Down Cast

 Down cast

April 23, 2025

Psalms 23:1-3 (NASB)

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.

In the book, “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23”, by Philip Keller, there is an interesting comment about Psalm 23:3, “He restores my soul”. He relates this to a “cast” sheep, one which is turned over on its back and can’t get up. He compares this to being in despair, or down cast, in Psalm 42.

Psalms 42:5 (NKJV)

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him

For the help of His countenance.

A Cast sheep can get into trouble because if fell into a hole, or was too fat, or had too much wool, in order for it to turn itself over.  It was especially common among pregnant sheep who were heavy with lamb, and couldn’t find their feet if turned over. There were in desperate condition and were in peril of being from hunger and thirst, or being killed by predators unless the shepherd could find them and restore them to their feet. “He restores my soul.” In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus compares himself to a good shepherd who searches and finds the one lost sheep. He rejoices when he can restore the down cast sheep and restore it to the flock other 99.

Sometimes, we are like that down cast sheep. We get heavy with the world’s cares and pleasures and get ourselves into a place that we can’t get ourselves out of. Oh happy day, when Jesus finds us and rescues us from the pit of despair and restores our soul! Like a cast sheep, sometimes it takes considerable effort for the shepherd to roll us over and stand us on our feet. He may need to hold it up and massage the legs until it is strong enough to stand on its own. So the Lord the Good Shepherd, will restore us, and then strengthen and guide us to help us stand and keep out of trouble. Another picture of this is found in Psalm 40:

Psalms 40:1-3

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;

And He inclined to me,

And heard my cry.

2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

And established my steps.

3 He has put a new song in my mouth—

Praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear,

And will trust in the LORD.

So, no matter what kind of pit you find yourself in, the Good Shepherd is able to restore your should and set your feet upon the Rock. So sing that new song that many will see and trust in the Lord.