A Psalm by David.
1Yahweh is my shepherd;
I shall lack nothing.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup runs over.
6Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.
The biblical text has more references to sheep (lambs) than any other animal. Both the Old Testament and New Testament speak of this animal in literal and metaphorical ways. In the Old Testament, the lamb played a strategic role in preserving the children of Israel from the death angel. Lamb meat is prominent in the kind of food used in the original Passover meal and throughout history when Jews celebrated the Passover. The sacrificial nature of sheep was initially prominent when the offering of a lamb on the altar brought favor with God, while Abel's brother Cain became jealous of this sacrifice and killed his brother. Sheep were offered on the altars of Israel through the centuries to turn away the wrath of God on the day of Atonement. Also, sheep provided several benefits to the Israelite family of wool for clothing, milk for drinking, and meat for food. David, a king of Israel, was a shepherd when he was anointed to be king of Israel, who penned the famous Psalms 23, explaining Yahweh's care for His people in terms of a sheep and shepherd.
Even Jesus was called the Good Shepherd for his care of the people of God, His sheep (see John 10:11), and this is carried further in the account of the Great Judgment in Matt 25:31-46 when the sheep (God's people) are separated from the goats (the unrighteous) who were condemned by God.