[Unboxing Psalm 23: Treasures for Every Believer] Paths of RighteousnessSýnishorn

Cast Down, Wandered Off, Burned Out

In Psalm 42:11, David asks, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” Since we are talking about sheep and the Shepherd, it’s helpful to know that “cast down” is an old English term that means a sheep is turned over on its back. It can’t move or go anywhere. In that position, the sheep can hardly breathe. It can’t bleat or call out for help. If it isn’t restored to its right position within a reasonably short time, it will die. It has only one hope: the Shepherd.

There are three reasons why a sheep can get cast down. First, if it gets too comfortable. That sounds a lot like us if we pursue comfort in this world, or the American dream, rather than pursuing the Lord.

The second reason a sheep can get cast down is because its wool is too heavy; its fleece is too long. In the Old Testament, wool represented the world. We can be cast down by giving too much weight to the world in our lives. Pursuing worldly desires leads to death.

The third reason a sheep is cast down is when it becomes too heavy, weighing too much to stand, or even walk. Believers can become unhealthy and unproductive when we don’t pursue holiness, stop following the Shepherd, and thinking the job is done. We need the Shepherd to set us right. What Jesus does, as our Shepherd, is to lead us through tough times and encourage us to follow Him.

Also, if a sheep wanders into a private plot, it is forfeited to the owner of the land. The phrase “He restores my soul,” describes how the divine Shepherd brings us back and rescues us when we stray into forbidden and dangerous places, ones He tells us to flee from. That is what Jesus says, lovingly and carefully, in the parable of the lost sheep. A shepherd with a flock of 99 sheep leaves them behind so He can go in search of the lost sheep, and once He has found it, He rejoices.

“He restores my soul” also refers to the believer who finds himself spiritually debilitated, tired, burned out and needing restoration—not just refreshment. We see a beautiful example with Peter, that wonderful sheep. Jesus is cooking fish and calls over to the disciples. Peter jumps out of the boat and eagerly swims to shore, longing to be reconciled to the Lord, who welcomes him. By charging Peter to feed His sheep, Jesus is saying, “I have restored you.”

If we are cast down, have wandered off, or are burned out, the good Shepherd will look for us, seek to fully restore us, and bring us back into the fold.