The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. 'Is something bad going to happen to me?' Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Minor Prophets Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. They would travel from oasis to oasis. Pentateuch Sun Valley, CA 91352 Near death, the saint still calmly walks he does not need to quicken his pace in alarm or panic. And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. It may portray the straying sheep brought back. The rest of the Psalm exhibits the shepherding care of God that is essential to life. He lived in the confident hope that it would continue for the rest of his life. God shines His light into our lives. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. 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. What is characteristic of them? This table represents all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. [9] These are the paths we should desire and actively seek. But the confidence David had is that the great shepherd will always know what we need and when to provide it. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. And, then, it is not the valley of death, but the valley of the shadow of death, for death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.. Minor Prophets The Kings crown, Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. The Hebrew word for staff (mishaynaw) seems to speak of a support in the sense of a walking stick. Surely goodness (Hebrew: tob) and loving kindness (Hebrew: hesed) shall follow me all the days of my life (v. 6a). Scripture: Psalm 23. Do you? The idea is of a sturdy walking stick, used to gently (as much as possible) guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. Nor have I ever heard an audible voice that was clearly God's telling me which decisions to make. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. Published by Thomas Nelson, 2005. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of theLordforever. Well, having said that I should say that you will be free from fear to the degree that you know He is with you - rain, hail and shine. 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. "It [ Psalm 23] has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. Text: Psalm 23 Ministry: Anchored. 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). Topical Series; DVD Series; Bible Series; Flash Drives; Bundles . You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. Location. In that culture, people considered a persons name to be more than a simple label to identify that person. and flame will not scorch you. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, Are any of us low in grace? 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! i. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy 'What happened exactly to me in the dream?' b. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. Minor Prophets [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. You may be in a dark place but you must keep walking. God longs to bless and prosper His people. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? 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. Though the majority of the occurrences of hesed are translated steadfast love, there are undeniable elements of mercy and kindness that underlie each of these occurrences (Renn, 633-634). God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). iv. So our great Shepherd protects and provides for His sheep during their life on this earth. a. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. Historical Books Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. There you have it. The Gospels In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning. Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. In fact, he thought quite highly of it, as is evident by this especially generous compliment: Of this delightful song it may be affirmed that its piety and its poetry are equal, its sweetness and its spirituality are unsurpassed. Spurgeon once referred to Psalm 23 as the Pearl of the Psalms in his monthly magazine, The Sword and the Trowel. Now mine was a recent silly example. 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! To experience the care and guidance of God as a shepherd, we must identify ourselves as His sheep. It makes sense. i. Psalm's 22, 23 and 24 give different glimpses of this wonderful Shepherd. 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! Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. Like the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, David might say that all of life is lived under the shadow of death, and it is the conscious presence of the LORD as shepherd that makes it bearable. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). 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. John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, president of The Master's University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. You anoint my head with oil. Pentateuch This is the condition of Gods servant always conflict, but always a spread table. (Maclaren), ii. Wisdom Literature Nov. 10, 2012. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! Lord's Day Services. It is great advice but more than likely it is the most highlighted passage because people are in desperate need to remember it! Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. How much would you have had in your cup? (Spurgeon), ii. Please visit: https://www.bestbiblecommentaries.comPlease visit: www.bestbiblecommentaries.comBrowse John MacArthur's bible commentaries on Amazon:https://am. . Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. Sep 8, 1980. Articles Messages Books Podcasts Filter Resources By Ask Pastor John. In Psalm 23, God has answered this prayer God has led him in paths of righteousness. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. I have a lady at my work who, after saying something that she felt may tempt fate, said 'touch wood'. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. The Hebrew word for rod (shaybet) here seems to simply mean a stick with a variety of applications. Here the second allegory begins. As someone who worked as a shepherd before, David knew that shepherds live with their flock and are everything to it: guide, protector, and source of provision. Psalm 23 Bible Study - Jesus our Great Shepherd! The word PSALM literally means praise and it features works of various characters the majority of which were written by David. It wasn't a nice dream at all '. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). But he also knew something else. Our children were still quite young. The Gospels And we know the Jesus Himself took upon this title of 'the good Shepherd'. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? Historical Books This is a psalm of trust and confidence in God's goodness in the present and in the future. The emphasis of his pulpit ministry is the careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, with special attention devoted to the historical and grammatical background behind each passage. The rod of Jesse shall still be over me as the sovereign succor of my soul.[5]. We lie on our beds yet carry on the same thoughts inside. Major Prophets Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). The Old Testament Luke-Acts Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 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. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. a. The comforts of a living saint. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Many people were praying for me. Forever. 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. the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. 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. Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. They will not lie down if they are afraid. Psalm 23 is a song of gratitude that tells Davids relationship with God as his shepherd. But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. David knew all about this. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. John MacArthur, Pastor-Teacher. The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. Companionship -- for you are with me. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. The shepherd certainly did not remove the presence of evil but removed the fear of evil. Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself. Psalm 23 - Sermon On the Lord is My Shepherd - Study and Obey Why the double standard of confusing messages? His past death for His people and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). We might say that the shepherds presence did not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. The Gospels The Old Testament It works. 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. He is that interested in each of His sheep! It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. Poetical Books Wisdom Literature (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. Pastor John MacArthur. Report an Issue Sermon Correction/Question . Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4a). [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. 4 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006, Baker, Warren (ed. 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. 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. The sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. i. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a 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. Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. Grace Community Church 13248 Roscoe Blvd. April 17, 2011. In these verses, the metaphor changes from God as shepherd to God as host at a special banquet. 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. The Middle Eastern shepherds in Israel didn't drive their sheep their sheep followed them. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. 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. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. [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. So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. The other thing to note on this point is that the entire psalm is only valid for those who truly have Jesus as their shepherd. Everyone loves this Psalm. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. There are stacks of deceptive shepherds around just as there always were. He has also served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. ii. This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. 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! 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. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He will never, ever, leave you! Notice how in times of trials, we become more aware of Gods presence. The good man has his enemies. My cup runs over. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. God is. Shepherd - This imagery of the shepherd and sheep spans the entire Bible but is most prominent in the New Testament where Jesus speaks about His relationship with His people, His sheep. 'Blessed be the day on which that Psalm was born! They probably are anxious about different things. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. Title The entire collection of Psalms is entitled "Praises" in the Hebrew text. They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. But do we believe 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! Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! 27:1). GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Notice the following -. He doesn't stop, and he doesn't give up hope. i. I will believe that thou reignest still. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! 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. John MacArthur (b. (1 Pet 5:1-4, Acts 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). Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. Oh! Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters. He is. 3,580+ | 2 min. To be invited to Gods table is the ultimate honor. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. The intimate portrayal of God as a shepherd is what makes Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable. The sense of this verse then is that, because God is loving and kind, his people can expect God to provide blessings throughout life. We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. In Psalm 22 Christ is the Saviour; in Psalm 23 He is the Satisfier; in Psalm 24 He is the Sovereign. [8] If you are someone that God has placed in a position of leadership or teaching then you should also remember that you are called shepherds and are called to feed the flock of God. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. He is the shepherd that provides and His people will lack no good thing. Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. God wasnt just a shepherd to others in a theoretical sense, but He was Davids shepherd. In Psalm 23, however, the psalmist declares that the Sovereign of the universe, the Creator of all things, can be described using "my," that the Lord attends to me in a personal way. Which is it? And obviously, he would then leave the lamb to die in the wilderness, eaten by its predators! In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. i. 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. Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. He would not be like his Lord if he had not. Gods presence enables David to feast in perfect security. Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. A lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. The Whole Bible This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms!
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