Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . David envisioned God as a benevolent host who prepared a grand banquet. Now this place of rest is, first and foremost spiritually speaking, right in the midst of the problem. of Scripture. For I am Yahweh your God, John MacArthur brings you a complete Bible commentary in one volume. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, Giving without a Whisper by C. H. Spurgeon, Know, Known, Knowledge, Unknown - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, David Guzik :: Hechos 9 La Conversin de Saulo de Tarso, David Guzik :: Mateo 4 La Tentacin de Jess y Su Primer Ministerio en Galilea, David Guzik :: Hechos 2 El Espritu Santo Es Derramado Sobre la Iglesia, David Guzik :: Apocalipsis 20 Satans, el Pecado y la Muerte son Finalmente Eliminados, David Guzik :: 2 Timoteo 3 Los Tiempos Peligrosos y la Preciosa Verdad, David Guzik :: Apocalipsis 12 La Mujer, el Nio, y el Dragn, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus and the Holy Trinity (Walter Martin), Matthew 18-19 (1982-85 Audio) (Chuck Smith), Genesis 1:1-8 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), John 12 - Sir, We Would See Jesus (Chuck Missler), Genesis 2-3 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith). But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. Play. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. The idea that the LORD is a shepherd to His people is also prevalent throughout the Bible. Luke-Acts Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. To call God a shepherd is to acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and submit to His will. Minor Prophets Davids guidance from God has a moral component. It is getting harder to live on this planet - from a health point of view, from a financial point of view, from a spiritual and moral point of view, from a fear and anxiety point of view - there is much that a person could be concerned about. (1 Pet 5:1-4, Acts Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. - Henry Ward Beecher, [2] J Vernon McGee writes 'to put it succinctly, in Psalm 22 we see the cross, in Psalm 23 the crook (the Shepherd's crook), and in Psalm 24 the crown (the King's crown). A number of our soldiers died there. It doesn't mean that anything outwardly has to change. You are mine. You may be in a dark place but you must keep walking. In light of all these truths, we must respond promptly. In New Zealand (where I live) all of our farms and fields seem to be 'green pastures' and the sheep tend to munch all day! When explaining why he was restoring Israel, God said, I dont do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations, where you went. It could also refer to a piece of furniture like the tables that we know today. When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. When a soldier is in the presence of his enemies, if he eats at all he snatches a hasty meal, and away he hastens to the fight. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. Surely goodness (Hebrew: tob) and loving kindness (Hebrew: hesed) shall follow me all the days of my life (v. 6a). He was refreshed by a head anointed with oil; his cup was over-filled. It is what the Apostle Paul knew when he wrote: Philippians 4:11-13 I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. David wrote this while remembering his fearful experiences. These twin guardian angels will always be with me at my back and my beck. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. There are few experiences in life that would be more satisfying. Many people were praying for me. David found him so, and so have we. These instruments (or instrument) of guidance were a comfort to David. Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. Oh! He is utterly trustworthy. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. He is the source of life and a great provider. [13] And His goodness and kindness will always follow you. [1] As I mentioned, this is one famous Psalm. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. Thank you for registering. General Epistles The paths that the Shepherd takes us on are the righteous or 'right' paths. The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ii. ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. Poetical Books In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). I had good medical care. What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. Shepherds use the rod and staff to guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. To be invited to a persons table was an honor. the peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances! (Philip Keller). (12) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 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. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! Psalm 23 - Sermon On the Lord is My Shepherd - Study and Obey Your partnership makes all we do possible. The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. Not many people receive such an invitation, and even fewer receive more than one. 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 instruments used by the shepherd comforted David. You are not your own but were bought with a price! Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. It wasn't a nice dream at all '. On other days, she was on the other side. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. [1], It is not only I do not want, but I shall not want. Come what may, if famine should devastate the land, or calamity destroy the city, I shall not want. Old age with its feebleness shall not bring me any lack, and even death with its gloom shall not find me destitute. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter's angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? That seldom accomplishes His purposes and the rest of the Psalm show that these things do occur. Companionship -- for you are with me. What humanity needs now is the restoration of hope and joy. It works. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! You anoint my head with oil. It is great advice but more than likely it is the most highlighted passage because people are in desperate need to remember it! For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. The Saviours Cross. 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! We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. 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. It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. 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. Gods shepherding care from the previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. He had known feast. God (through the prophet Jeremiah) said, For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and cut them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13). 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." In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. Sun Valley, CA 91352 If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. c. I will fear no evil: Despite every dark association with the idea of the valley of the shadow of death, David could resolutely say this because he was under the care of the LORD his shepherd. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . (Whew!) Forever. If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. ), The Complete WordStudy Old Testament (Chattanooga; AMG Publishers, 1994), Baker, Warren and Carpenter, Eugene, The Complete WordStudy Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003), Bromiley, Geoffrey (General Editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, 4 vols. Notice the following -. I. I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh, says the Lord Yahweh, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes (Ezekiel 36:22-23). Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. Nothing is outside of His control. She is a lady that is unfortunately into the New Age and has spirit guides etc She doesn't agree with what I believe nor do I agree with her beliefs. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! 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. (Spurgeon). David gives a beautiful picture: table suggests bounty; prepare suggests foresight and care; before me suggests the personal connection. I'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. It may portray the straying sheep brought back. David's song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. However, many scholars believed David wrote it during his kingship (around 1000 BC to 993 BC). Later, rabbis often designated it "The Book of Praises." . A servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the son abideth ever. While I am here I will be a child at home with my God; the whole world shall be his house to me; and when I ascend into the upper chamber, I shall not change my company, nor even change the house; I shall only go to dwell in the upper story of the house of the Lord forever. In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. Everything will be ok. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. God is his shepherd and his Goda God all-sufficient to all intents and purposes. The Whole Bible A poor man may say this as well as those in higher circumstances, What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?[6]. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? Historical Books Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. They can't run all that fast, don't have the greatest eye sight apparently and, being basically defenceless, are timid and fearful. [10] We have another source of confidence in our shepherd Jesus that even David didn't have when he wrote this psalm 3000 years ago. a. 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. 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. Maybe this verse should have read 'though I close my eyes and sprint through the valley of the shadow of death' This verse speaks to us of the trying times in our lives where there is darkness, confusion and fear. Play. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. Kidner notes: The rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) and staff (to walk with, and to round up the flock) were the shepherds weapon and implement: the former for defence (cf. Site by Mere. [9] These are the paths we should desire and actively seek. The promises are for those who have been born again not those who simply like the sound of it for a funeral! The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. We are smart enough to do this in the physical. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD and flame will not scorch you. They also keep a vigilant and watchful eye out for poisonous plants and wild animals. Please see Blue Letter Bible's Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. He is that interested in each of His sheep! Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. Sermon. Psalm 19. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. If things are tough, remember this verse. Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. Another such honor would be an invitation for dinner at the White Housepreferably dinner with the President and a small group of his key people although a large state dinner would also be interesting. In that culture, people considered a persons name to be more than a simple label to identify that person. But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. There you have it. The Gospels Note the pronoun change in this verse. David had extreme confidence in who God IS right now! (1.) Thats why Psalm 23 is crucially relevant even today. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Some of the most obvious are: 1) the wisdom type with instructions for right living; 2) lamentation patterns which deal with the pangs of life (usually arising from enemies without); 3) penitential psalms (mostly dealing with the "enemy" within, i.e., sin); 4) kingship emphases (universal or mediatorial; theocratic and/or messianic rule); and 5) Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible . Poetical Books 3 He restores my soul. Pauline Epistles The intimate portrayal of God as a shepherd is what makes Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable. 27:1). This is the joy of the Christian! Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. Pray to him, then, for the blessingRestore thou me, thou Shepherd of my soul!, Some Christians overlook the blessing of sanctification, and yet to a thoroughly renewed heart this is one of the sweetest gifts of the covenant. God anoints His people with oil just like how shepherds anoint their sheep with oil. Gods presence removed the fear in David and comforted him. One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place. [12] Must admit that I have been dealing with a few trials lately and when I read this verse it kind of caught me by surprise! Prophets They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. The Shepherds Crook. It is a bit difficult to ascertain the exact time Psalm 23 was written. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. The MacArthur Bible Commentary treats every passage of the Old and New Testaments phrase by phrase, with hundreds of word studies and sidebars throughout. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. But mostly, they were comforting because they were in the hands of a caring shepherd. Historical Books For other references to the shadow of death, see Jeremiah 2:6 and Job 10:21-22. However, he was confident that God is with him all the time. Its interesting to note how David used the word shepherd in this psalm instead of a more distant term like a king or a deliverer. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers.

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