David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Psalm 2 Bible Study The Current Rebellion & The Coming King, Psalm 8 Bible Study The wonder of God and the second man, Psalm 16 Part 1: Testing's in the journey through life and death, Psalm 16 Part 2 - Hope in the journey through life and death, Psalm 22 Part 1 - Prophecy of the crucifixion and the wrath of man. Psalm 40 - The Pit and the Pierced Ear in the Paths of God, Psalm 41: The pattern of betrayal - Past, present and future (P1), Psalm 55: The pattern of betrayal: Past, present and future (P2), Psalm 69 - The restoration and the zeal of the Lord, Psalm 102 - Change and the Unchangeable One, Psalm 110: Jesus the Messiah - Our Lord and King, Psalm 110: Jesus our priest in the order of Melchizedek. It was never used on the sheep. daq) is life lived in accord with ethical principleslife lived in accord with Gods law and Gods will. April 17, 2011. He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. 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. Which is it? i. My cup runs over (Hebrew: rewayah) (v. 5c). Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. But he would then carry that lamb while its leg mended and apparently, once healed, that lamb would never wander off from the shepherd again. Luke-Acts Although God, by his benefits, gently allures us to himself, as it were by a taste of his fatherly sweetness, yet there is nothing into which we more easily fall than into a forgetfulness of him, when we are in the enjoyment of peace and comfort. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. The Old Testament But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. ii. 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. Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. You prepare a table before me: Without departing from the previous picture of the valley of the shadow of death, David envisioned the provision and goodness given by the LORD as a host, inviting David to a rich table prepared for him. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Pentateuch Oh! When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' 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. Peace -- for He leads me beside the still waters. Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. This is seen in the following table: [2]. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. i. What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? type 23-6 in the address bar in place of 1-1 so that . Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? (Heb 5:12-14) [8]. Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. Abraham's Bosom, Paradise, and Heaven 1. He is the shepherd that provides and His people will lack no good thing. and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. Ouch. The enemy was strongly entrenched there, and was determined to stay. God refuses to let the godly go hungry. 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! ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. It is a bit difficult to ascertain the exact time Psalm 23 was written. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. They would travel from oasis to oasis. You are not your own but were bought with a price! Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. Text: Psalm 23 Ministry: Anchored. '. Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. The word restore implies the notion of a rescued one. Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. John Piper Sep 1, 1980. We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. Your partnership makes all we do possible. There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! 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 sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. Pauline Epistles 1 Samuel 17:35), and the latter for control since discipline is security., iii. So though 3000 years old it is extremely relevant for our lives today! General Epistles I will fear no evil. Note the pronoun change in this verse. You prepare a table (Hebrew: sulhan) before me in the presence of my enemies (v. 5a). Jesus took this name for Himself when He said 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!' He doesn't stop, and he doesn't give up hope. But how does God do this? For other references to the shadow of death, see Jeremiah 2:6 and Job 10:21-22. i. When people die, we think of them as having entered the valley of the shadow of death, but the same is true for their loved ones. 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). The light shines the brightest in the dark. (Jer 23:1-4, Ezek 34:1-10) Work to be a faithful shepherd realising that it is God's own sheep that He has placed in your care. Notice the following -. In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Wisdom Literature John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. God is holy, and takes his holy name seriously: Since God is holy, we as Gods people need to insure that we do not tarnish his name by our wrongful words or actions. 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. ), Mounces Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), Renn, Stephen D., Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words: Word Studies for Key English Bible Words Based on the Hebrew and Greek Texts (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2005), Richards, Lawrence O., Encyclopedia of Bible Words (Zondervan, 1985, 1991), Sakenfeld, Katharine Doob (ed. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! Psalm 23 Many of David's psalms are full of complaints, but this is full of comforts, and the expressions of delight in God's great goodness and dependence upon him. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. 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. i. You will have much more pressing concerns. i. Now David wasn't saying here that 'the Lord is my Shepherd, whom I do not want'! It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. This table represents all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible . Amazon, in the last couple of weeks (Nov 2014) released the most highlighted passages in their most popular books downloaded onto Kindle, their electronic book reader. His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. You can also change some of your preferences. If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. 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! As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? You anoint my head with oil. It is for His name's sake and His glory that this is done! Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. My cup runs over. 'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual?' We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. Poetical Books It is a great comfort to know that God will correct us when we need it. Like the Greek word agape (love) in the New Testament, hesed (lovingkindness) involves actionkindness or love expressed through kind or loving actions rather than just feelings. 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? Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. The New Testament When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. David found him so, and so have we. And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. You anoint my head with oil; The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. Near death, the saint does not walk in the valley, but through the valley. Wow! This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. Lets look at the meaning and significance of each verse written in Psalm 23. These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching grief's, of orphans in their loneliness. Davids song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. 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. Now I want to break this first verse up into each little section so that we can get a better grasp as to what David was saying. John MacArthur, Pastor-Teacher. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. "Staff," that on which one leans, emblem of Divine strength and . I. To experience the care and guidance of God as a shepherd, we must identify ourselves as His sheep. A poor man may say this as well as those in higher circumstances, What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?[6]. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? The word my cup runs over indicates that David not only had the necessities but also enjoyed abundance. The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. Solid Joys. This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. b. Poetical Books (wpe). The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. They know that it will be ok. He is utterly trustworthy. i. If you are truly one of His sheep (evidenced by hearing his voice and following His ways) then this verse is your verse as well! [1] As I mentioned, this is one famous Psalm. Comfort -- for your rod and Thy staff comfort me. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. In Psalm 22 Christ is the Saviour; in Psalm 23 He is the Satisfier; in Psalm 24 He is the Sovereign. Psalms 23. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! David reflected on God's many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future. So our great Shepherd protects and provides for His sheep during their life on this earth. Anyway, we might have been being a tad naughty but the principle can be quite helpful and this is what I will do with this first verse. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. Title: The MacArthur Bible Commentary By: John MacArthur Format: Hardcover Number of Pages: 2040 Vendor: Thomas Nelson Publication Date: 2005 Dimensions: 9.75 X 6.75 X 2.75 (inches) Weight: 3 pounds 11 ounces ISBN: 0785250662 ISBN-13: 9780785250661 Stock No: WW250662 Related Products The Jesus You Can't Ignore: Study $7.49 $9.99 Save 25%
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