Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. You can check these in your browser security settings. A number of our soldiers died there. Published by Thomas Nelson, 2005. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. 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. Nov. 10, 2012. Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Historical Books It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. Liberated for Life : Galatians - a Bible Commentary for Laymen by John F. MacArthur and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! Pentateuch David wrote Psalm 23 based on his experiences with God. 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. 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. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. Our children were still quite young. (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. He was aware of the potential dangers that may befall him. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. A poor man may say this as well as those in higher circumstances, What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?[6]. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! Play. Surely goodness (Hebrew: tob) and loving kindness (Hebrew: hesed) shall follow me all the days of my life (v. 6a). 3,580+ | 2 min. 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. Date: 1/31/2021. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Can you say that about your life? Psalm 23 is a wonderful masterpiece of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths. It is expressed in this verse - Rom Pauline Epistles Is it Messianic? And let's not forget they are prone to wander. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. Near death, the saint still calmly walks he does not need to quicken his pace in alarm or panic. Gods presence removed the fear in David and comforted him. Psalm 19. We are so invited and not just occasionally but foreverthe honor that exceeds all other honors. That is what God desires to work into your life. He is a popular conference speaker and the president of both The Master's College and The Master's Seminary. i. Verse 1. I have called you by your name. They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren. It makes sense. 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. In Psalm 22 He gives His life for the sheep; in Psalm 23 He gives His love to the sheep; in Psalm 24 He gives us light when He shall appear. It becomes more personal in this valley! (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. 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. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. Sep 8, 1980. - Henry Ward Beecher, [2] J Vernon McGee writes 'to put it succinctly, in Psalm 22 we see the cross, in Psalm 23 the crook (the Shepherd's crook), and in Psalm 24 the crown (the King's crown). So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (v. 4c). 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). Now David wasn't saying here that 'the Lord is my Shepherd, whom I do not want'! He was the son of Jesse and a direct descendant of Abraham. Psalm 23 commentary is a holy piece of work that exudes different kinds of emotions. Now mine was a recent silly example. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point He will never, ever, leave you! Johannine Writings Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. However, he was confident that God is with him all the time. 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. He who turns the ebb into the flood can soon restore our soul. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. They are well placed, well laid: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Pauline Epistles Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Verse 4 has a dark tone that embodies the possibility of traversing through the valley of death even in the presence of the shepherd. Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. (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 enemy was strongly entrenched there, and was determined to stay. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. 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 written by David who grew up as a shepherd. [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. I will fear no evil. Pastor John MacArthur. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. Luke-Acts Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. Historical Books Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. The sheep may crack their skull just to ease the suffering to get rid of the brain-eating parasites. "Staff," that on which one leans, emblem of Divine strength and . The Hebrew word rewayah suggests abundanceeven superabundance. (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. I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. . God refuses to let the godly go hungry. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). 'Do I need to be extra careful?' This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. The Believer's Confession of Sin. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. But, it does entitle David to experience Gods provision and providence in their midst. There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. Poetical Books In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven .' The word through is important. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. God shines His light into our lives. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter's angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. 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. [12] Must admit that I have been dealing with a few trials lately and when I read this verse it kind of caught me by surprise! Psalm 107. Title The entire collection of Psalms is entitled "Praises" in the Hebrew text. [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway a. This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. 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). can be seen as comforting for it is a sign that He loves us scripture says (Heb 12:6). 19 (Dallas: Word Books, 1983), Hartley, J.E., in Bromiley, Geoffrey (General Editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Volume Three: K-P Revised (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1986), Keller, W. Phillip, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970, 2007, 2015), Kidner, Derek, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72, Vol. The rod of Jesse shall still be over me as the sovereign succor of my soul.[5]. May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. That symmetric bracketing was a literary device intended to focus attention on the middle phrase, for you are with me. Gods saving presence is the focal point of this psalm. 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. Major Prophets As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. Why is Psalm 23 one of the most well-known Psalms and the favorite biblical passage of many? Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4a). Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. We in turn should allow that light to shine forth towards others so that people may see our lives and praise God. And obviously, he would then leave the lamb to die in the wilderness, eaten by its predators! It was never used on the sheep. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 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. And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! 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! Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Shepherds use the rod and staff to guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. ), 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. Significantly, it is at the dangerous moment pictured in the psalm that the He of Psalm 23:1-3 changes to You. The LORD as Shepherd is now in the second person. Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. 14a (Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), Limburg, James, Westminster Bible Companion: Psalms (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000, Mays, James Luther, Interpretation: Psalms (Louisville: John Knox, 1994), McCann, J. Clinton, Jr., The New Interpreters Bible: The Book of Psalms, Vol. Kidner notes: The rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) and staff (to walk with, and to round up the flock) were the shepherds weapon and implement: the former for defence (cf. The Gospels It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! But the confidence David had is that the great shepherd will always know what we need and when to provide it. 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. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. The word hesed also has a variety of meanings kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, or love. 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! And he awaits the day when the great shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in the skies. In the United States, a signal honor would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the White House. This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. 1.Jehovah is my shepherd. He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. The concept dates back to the Book of Genesis when Jacob referred to the LORD as the Shepherd and the Rock of Israel (Genesis 49:24). They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me . This verse doesn't mean that there will not be times of drought, valleys, difficulties and need--- far from it God loves you too much to just make things always easy! 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. He is utterly trustworthy. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy 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! [11] I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern Shepherds. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. (wpe). Everyone loves this Psalm. In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. Psalms 23. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. i. I had good medical care. You are mine. This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. David found him so, and so have we. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). But it is alluded to such as in Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water." However, Gods care for David doesnt remove the presence of his adversaries. I'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. It's not somewhere that you set up camp thinking that is all you will ever know. 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. He guides us and leads us along the right and true paths. [3], The LORD - The first thing to note is the source of David's comfort. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David.
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