You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! Major Prophets It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. In Psalms 23:3, Psalms 23:4 the spiritual meaning shines through the figure, as in Psalms 23:5, Psalms 23:6 it is laid aside altogether; yet still the psalmist speaks of the "rod and staff." "Rod," the shepherd's crook, the received emblem of authority, guidance, and discipline. Its also of paramount importance to recognize that the shepherd in this psalm connotes more than someone who merely herds the flock. He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. Pauline Epistles Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. (Kidner). It has comforted the noble host of the poor. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: The hosts care brought the goodness and mercy of God to David, and he lived in the faithful expectation of it continuing all the days of his life. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! The Gospels 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. I need to know you are well.' Wisdom Literature David gives a beautiful picture: table suggests bounty; prepare suggests foresight and care; before me suggests the personal connection. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. Solid Joys. 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? You prepare a table (Hebrew: sulhan) before me in the presence of my enemies (v. 5a). It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. . Entdecke The Macarthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur (2005, Hardcover) in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! Major Prophets We seek more of God and depend on Him further when we encounter problems. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. Scripture: Psalm 23. a. The word through is important. Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. Bible Introductions - Hebrews by John MacArthur - Blue Letter Bible 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. We can imagine various meanings for the valley of the shadow of death.. He had known famine. See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. PDF Psalm 23 - Verse 5 Arno C Gaebelin said (with some small modifications): A good way to read this Psalm is by asking the question, 'What shall I not want?' Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the author's heart and trust in God. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters., God as a shepherd knows where to lead His flock to rest. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Founded in 1969, Grace to You is the nonprofit organization responsible for developing, producing, and distributing Johns books, audio resources, and the Grace to You radio and television programs. John Piper Sep 8, 1980 Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. i. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). God is like a shepherd to David. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. Believe with the same confidence David had. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. Major Prophets It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. They can't run all that fast, don't have the greatest eye sight apparently and, being basically defenceless, are timid and fearful. He will never, ever, leave you! And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. In the Old Testament world, to eat and drink at someones table created a bond of mutual loyalty, and could be the culminated token of a covenant. 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. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' The Gospels 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Everyone loves this Psalm. Is - Can you say that? ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. 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. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. When flies or parasites annoy them, its hard for them to be at rest. Email / username or password was incorrect! Why the double standard of confusing messages? Historical Books 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. Psalm 23 | Anchored | Grace Community Church - gracechurch.org Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. a. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. April 17, 2011. [3], The LORD - The first thing to note is the source of David's comfort. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible How much would you have had in your cup? (Spurgeon), ii. The Old Testament Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning. The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. I. General Epistles The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. 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. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. 'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual?' Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. How would you describe sheep? He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.. Luke-Acts It offers a broad overview of each Bible book and the internal consistency that results from having a single commentator. He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. Click on the different category headings to find out more. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. I have called you by your name. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. 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. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? He talks about going through it, showing that he expects to emerge from its shadows into the light on the other side. Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . 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). I live in New Zealand, and yes, I know, we have more sheep than people! Thats why Psalm 23 is crucially relevant even today. It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. Poetical Books They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory.