Psalm 23–#5 The Good Shepherd Restores

“He restores my soul”

Have you ever heard of a “cast sheep”? Or a “cast down sheep”? I hadn’t either until I studied Psalm 23. Phillip Keller explains it in his book A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm.

“Cast sheep” is an old English expression for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up by itself. Keller describes it this way.

“A cast sheep is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration.”

Keller makes the point that a good shepherd will daily check on his sheep, especially those who are prone to being cast sheep. Even the healthiest sheep can be a casulaty, especailly those who are heavier, fatter, and bigger.

Furthermore, the shepherd will not only lift up the sheep, but keep a sharp eye for predators that will harm the sheep. Buzzards, vultures, dogs, coyotes and cougars will prey on the cast sheep.

Jesus, The Good Shepherd, seeks the sheep when they go astray. When they’re lost and cannot find their way home. When they are cast down by the burdens of life, by adversity, trials, temptations, and hurt.

David not only knew about cast sheep but spoke about his soul being cast down when he was troubled and hurting. In Psalm 42:6 David cried, “O my God, my soul is cast down within me.”

In Psalm 43 we hear his cry once again, but also he expresses help and hope in restoring his soul.

Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

The Lord will restore our soul when it is wounded and cast down…

…by the wound of sorrow.
…by the wound of being wronged.
…by the wound of dismay.
…by the wound of discouragement.
…by the wound of despair.
…by the wound of physical illness.
…by the wound of loneliness.
…by the wound of rejection.
…by the wound of confusion.
…by the wound of frustration.
…by the wound of sin.
…by the wound of death.

The Good Shepherd comes along side of us to lift us up out of the pit of self-pity, mental anguish, emotional distress, and spiritual agony.

“He restores my soul.”

AI offers this description. “He restores my soul means that God, like a good shepherd, cares for and replenishes the deepest part of our being, bringing us back from spiritual weariness, pain, or sin, and guiding us towards a renewed sense of peace and wholeness; essentially, it signifies God’s ability to refresh and revitalize our spirit when we are feeling lost or broken.”

The Good Shepherd says…

• “I know my sheep…” (Jn 10:14).
• “Let not your heart be troubled…” (Jn. 14:1)
• “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27).
• “I will supply your every need” (Phil. 4:19).
• “Cast your burden upon Me, and I will sustain you” (Ps 55:22).
• “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Heb. 13:5-6).

“He restores my soul,” wrote the shepherd. As Max Lucado expressed it, “He doesn’t just reform; he restores. He doesn’t camouflage the old; He restores the new. The Master builder will pull out the original plan and restore it. He will restore vigor. He will restore energy. He will restore hope.”

“He restores my soul.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman