Psalms 78:71
“from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance.”
What does Psalms 78:71 mean?
God took David from tending sheep in the pastures and elevated him to lead an entire nation. The image captures something profound: David wasn't chosen because of rank or credentials, but while he was faithfully doing humble work. His experience caring for vulnerable animals prepared him in real ways for the responsibility of caring for God's people. The psalm emphasizes that Israel wasn't just any assignment—they were God's treasured inheritance, entrusted to someone who had learned gentleness and attentiveness through daily shepherding.