The sense of this verse then is that, because God is loving and kind, his people can expect God to provide blessings throughout life. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. The green pastures and waters spoken of in this verse were often some distance apart and the shepherd would have to lead his flock to these places. 6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahwehs house forever. Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. (1.) These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. 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.'. i. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. The Whole Bible ), The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. But he also knew something else. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Poetical Books Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. The intimate portrayal of God as a shepherd is what makes Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable. The MacArthur Commentaries Series | SermonAudio Shepherds use the rod and staff to guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. and flame will not scorch you. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. The paths that the Shepherd takes us on are the righteous or 'right' paths. MON 10/20/2014. 'Blessed be the day on which that Psalm was born! Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. He rammed it home so much that come lunch time we were saying 'I WILL eat my lunch', 'I will EAT my lunch.' Nov. 10, 2012. As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. 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] . He is. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me ), which the WEB has updated. In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. Psalms 23 - Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - StudyLight.org 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). How much would you have had in your cup? (Spurgeon), ii. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. (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. The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). Companionship -- for you are with me. He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. This name is 'Yahweh', the sovereign, almighty, delivering God. Can you say that about your life? My cup runs over (Hebrew: rewayah) (v. 5c). Our God does not withhold anything good from His flock. Minor Prophets The shepherds guidance not only comforted and restored David but also led His sheep to righteousness. . Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. With this verse, he begins to use the second person (you and your). But we need to learn to lie down. In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' The mercy here comes from the Hebrew word Hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness. They will not lie down if they are afraid. It offers a broad overview of each Bible book and the internal consistency that results from having a single commentator. Regardless of destitution, famine, storms, and other uncertainties, Gods flock is well-provided for in all seasons. Included in the "better" provisions are: a better hope . i. iii. 3 He restores my soul. There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. Scripture: Psalm 23. b. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point The Believer's Confession of Sin. Which is it? No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! Lord's Day Services. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. The Macarthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur (2005, Hardcover Minor Prophets Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. We may request cookies to be set on your device. I will believe that thou reignest still. Johannine Writings 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. There you have it. Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. 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. I have a lady at my work who, after saying something that she felt may tempt fate, said 'touch wood'. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. God refuses to let the godly go hungry. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? See here, 1. Luke-Acts Psalm 23 Commentary: The Lord Is My Shepherd Explained John MacArthur, Pastor-Teacher. On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. It was never used on the sheep. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. (1 Pet 5:1-4, Acts Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. Commentaries; Sermons. Major Prophets Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. John MacArthur. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. 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. Why is Psalm 23 one of the most well-known Psalms and the favorite biblical passage of many? 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]. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. I live in New Zealand, and yes, I know, we have more sheep than people! He is a dove, not an eagle; the dew, not the hurricane.[3]. Play. Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. He doesn't stop, and he doesn't give up hope. Jesus honors us by inviting us to his table, saying, This is my body that is for you. It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. Behold just such a one! Verses 1-6. And we know the Jesus Himself took upon this title of 'the good Shepherd'. Scripture: Psalm 23. Wisdom Literature We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. Major Prophets GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point To be invited to a persons table was an honor. Many people were praying for me. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. The MacArthur Bible Commentary: John MacArthur: 9780785250661 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. And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. 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! Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. The Third Commandment says, You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name (Exodus 20:7). He had known famine. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. God is like a shepherd to David. Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banished the fear of evil. 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. Date: 1/31/2021. David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. The Saviours Cross. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him His present care and provision for His people The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. ), 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. The New Testament Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Psalm 23 symbolizes the human race as a flock and God as their Shepherd. When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God (Psalm 42:1). See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. 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! Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! 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. Sure enough, someone guessed pretty quickly that it would be Psalm 23. I recently did a study on this psalm for a home group church meeting. So I started checking myself - heart was still pumping, ears were attached, nose still worked, yes, everything seemed to be in order. Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. Then from the pulpit you would hear the same person say that if you didn't do this, this, and this you could lose your salvation or the Holy Spirit would leave you etc. Pentateuch So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. A poor man may say this as well as those in higher circumstances, What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?[6]. The word PSALM literally means praise and it features works of various characters the majority of which were written by David. That seldom accomplishes His purposes and the rest of the Psalm show that these things do occur. 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! Psalm's 22, 23 and 24 give different glimpses of this wonderful Shepherd. Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. 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). You anoint my head with oil; It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. For other references to the shadow of death, see Jeremiah 2:6 and Job 10:21-22. This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. 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. The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, My. He does not say, The Lord is the shepherd of the world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as his flock, but The Lord is my shepherd; if he be a Shepherd to no one else, he is a Shepherd to me; he cares for me, watches over me, and preserves me. The words are in the present tense. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Yea, prosperity not only so intoxicates many, as to carry them . Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. But the confidence David had is that the great shepherd will always know what we need and when to provide it. What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. [6]. April 17, 2011. It will go singing to your children and my children, and to their children, through all the generations of time; nor will it fold its wings till the last pilgrim is safe, and time ended; and then it shall fly back to the bosom of God, whence it issued, and sound on, mingled with all those sounds of celestial joy which make heaven musical for ever. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. You will have much more pressing concerns. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! 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. He is in control. (wpe). i. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. They probably are anxious about different things. Psalms 23 - Dr. Constable's Expository Notes - Bible Commentaries The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. He lived in the confident hope that it would continue for the rest of his life. How would you describe sheep? Bible Introductions - Psalms by John MacArthur - Blue Letter Bible 'Is something bad going to happen to me?' When we get tired we take a rest. The center point of this psalm is for you are with me. In the original Hebrew language, there are 26 words before this phrase, and 26 afterwards (Limburg, 74). They can't run all that fast, don't have the greatest eye sight apparently and, being basically defenceless, are timid and fearful. PDF Psalm 23 - Verse 5 In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. A sheep is an object of property, not a wild animal; its owner sets great store by it, and frequently it is bought with a great price. In Psalm 22 Christ is the Saviour; in Psalm 23 He is the Satisfier; in Psalm 24 He is the Sovereign. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. God's Testimony to the Scriptures. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? 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. (Kidner). i. It may portray the straying sheep brought back. It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. 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. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. 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. John MacArthur (b. 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). 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. God is the one who looks after our lives. The image exudes a sense of rest, comfort, and care. 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?' He talks about going through it, showing that he expects to emerge from its shadows into the light on the other side. He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. 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. (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 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. It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. I'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. The Gospels Luke-Acts 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. Historical Books Luke-Acts You can find a family who have brought up children to being young adults and have never owned a bed. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. Share. Instead of speaking about his Shepherd, David speaks to Him. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. Depression and other illnesses can enshroud us in darkness and threaten us with death. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.. Rev 21:3-4, 'Forever' is a long time, but this infinitely creative God will never fail to amaze us. 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! And I will dwell in the house of the LORDforever: The psalm ends with the calmest assurance that he would enjoy the presence of the LORD forever both in his days on this earth and beyond. Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. David had it right in placing his trust in the one true God who controls all things. So our great Shepherd protects and provides for His sheep during their life on this earth. Under Johns leadership, Grace Community Church's two morning worship services fill the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed Now mine was a recent silly example. The wonder of wonders is that through the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives we can actually go through these times without fear! This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. In light of all these truths, we must respond promptly. Near death, the saint still calmly walks he does not need to quicken his pace in alarm or panic. That was his role growing up. Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me. Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. But we have the testimony from the Shepherd also how he loved the sheep and would never let them go! GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. 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. He is utterly trustworthy. John Piper Sep 1, 1980. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! 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. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. 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.

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