Psalm 23 begins with David's confession, "The LORD is my shepherd." The image portrays God's personal guidance, provision, protection, and faithful presence. In the Old Testament, shepherd imagery is also used for Israel's rulers, making the figure especially significant when later messianic expectations combine divine shepherding with the coming Davidic ruler.

In John 10:11 Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd," and explains that the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. First Peter 2:25 likewise calls Christ the Shepherd and Overseer of believers' souls. Psalm 23 is not a direct prediction that the Messiah would utter the title, but Jesus' claim takes up an image centrally associated with the LORD and applies it to His own saving ministry. Christians therefore understand Christ as the Good Shepherd through whom God's shepherding care is personally revealed and ultimately fulfilled.