23rd PSALM: Verse by Verse Series: 3

3. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.

"In the gospel plan, works do not precede but follow rest. The

restoration of the soul comes first; then the works of righteousness. We are not saved by our works, but we work because we are saved. We are not justified by works, but for works. As the apostle Paul puts it, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Faith in the Good Shepherd does not make void His law. On the contrary, His death for the sheep makes it forever sure. “Do we then make void the law through faith?” asks the Apostle to the Gentiles; and then he answers his own question: “God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31).

The fact that all the Ten Commandments—not five or eight of them—are repeated in principle in the New Testament and are taught by both Christ and the apostles, sustains the Word of the Psalmist. 

The Good Shepherd leads His sheep in paths of righteousness to the very gates of the beautiful city itself, and on through the gates into the eternal fold, for it is written in Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” BibleInfo