Psalm 23 is a song of gratitude that tells Davids relationship with God as his shepherd. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. Historical Books Let us not, therefore, be afraid. b) John MacArthur; MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians 5:18 - "Be filled" translates the present passive imperative of "pleroo", and is more literally rendered as "be being kept filled." We are "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit at the moment of justification (professing our faith in Christ). God is his shepherd and his Goda God all-sufficient to all intents and purposes. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). They can't run all that fast, don't have the greatest eye sight apparently and, being basically defenceless, are timid and fearful. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, (Hebrew/Greek Search by English Definition), * 'Number Delimiters' only apply to 'Paragraph Order', Search verses, phrases, and topics (e.g. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Pauline Epistles We must surrender our desires and follow where He leads no matter the cost. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. Sermon. Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banished the fear of evil. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. But if it is an honor to be invited to the Presidents home, it is an infinitely greater honor to be invited to the Lords house. Report an Issue Sermon Correction/Question . I started off by saying that I wanted to have a look at what is probably the most popular chapter in the entire Old Testament. Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. However, many scholars believed David wrote it during his kingship (around 1000 BC to 993 BC). The overflowing cup symbolizes the Lords generosity. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. The wonderful discovery is that the Lord is not just a shepherd who looks after the entire flock, but He is cares for me as well. Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. It works. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. How would you describe sheep? [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. Here the second allegory begins. As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God (Psalm 42:1). What would you say of a pilgrim commissioned of God to travel up and down the earth singing a strange melody, which, when one heard, caused him to forget whatever sorrow he had? The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. But it is there that you learn that though you may not be able to see the shepherd as well as normal, He can see you and is still protecting you! Jesus told the Samaritan woman, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water (John 4:10). Jesus honors us by inviting us to his table, saying, This is my body that is for you. David claimed that the same God who faithfully rescued the Israelites from Egypt and provided guidance and provision in the wilderness is the same faithful God he served. In light of all these truths, we must respond promptly. This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. b. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' Regardless of destitution, famine, storms, and other uncertainties, Gods flock is well-provided for in all seasons. If we could be saved from wrath, and yet remain unregenerate, impenitent sinners, we should not be saved as we desire, for we mainly and chiefly pant to be saved from sin and led in the way of holiness.[4]. Maclaren writes: The rod and the staff seem to be two names for one instrument, which was used both to beat off predatory animals and to direct the sheep.. The Shepherd's staff: The staff was used by the Shepherd to direct the sheep in the way in which they should go, and, in the case of a wandering nosey sheep, to pull it back into line [11] . If we were without enemies, we might fear that we were not the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity to GodThou preparest a table Nothing is hurried, there is no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door, and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. 6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahwehs house forever. It was never used on the sheep. d. For You are with me: This emphasizes that it is the presence of the shepherd that eliminated the fear of evil for the sheep. He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. Title The entire collection of Psalms is entitled "Praises" in the Hebrew text. Ouch. The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. I recently did a study on this psalm for a home group church meeting. c. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over: Despite the dangers about and the presence of enemies, David enjoyed the richness of his hosts goodness. For them, it truly was the valley of the shadow of death. He was the son of Jesse and a direct descendant of Abraham. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Nov. 10, 2012. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! He is a popular conference speaker and the president of both The Master's College and The Master's Seminary. To walk indicates the steady advance of a soul which knows its road, knows its end, resolves to follow the path, feels quite safe, and is therefore perfectly calm and composed Observe that it is not walking in the valley, but through the valley. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place. To eat at the Kings table in the presence of your enemies would show your enemies that the king holds you in high regard, and would demonstrate their powerlessness to hurt you. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. What is also interesting, even before we get into the actual verses, is that this Psalm is part two of what we could call a Messianic trilogy. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. 'What happened exactly to me in the dream?' And when the days of this life are over, then we shall enter into that which we can only partly imagine, for, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.'. PSALM 23:1-4. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. Which is it? General Epistles And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. The enemy was strongly entrenched there, and was determined to stay. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. Please read and believe! The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. John is also president and featured teacher with Grace to You. I have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because The Lord is my shepherd. The wicked always want, but the righteous never; a sinners heart is far from satisfaction, but a gracious spirit dwells in a palace of content.[2]. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! Scripture: Psalm 23. The New Testament We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. "Staff," that on which one leans, emblem of Divine strength and . General Epistles The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. The book of Psalms is the most quoted book in the New Testament, and Jesus would refer a lot to the Book of Psalms even in His claims and teachings. It could also refer to a piece of furniture like the tables that we know today. Daily devotional with John Piper. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy I had good medical care. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. In extreme cases where a lamb continually wandered off and wouldn't stick with the pack (causing the Shepherd to repeatedly have to go and bring the lamb back) the Shepherd would sometimes break the lamb's leg! The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? Companionship -- for you are with me. Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. In my experience I have never seen a visible manifestation of God going before me at a fork in the road. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point In Psalm 22 He gives His life for the sheep; in Psalm 23 He gives His love to the sheep; in Psalm 24 He gives us light when He shall appear. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. It is a psalm which has been sung by good Christians, and will be while the world stands, with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. John MacArthur (b. Other than the president and family, only a handful of people have been invited to make the White House their homeand then only for a few years. He does not say there shall not be any evil; he had got beyond even that high assurance, and knew that Jesus had put all evil away; but I will fear no evil; not even the Evil One himself; I will not dread the last enemy, I will look upon him as a conquered foe, an enemy to be destroyed, For thou art with me. Is it a terrible thing that even though God is sovereign and controls the entire universe, we don't want to let go of the reigns! But it is alluded to such as in Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water." He had the honour of being King over all Israel, yet seen the lows of having his own son, Absalom, rise up against him and take the throne. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. Enemies may surround David but he is saying that the provision and grace of God gives him such confidence that in a time when he should be fearful and anxious (like while in the very presence of his enemies), he is still able to sit, relax and eat! Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). They will not lie down if they are afraid. The word through is important. Can you say that about your life? Share. But do we believe it? The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. Lord's Day Services. This is seen in the following table: [2]. The hosts care and concern doesnt eliminate the presence of my enemies but enables the experience of Gods goodness and bounty even in their midst. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. Pastor John MacArthur. God was the one providing for him, God was the one anointing his head with oil (which was what gracious hosts did for their guests in Israel) so he knew that he would have more than enough! The Kings crown, Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. On some days, she was on one side of the valley. So to be Gods guest is to be more than an acquaintance, invited for a day. With family of say, a mother, a father, 3 or four children, and only one in the family working and bringing in 3 dollars (a day), it would takes ages before one can afford to buy anything extra, even clothes or even a blanket. But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. The sheep may crack their skull just to ease the suffering to get rid of the brain-eating parasites. I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. Minor Prophets To be invited to Gods table is the ultimate honor.
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