then remind him that God is like a shepherd to us. Review Psalm 23 and talk about God's care. 


Thank God for His Care

Use Psalm 23 as an outline for your prayers. Thank God for His care, as well as giving us food and water, mentioning specific ways He takes care of us and specific foods He gives us. Ask for God's help with a particular fear. 


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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.
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