Jehovah Rohi, The Lord My Shepherd

Since last month, I’ve been navigating a turbulent sea of physical and emotional challenges that have truly tested my resilience. These struggles have made it hard for me to guard my heart and shield myself from the world’s burdens. This week, I consciously decided to stop crying and complaining; instead, I chose to open my heart to the Lord and earnestly seek His healing. In that moment of vulnerability, the Holy Spirit gently led me to the comforting words of Psalm 23. I have to admit, I felt a bit bewildered. Throughout my life, my parents and grandmother recited this beloved Psalm daily, and its verses are ingrained in my memory. Yet, I realized that I hadn’t fully grasped its deeper meanings and profound truths.

 

Psalm 23:1-3 opens with a powerful declaration: “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” This statement is packed with promise and conviction. David boldly calls the Lord his Shepherd, using the present tense. He doesn’t say “was” or “will be,” but instead asserts a timeless truth—one that holds weight even when his situation seems bleak and uncertain.

 

This reflection made me think deeply about what it truly means to trust God. I recalled when I first accepted Jesus as my “Lord and Savior.” Like many people, I initially entrusted my eternal salvation to Him, believing He would rescue me from hell. But did I also trust that He would guide me through life’s storms, protect my loved ones, and heal my wounds? We have faith in Him for our eternal future, yet why do we struggle to believe that He will tend to every intricate detail of our lives?

 

As I continued to meditate on Psalm 23, I discovered insights in its verses that resonated within me. When David proclaims, “The Lord is my shepherd,” he introduces the idea of God as his personal guide. In Hebrew, the word for Shepherd is “Rohi,” revealing one of God’s names—”Jehovah Rohi, the Lord my Shepherd.”

 

“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,” reads Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV).

 

To truly understand these verses, it’s essential to know a bit about sheep. Why is this important? Throughout the Scriptures, the Jewish people and followers of Jesus are often likened to sheep, with God as our Shepherd.

 

There’s something fascinating about the relationship between shepherds and sheep. A shepherd’s primary role is to guide his flock, as sheep are known to wander and become easily distracted. Without guidance, they often stray—especially in unfamiliar territory. Shepherds lead their sheep to still waters because sheep have a natural fear of rushing streams, which can lead to drowning.

 

This analogy reflects our human experience. Looking back, I can identify numerous times I’ve strayed from the right path, making choices that took me off course. Thankfully, we serve a God who never abandons us. Jehovah Rohi, our Shepherd, lovingly guides us along the right path, offering direction, protection, and care.

 

You might be wondering, isn’t Jesus known as our Good Shepherd? Absolutely! He is indeed our Good Shepherd; however, in the Old Testament, God was not yet revealed as Jesus. The incarnation of Jesus came later as part of God’s divine plan for salvation.

 

“Even though I walk through (emphasis added) the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me,” states Psalm 23:4.

 

Did you know that valleys are the low-lying areas nestled between towering mountains? These valleys often present various risks and challenges, especially for sheep. The shadows cast by the high mountains can create an atmosphere of darkness and uncertainty. At night, dangers multiply, with predators like wolves and lions lurking, waiting to strike.

 

In verse four, David reassures us that even as we walk through those daunting valleys—dark places overshadowed by death—Jehovah Rohi, our faithful Shepherd, walks alongside us. His rod and staff provide comfort, protection, and security, no matter the struggles we face. Here is something that resonated with me: David said, “Even though I walk through the valley of shadow and death…” The keyword is “through.” God never said we would not go through hardship or experience sorrow, but that we would go through the valley. He promised to be with us.

Let’s be honest—most of us prefer to stay on the mountaintops, in safe and peaceful places, rather than confront the troublesome valleys of hardship and fear. But as the powerful song “Graves Into Gardens” by Elevation Worship featuring Brandon Lake reminds us, the God of the mountain is also the God of the valley.

 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent much of my life navigating those valleys, with only occasional mountaintop moments. Looking back, I can see my Shepherd guiding and shielding me every step of the way. There has never been a moment when Jehovah Rohi—who is also known as Jesus—was not at my side. It’s in those valleys that I’ve truly come to know His presence and love.

 

Reflection:

In the opening verses of Psalm 23, David beautifully conveys how Jehovah Rohi, the Lord who shepherds him, restores his soul, no matter the challenges he faces.

 

First, when he says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” it’s not just a casual suggestion or something that David decides to do on his own. Rather, it reflects God gently guiding David to pause, let go of control, and place his full trust in Him. There are times when God doesn’t change our circumstances because He is patiently waiting for us to release our grip on trying to manage everything ourselves, encouraging us to surrender the burdens we carry. I know this to be true in my life.

Is there something in your life or heart that you’re clinging to, and is the Lord your Shepherd urging you to let go, surrender, and allow Him to take the lead?

 

Second, when David says, “He leads me beside quiet waters,” it underscores that sheep tend to shy away from rushing streams, which can easily spook them and leave them feeling overwhelmed by the swift currents.

Are you currently facing anxiety or restlessness? Would you be willing to allow your Shepherd to lead you to a place of complete surrender and let Him navigate you through it?

 

Prayer:

Jehovah Rohi, my Lord and my Shepherd, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for Your unwavering patience and love. As I reflect on my life’s journey, I am reminded of the countless times You have been my refuge and fortress. Like David, I can see the times You have stood as my protector, guiding me through the storms and uncertainties that have challenged me. I am truly grateful for Your sheltering presence that has comforted me even in my darkest moments.

Lord, I ask that You help me to keep my focus steadfastly on You. Remind me that I am one of Your precious sheep, completely reliant on Your guidance to navigate this journey. Without Your direction, I feel lost and overwhelmed. I yearn to fully experience the peace that comes from lying down in green pastures and sipping from the still waters that You provide. However, I understand that to truly know Your rest, I must surrender every aspect of my life to You—every fear, every piece of pain, and every heartache must be laid at Your feet.

It is only through relinquishing control and allowing You to lead me that I can find true rest and restoration. Lord, when memories of past hurts or physical pains arise to disturb my peace, remind me of the truth that I am whole in You. There is nothing missing and nothing broken in my life, for through Your finished work on the cross, I have been made complete and righteous.

In Your precious name, I offer my praise and thanks, knowing that You are always with me, guiding me towards a place of tranquility and wholeness. Amen.

 

 

Reference:

Schmidt, D. (2023). Herd of Sheep [Photograph].[Personal Collection]

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.