For decades, the 23rd Psalm has been the somber soundtrack of American mourning. Its ancient verses are recited at gravesides, whispered in hospital rooms, and depicted in film as the final benediction for the departed. But according to Rev. John Burger of Adel, Iowa, relegating these six verses solely to moments of death misses their profound vitality for the living.
Rev. Burger, a seasoned theologian and the Missionary at Large for Metanoia Ministries, argues that King David’s famous song is not merely a comfort for the dying, but a radical invitation to the living. It is, at its core, an evangelistic manifesto that redefines identity, provision, and purpose in a post-Christian world.
The Boldness of a Covenant Relationship
The cultural familiarity of the Psalm often dulls its shocking opening claim: “The Lord is my shepherd.” Rev. John Burger, formerly of Faith Lutheran in Adel, points out the audacity of this possessive language. In a world where individuals struggle to find belonging, the Psalmist claims God as his own.
Burger parallels this to the covenant of marriage. Just as a husband and wife gain the right to say “this is my spouse” only after the vows are spoken, the believer enters a covenant relationship with the Creator. It is a familial claim. It signifies that the God of the universe is not a distant observer but an active participant in the individual’s life, He is for them, not against them.
This perspective shifts the Psalm from a poetic observation to a declaration of identity. In an era where so many feel lost, unknowing of who they are or where they are going, the 23rd Psalm offers a grounding answer: You belong to the Shepherd.
Contentment in a Consumer Culture
Modern society is built on the engine of want. Advertisements and algorithms are designed to manufacture desire, convincing consumers that they are always one purchase away from happiness. Rev. John Burger contrasts this endless cycle of “more” with the Psalmist’s declaration: “I shall not want.”
Drawing on the history of the Exodus, Burger highlights the lesson of daily bread. Just as the Israelites were provided manna only for the day at hand, the Shepherd provides exactly what is needed for the present moment. The sheep do not need a barn full of hay for next year; they need green pastures for today.
This teaching disrupts the anxiety of accumulation. It suggests that true peace is found not in hoarding resources for an uncertain future, but in trusting the Provider for daily sustenance. For the contemporary evangelist, this offers a compelling alternative to the exhaustion of materialism, a life of satisfaction based on presence, not possession.
Restoring the Soul Through Personal Passions
The imagery of green pastures and still waters is often romanticized, but Burger grounds it in the practical human experience. He suggests that these “green pastures” represent the unique joys and passions God instills in every person. Whether it is gardening, fishing, or raising a family, these are the places where the soul finds restoration.
However, the restoration mentioned in verse three, “He restoreth my soul”, implies a prior depletion. Life drains us. Young people, in particular, often lack the perspective of longevity to know that seasons of hardship are temporary. Burger notes that the Shepherd’s role is to lead the weary back to joy. The promise is not the absence of trouble, but the assurance of renewal. This insight transforms the way believers can minister to the burnout and spiritual fatigue rampant in modern culture, offering a hope that joy is not just a memory, but a destination the Shepherd is leading them toward again.
Righteousness as a Family Trait
Perhaps the most complex theological concept in the Psalm is the “paths of righteousness.” For Rev. John Burger, a former pastor within the Iowa District West, this is best understood through the lens of family identity rather than moral performance.
He illustrates this with a childhood memory of Saturday chores. As a “Burger,” he was expected to wash the car and mow the lawn, not to earn his way into the family, but because that is simply what the family did. If a stranger had done the chores, they wouldn’t suddenly become a son.
The Gospel message within the Psalm is that righteousness is a gift, not a wage. Through baptism and faith, the believer is adopted into God’s family. The Shepherd leads His sheep in the right paths because they bear His name. This distinction is crucial for evangelism. It relieves the crushing burden of perfectionism, replacing the impossible ladder of good works with the secure foundation of adoption. Good works follow faith just as a child learns the family ways, but the relationship is established by the Father, not the child’s performance.
The Shadow, The Valley, and The Door
The 23rd Psalm does not shy away from the reality of suffering. It acknowledges the “valley of the shadow of death.” Yet, Rev. Burger offers a powerful reframing of this terrifying image. He reminds us that the Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has already walked this path and emerged alive.
Because Christ has conquered death, the valley is no longer a dead end, but a hallway. It is a shadow, and shadows require light to exist, the light of the Risen Savior. Burger emphasizes that the Shepherd leads His sheep through the valley, not to stay there. This transforms the Christian view of mortality and suffering from a narrative of despair to one of transition and hope.
The Divine Pursuit
The Psalm concludes with goodness and mercy following the believer. Rev. John Burger interprets the Hebrew text to mean something far more active than a casual trailing behind. He likens it to a friendly farm dog chasing a pickup truck. Goodness and mercy are in active pursuit of God’s children.
In a life that often feels chased by anxiety, debt, or fear, this is a radical reversal. The believer is being hunted down by God’s grace. This leads to the ultimate destination: dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. For Burger, this is the final evangelistic hook. The Psalm is a journey that ends in a homecoming. It paints a picture of eternity not as a void, but as a family reunion where the Shepherd wipes away every tear.
Rev. John Burger of Adel, Iowa, through his work with Metanoia Ministries, continues to share this message across denominational lines. By unpacking the 23rd Psalm, he reveals that it is more than a funeral dirge; it is a roadmap for a life lived in the secure, providing, and restoring presence of the Good Shepherd.
