There was a time when Psalm 23 was perhaps the most recognized part of the bible. It was often read as a word of comfort during times of tragedy or mourning. It is indeed a beautiful, poetic passage that evokes mental images of a peace, beauty and security. But what if there is more to it than poetic imagery? I believe it is real.

When understood in context of Revelation 7:9-17, it’s far more than poetic musing for the sake of our meditation. I would suggest that Psalm 23 is actually prophetic and gives us a glimpse into a part of the reality of God’s kingdom; a small taste of the reality that is coming for those who belong to Christ. Remember a core principle of biblical prophecy: fulfillment of prophecy in the Bible is always literal.

Take a minute to read through the following verses below.

Revelation 7:9-17

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;

10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,
“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

12 saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”

14 I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His  temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.

16  They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat;

17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the  water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

New American Standard Bible, The Lockman Foundation

The Lamb (Jesus) in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. Now take a look a at the 23rd psalm.

Psalm 23

A PSALM OF DAVID.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

New American Standard Bible, The Lockman Foundation

This passage is clearly describing a future scene around the throne of God. This is a group of people who have come to faith in Christ during the great tribulation, a terrible time coming soon upon the earth. In the final 3.5 year period, people are killed by the forces of Antichrist as they trust in Messiah and reject the mark of the beast. More about this perhaps in a later post, or I would recommend you do some research about the term “Great Tribulation”. It’s coming.

(Incidentally, the mark is not rolled out until the start of the great tribulation. Anyone who takes the mark is destined for the lake of fire (Rev 14:9-11). So if you find yourself still alive on the earth when the mark is required, DO NOT take the mark. It’s far better to believe in Messiah and die, knowing that it’s a martyr death that will be rewarded rather than take the mark and end up in the lake of fire forever.)

Verse 17 of the Revelation passage dovetails with Psalm 23:1-2. There is reference to the Lord as shepherd and also reference to waters. In Revelation, it is the water of life. In psalm 23, it is the still waters. Companion verses describing the same thing? In my opinion, yes. Verses 15 and 16 of Revelation package nicely with Psalm 23:1-2, 5-6.

There are a few prophetic aspects of Psalm 23, but the one I will touch on here is very simple: the green pastures and quiet waters. This is not poetic imagery, it’s real. So pulling together some characteristics of the fulness of God’s kingdom:

• The Holy City, a fantastic, multidimensional city the size of the current nation of Israel
• The garden of Eden in the middle of the city
• The tree of life
• The throne of God and of the Lamb
• Open gates for the righteous, the redeemed of the Lord
• The structure of the nations intact upon the earth
• People of every ethnicity
• No more evil and deception, no more pain and human suffering, no more forced shots or pestilence, no more death
• The kings of the nations which implies an administrative hierarchy, a ruling structure in place
• No raging, chaotic sea, but instead there will be the still waters, apparently the water of life
• Green pastures
• And all of this lasting forever and ever

This is only a small part of the final reality for God’s people. It’s coming soon. Everything humans have ever hoped for provided without cost to us. No chaos, no climate change, no COVID, no smash and grab, lawlessness, violence, injustice, deception. Only righteousness in the presence of God. Humans cannot make this happen, only God can. And he will.

I hope you see the connection between the throne of God and psalm 23. The reality coming for God’s people, those who have trusted in Christ, is amazing. I hope to see you there.