Psa 23:3 …He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake (b)
The clarity of this verse can be explained by Jer 18:4, “And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.” Let me explain it this way, though the clay was marred in the hands of the potter, the potter could not be blamed for its flaws, the potter was working with poor flawed materials. Despite it’s condition, “…he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.” He made it right (Righteous). The difference between what it was and what it became was His leading hands.
God “…leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake”. “Seeing He hath taken upon Him the name of a “Good Shepherd”, He will discharge His part, whatever His sheep be. It is not their being bad sheep that can make Him leave being a “Good Shepherd”, but He will be “good”, and maintain the credit of “His name” in spite of all their badness; and though no benefit come to them of it, yet there shall glory accrue to Him by it, and “His name” shall nevertheless be magnified and extolled.” (Sir Richard Baker).
This leading is more than feel good; it is in all living to honor His name.