Psalm 23:1-3 NRSVA
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
John 10:14-15, 27-29 NIV
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me
– just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all;
no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I like this image of the Good Shepherd as it is not clearly male
– for me God’s love encompasses both maternal and paternal characteristics.
I also like the verse from John which equates the hand of Jesus and the hand of God the Father in our protection.