He Restores My Strength

So far David has declared that God is his shepherd, that he is content with what God provides, and that God provides for his physical needs, and even gives him the security and peace that allows him to rest and trust that God is in control. He now follows that by additionally declaring that God provides restoration and direction to him, again using the power example of a shepherd with his sheep.
The word used here for “restore” means to literally turn back or turn over. One of the most dangerous things to happen to a sheep is for it to be “cast.” A cast sheep gets turned over on its back and is unable to turn back over. In that state it becomes very helpless and is especially prone to predators. Predators will look for cast sheep and eagerly attack when they have a chance, knowing that the sheep will be unable to escape or defend itself. Shepherds must be very vigilant to notice and find sheep which are cast and to quickly turn them over. They identify cast sheep by regularly counting them to make sure that one isn’t missing, and by looking out for buzzards or other predators that may hover around a vulnerable sheep. If one is missing, the shepherd quickly searches for the sheep, and when it is found, is both hopeful and anxious, knowing that time is of the essence. The shepherd will then race toward the sheep, and when he reaches it, will gently roll it over to relieves gases. He will then carefully lift it up, rubbing limbs to restore it, and then helping it to walk along as it regains its footing and strength.
Left to their own, sheep tend to wander in places that they shouldn’t go. This is dangerous for them, and also for the land itself, as they can destroy plant life and grass, ruining it as a source of nourishment for them in the future. Shepherds address this by moving their sheep in a planned manner, rotating land and following specific paths. This is important for the health of the sheep and the land, but it also has an impact on the reputation of the shepherd. Other shepherd and landowners will look at flocks that are undisciplined and land that is ruined, and they will know that the shepherd didn’t care the way that he should have. Shepherds are thus conscious of being good stewards of their flocks and the land and want to maintain a good reputation.
We should strive to not stumble or fall. Sheep that are careless or fat are most vulnerable, and must remain on guard, keeping spiritual fitness, so that we will not get turned over. Nonetheless, when we do, we should give thanks that God is compassionate and merciful with us, restoring us and walking with us to get us moving again. In addition, we should also look for and follow the paths that He sets out for us, knowing that on our own we will tend to go in the wrong direction, to our own detriment and of those around us. As God lays His path out for us and leads us on it, He is not only doing what is best for us, but He is also demonstrating His goodness and knowledge, and we can take joy as our walk gives glory to Him.