Why is Christ as our substitute essential for understanding Psalm 23?

Before we can grasp the comfort in Christ being our shepherd as illustrated in Psalm 23, we must first recognize Him as our substitute shown in Psalm 22. Without Christ taking our place on the cross and bearing our sins, He would be our judge instead of our shepherd. It is through His sacrificial love that we can genuinely accept the promise of guidance and protection He offers. When we embrace Christ as our substitute, we gain the assurance that He will nurture us as our shepherd throughout our lives, especially as we navigate the trials that come with age and experience.