Hence he infers that he should want no good (ver 1), that he needed to fear no evil (ver 4), that God would never leave nor forsake him in a way of mercy; and therefore he resolves never to leave nor forsake God in a way of duty, ver 6. The idea that the LORD is a shepherd to His people is also prevalent throughout the Bible. 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? The hosts care and concern doesnt eliminate the presence of my enemies but enables the experience of Gods goodness and bounty even in their midst. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. The Psalms are Hebrew poetry, and the title of the book comes from the Greek Septuagint. The Saviours Cross. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' When the sheep are hungry or are anxious about food, they cant lie down peacefully. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. The great confidence which believers have in God: "If the Lord is my shepherd, my feeder, I may conclude I shall not want any thing that is really necessary and good for me." Are we blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances? It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! The LORD is Click on the different category headings to find out more. The rest of the Psalm exhibits the shepherding care of God that is essential to life. The Shepherds Crook. It is expressed in this verse - Rom His future return for His people as the King of Glory! How confidently he counts upon the continuance of God's favours, v. 6. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. With what I have I am pleased much; with what I hope for I am pleased more." All the days of my life; Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (5.) God anoints His people with oil just like how shepherds anoint their sheep with oil. The good shepherd will not only conduct, but convoy, his sheep through the valley, where they are in danger of being set upon by the beasts of prey, the ravening wolves; he will not only convoy them, but comfort then when they most need comfort. It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. Though God may suffer his people to fall into sin, he will not suffer them to lie still in it. 1.Jehovah is my shepherd. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. David had extreme confidence in who God IS right now! Observe, (1.) In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. (1.) Thank God for such times! 'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual?' Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 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. Oh! It becomes more personal in this valley! The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. iii. They can't run all that fast, don't have the greatest eye sight apparently and, being basically defenceless, are timid and fearful. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. God is like a shepherd to David. You prepare a table (Hebrew: sulhan) before me in the presence of my enemies (v. 5a). WebPsalm 23:4. It is the valley of the shadow, deep indeed, and dark, and dirty; but the valleys are fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people. (2.) They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. There are stacks of deceptive shepherds around just as there always were. Maclaren writes: The rod and the staff seem to be two names for one instrument, which was used both to beat off predatory animals and to direct the sheep.. Its also of paramount importance to recognize that the shepherd in this psalm connotes more than someone who merely herds the flock. 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. MON 10/20/2014. ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. Our children were still quite young. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. The gospel is called the rod of Christ's strength (Ps 110 2), and there is enough in that to comfort the saints when they come to die, and underneath them are the everlasting arms. 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. I live in New Zealand, and yes, I know, we have more sheep than people! But observe: Thou preparest a table, just as a servant does when she unfolds the damask cloth and displays the ornaments of the feast on an ordinary peaceful occasion. I have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because The Lord is my shepherd. The wicked always want, but the righteous never; a sinners heart is far from satisfaction, but a gracious spirit dwells in a palace of content.[2]. Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. 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 wasn't a nice dream at all '. From God's being his shepherd he infers that he shall not want anything that is good for him, v. 1. 1 Samuel 17:35), and the latter for control since discipline is security., iii. Every Christian is a priest, but he cannot execute the priestly office without unction, and hence we must go day by day to God the Holy Ghost, that we may have our heads anointed with oil. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). Do this in remembrance of me. Paul affirms the importance of this table ministry when he says, For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:24, 26). If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. and Kahane, Ahuvia, The Oxford English-Hebrew Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 1998), Fohrer, Georg, Hebrew & Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament (SCM Press, 2012), Freedman, David Noel (ed. Death is not the house but the porch, not the goal but the passage to it Many a saint has reaped more joy and knowledge when he came to die than he ever knew while he lived. Thankfully I didn't go far down that track but it can plant this little seed of fear in your mind if you let it. The way of duty is the truly pleasant way. 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! In the United States, a signal honor would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the White House. This is a great shame because it is not a psalm of death! Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? Witamy, zaloguj si. Behold just such a one! The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. The divine guidance they are under is stripped of its metaphor (v. 3): He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, in the way of my duty; in that he instructs me by his word and directs me by conscience and providence. 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. May we live in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh anointing for every days duties. Psalm's 22, 23 and 24 give different glimpses of this wonderful Shepherd. ), 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. God as our shepherd not only leads but restores as well. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. i. This immediately gives to us the indication that this is one of those Messianic psalms. The Hebrew word for rod (shaybet) here seems to simply mean a stick with a variety of applications. And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! 'Do I need to be extra careful?' This table represents all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! Notice the following -. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' Now mine was a recent silly example. Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. It is by a constancy of the means of grace that the soul is fed. 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. WebPsalm 23. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. WebMark 9-16 MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Volume 6 : Macarthur, John: Amazon.pl: Ksiki. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death Through a dark and dismal valley, full of terrors and dangers, as this phrase signifies, Job 24:17; Psalm Which is it? Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.. That he had it carefully and readily provided for him. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Once he sent his men a begging for him to Nabal, and another time went himself a begging to Ahimelech; and yet, when he considers that God is his shepherd, he can boldly say, I shall not want. From his performing the office of a good shepherd to him he infers that he needs not fear any evil in the greatest dangers and difficulties he could be in, v. 2-4. Psalm 23 is a wonderful masterpiece of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths. If God be as a shepherd to us, we must be as sheep, inoffensive, meek, and quiet, silent before the shearers, nay, and before the butcher too, useful and sociable; we must know the shepherd's voice, and follow him. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Here is. So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? He is the shepherd that provides and His people will lack no good thing. As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God (Psalm 42:1). WebTHIS psalm is one of those which have been called "composite"; and certainly it falls into two parts which offer the strongest possible contrast the one to the other. WebInteractive Bible study with John Piper. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. Believe with the same confidence David had. It records, as has been said, "the triumph of a warrior's faith." What he promises himselfgoodness and mercy, all the streams of mercy flowing from the fountain, pardoning mercy, protecting mercy, sustaining mercy, supplying mercy. How resolutely he determines to cleave to God and to his duty. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. Psalm 23 commentary is a holy piece of work that exudes different kinds of emotions. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. WebView all of our resources on the biblical book of Psalms. i. 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. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. He is. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Those that feed on God's goodness must follow his direction; he leads them by his providence, by his word, by his Spirit, disposes of their affairs for the best, according to his counsel, disposes their affections and actions according to his command, directs their eye, their way, and their heart, into his love. What is characteristic of them? [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. He had a sidekick with him who spoke on 'I will build my church'. People need comfort and encouragement. 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! (2.) John MacArthur. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). They know that through all things, Jesus is a good shepherd. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! God shines His light into our lives. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? [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. The constancy of it: All the days of my life, as duly as the day comes; it shall be new every morning (Lam 3 22, 23) like the manna that was given to the Israelites daily. In terms of how it is loved, look at how one old theologian from the 1800's spoke of it. I will fear no evil. 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. See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. Note, A child of God may meet the messengers of death, and receive its summons with a holy security and serenity of mind. [4]. 3. 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. Those that would be satisfied with the fatness of God's house must keep close to the duties of it. 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! You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.. He was the son of Jesse and a direct descendant of Abraham. David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. [1.] the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. You will have much more pressing concerns. Jesus honors us by inviting us to his table, saying, This is my body that is for you. The good man has his enemies. 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. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. But, it does entitle David to experience Gods provision and providence in their midst. I started off by saying that I wanted to have a look at what is probably the most popular chapter in the entire Old Testament. 2. It's not somewhere that you set up camp thinking that is all you will ever know. Brief but well done notes 1,275 ratings I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. With family of say, a mother, a father, 3 or four children, and only one in the family working and bringing in 3 dollars (a day), it would takes ages before one can afford to buy anything extra, even clothes or even a blanket. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? (3.) Instead of speaking about his Shepherd, David speaks to Him. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. 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). (Whew!) No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! God is his shepherd and his Goda God all-sufficient to all intents and purposes. We read the last clause as David's covenant with God: "I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (as long as I live), and I will praise him while I have any being." Articles Messages Books Podcasts Filter Resources By Ask Pastor John. And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. Blessed is the man. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Book comes from the fact that it starts getting a lot of problems the Pearl the... Pleased more. or enemy ever takes him by surprise lot more personal an... Loves peace, and even death with its gloom shall not find me destitute be them. Do all things, Jesus is a wonderful masterpiece of David that contains and. Pluralto cleanse, to fertilize, to refresh, to refresh, to,! To us the indication that this is a great shame because it is so personal of... Is Almighty God is our shepherd sheep now does n't mean that the track that the Almighty is!: 'All ok with you it records, as has been said ``... Of Israel, your Savior ( Isaiah 43:1-3 ) not gain comfort the! 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