The Shepherd Leads the Sheep in the Correct Way
It is all a gift from God. He is the Shepherd, loving His sheep, providing for and guiding them.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Sheep
When the LORD wanted to describe us as humans, believers, and just people, He used the term "sheep." Interestingly, we are not called lions, bears, foxes, doves, trees, rocks, or any other creation that might have lifted us to a higher plane.
The LORD isn't complementing us when He calls us sheep. He is basically saying that we are not the brightest or strongest but needy to the point of being stupid.
Sheep are easily frightened and stubborn. They allow the slightest disturbance to send them into a panic and make decisions that are contrary to their own well-being.
Other independent animals can fend for themselves, but sheep have no sharp teeth, intimidating size, or even significant speed to escape danger. Sheep are relatively unaware of their surroundings and can't see well because of the wool covering their eyes, so they go to the wrong or dangerous places.
Sheep need a shepherd to protect, direct, care for, rescue them, and much more.
Believers are very much like the sheep the Shepherd used to compare them with. It is not good for our egos to read this, but it is pretty accurate, never the less.
He
Could I first call your attention to the subject of the sentence? The one doing the action is the Shepherd, not you. He leads. Whatever we are about to consider is something that He is doing. There is nothing here about us trying to earn righteousness through our good works or obeying a set of rules.
The focus is on the Shepherd. He leads me. The sheep is not to find his own way, do what he wishes, but to follow the Shepherd. The sheep trusts the Shepherd, looks to the Shepherd, listens to the Shepherd.
Sheep need a leader because they are so needy. They form a special bond with their Shepherd. He knows them, their needs, their weaknesses, and their propensities. He even calls them by name. They know his voice, his smell, Him.
David is writing a poem, telling a story, and meditating, and he rightly emphasizes the Shepherd rather than the needy, weak sheep.
The Shepherd will provide food, water, peace, and comfort and even look for and return the wanderer. The Shepherd will encourage. It is the Shepherd.
He is doing the work and the effort, so it is not about my effort or religious acts. Don't change the verse by seeing the Shepherd demanding something from you.
Leads
The Shepherd leads or guides. He treats the helpless kindly. The word is actually used to speak of guiding to prosperity and righteousness. He directs us out of trouble. There is an authority in the word lead used here.
But notice what David didn't say: drive or force, but lead. The Shepherd leads us, which is the opposite of neglecting us. He does not abandon, desert, hinder, or harm us. He leads us, which means he doesn't hurt or injure us.
He leads or guides, not demands or even have expectations. He leads us.
I grew up on a country farm. I know what it is to drive cattle, pigs, or other animals. It is to get behind them, push them, force them, and herd them where you want them to go. I often rode a horse and pushed the cattle.
That is not what the Lord does. He leads us.
Can I remind you that the Shepherd sent us a teacher, the Holy Spirit, to live in us, to teach us, and to guide us to understand His Word?
He leads. He gives us His Word, which we can't understand without His Teacher, the Holy Spirit. We aren't that smart; we don't even know how to pray, but the Holy Spirit lives in us, prays for and through us, and teaches us.
Paths
He leads us in paths or tracks, on a course, way, or conduct. Sheep use the same trail to go where they have gone before. Animals walk the same way, building a rut or trail, but it takes them where they have been and not necessarily where they need to go.
He leads us on the path to righteousness. We don't know how to live this new life the Shepherd gives us. We do not understand how to be what He made us to be. We are new creatures. Old things have passed away, and behold, all things are made new, but I need His direction.
Conclusion
As sheep, we belong to the Shepherd. Sheep are born of the flock or purchased. As believers, both have happened to us. We are His sheep in His pasture.
We do not know how to live in the flock. Someone needs to provide direction. We have experience doing our own thing and following our own will, but little in following the Shepherd. No worries. The Shepherd teaches us how to follow Him.
You ask how he does that. First, He sent us the Holy Spirit, God Himself indwelling in us. He leads us and teaches us His will. God gave us a Bible, but we need our teacher, the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide us if we are ever to learn it.
So remember. Our Shepherd leads us on the paths He wants us to walk. He guides us and lovingly shows us how to live out what He has put in us.