For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Psalm 23 is the most loved poem in the Bible. King David wrote it. He used to be a shepherd, so he knew exactly what he was talking about.
Today's Story
Imagine you are a little sheep.
You wake up in the morning and your shepherd is already awake. He knows your name. He counts you to make sure you're there. He's done that every morning of your whole life.
He walks you to a green field where the grass is soft and there's a quiet little stream. You eat. You drink. You lie down. You don't worry about anything because you can see him standing right there.
Then it's time to walk to a new field. The path goes through a dark valley between two big hills. It's shady. It's a little scary. But the shepherd goes first, and he carries a stick to keep the wild animals away. So you're not afraid.
That night, in the new field, the shepherd makes you a kind of dinner table right there in the grass. He puts oil on your head where the bugs were biting. He fills your water bowl until it spills over.
And you think to yourself: I get to live with my shepherd forever.
That's the song King David wrote — only he wasn't talking about a sheep and a shepherd. He was talking about you and God.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- David says walking through the dark valley isn't scary because the shepherd is there. What's a “dark valley” in your life right now — something hard or worrying you?
- The shepherd in this song knows the sheep by name. How does it feel to know God knows your name and your favorite things and what makes you sad?
- If you could tell God thank You for one way He has taken care of you this week, what would it be?