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Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. We can imagine various meanings for the valley of the shadow of death.. They know that it will be ok. He will not, and cannot forsake you if you are one of His sheep! Basically fear tactics. It's not for the goats. Other than the president and family, only a handful of people have been invited to make the White House their homeand then only for a few years. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). Psalm 19. (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 have a lady at my work who, after saying something that she felt may tempt fate, said 'touch wood'. The New Testament To be invited to Gods table is the ultimate honor. It is getting harder to live on this planet - from a health point of view, from a financial point of view, from a spiritual and moral point of view, from a fear and anxiety point of view - there is much that a person could be concerned about. They are dumb, dirty, defenceless and dependant. Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. This unspeakably delightful verse has been sung on many a dying bed, and has helped to make the dark valley bright times out of mind. Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. Pentateuch Some of the most obvious are: 1) the wisdom type with instructions for right living; 2) lamentation patterns which deal with the pangs of life (usually arising from enemies without); 3) penitential psalms (mostly dealing with the "enemy" within, i.e., sin); 4) kingship emphases (universal or mediatorial; theocratic and/or messianic rule); and 5) Your partnership makes all we do possible. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven .' The mercy here comes from the Hebrew word Hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness. He first spoke them for Israels sake, but he caused Isaiah to record them for our sake. This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. The word hesed also has a variety of meanings kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, or love. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. But the shepherds here use dogs and fences to drive and control the sheep. 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. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. In that culture, people considered a persons name to be more than a simple label to identify that person. 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 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.'. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. In the end, in whatever it is that places you in fear or unease, you have to come back to this very thought we are speaking of here - 'The Lord is my shepherd' - He is in control of all things. Historical Books But the confidence David had is that the great shepherd will always know what we need and when to provide it. He was refreshed by a head anointed with oil; his cup was over-filled. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point 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. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. Nor have I ever heard an audible voice that was clearly God's telling me which decisions to make. He is in control. They would travel from oasis to oasis. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! The Whole Bible It has not made the dying Christian slave freer than his masterNor is its work done. ISBN 10: 0785250662 ISBN 13: . ii. When we get tired we take a rest. Wisdom Literature He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. The rod of Jesse shall still be over me as the sovereign succor of my soul.[5]. b. But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. They probably are anxious about different things. Minor Prophets God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! A lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. and flame will not scorch you. What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. 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. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. Together with goodness it suggests the steady kindness and support that one can count on in the family or between firm friends. (Kidner), ii. The Middle Eastern shepherds in Israel didn't drive their sheep their sheep followed them. So to be Gods guest is to be more than an acquaintance, invited for a day. Now David wasn't saying here that 'the Lord is my Shepherd, whom I do not want'! PSALM 23:1-4. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. The Believer's Confession of Sin. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. The shepherds guidance not only comforted and restored David but also led His sheep to righteousness. He will never, ever, leave you! 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; God refuses to let the godly go hungry. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. Now I want to break this first verse up into each little section so that we can get a better grasp as to what David was saying. A magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host; who has not only the bounty to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security. (Clarke). The image portrays that God has the power to feed and protect David. the peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances! David wrote about this in Psalm 25. The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. When I was serving in Vietnam as a chaplain, I visited soldiers in the A Shau Valley near Laos. Jesus took this name for Himself when He said 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!' It doesn't mean that anything outwardly has to change. We are so invited and not just occasionally but foreverthe honor that exceeds all other honors. i. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. ii. Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. He is. Luke-Acts Play. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of theLordforever. These twin guardian angels will always be with me at my back and my beck. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. This is a great shame because it is not a psalm of death! 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. He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. Regardless of destitution, famine, storms, and other uncertainties, Gods flock is well-provided for in all seasons. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. The anointed writer of Psalm 23 was King David. 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. [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. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. When flies or parasites annoy them, its hard for them to be at rest. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. (wpe). 3,580+ | 2 min. 6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahwehs house forever. "It [ Psalm 23] has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. 3 He restores my soul. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. But we need to learn to lie down. 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.. I will believe that thou reignest still. Sure enough, someone guessed pretty quickly that it would be Psalm 23. It is a psalm written by David who grew up as a shepherd. Are any of us low in grace? It becomes more personal in this valley! Psalm 23 commentary is a holy piece of work that exudes different kinds of emotions. The Shepherds Crook. God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. Wisdom Literature The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. Nothing is hurried, there is no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace. (Spurgeon). Note the pronoun change in this verse. For them, it truly was the valley of the shadow of death. In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. b. It is great advice but more than likely it is the most highlighted passage because people are in desperate need to remember it! Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. He wants to genuinely bless His people and live in the abundance of His grace. 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. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. b. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: This line from the psalm and the psalm as a whole has proven itself precious to many a dying saint through the ages. This is a psalm of trust and confidence in God's goodness in the present and in the future. 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. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 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]. Can you say that about your life? [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! The MacArthur Bible Commentary treats every passage of the Old and New Testaments phrase by phrase, with hundreds of word studies and sidebars throughout. Depression and other illnesses can enshroud us in darkness and threaten us with death. 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. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. 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 Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. (Whew!) 27:1). David wrote this while remembering his fearful experiences. Our children were still quite young. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. John Piper Sep 8, 1980 Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. A great promise indeed! Historical Books The book of Psalms is so unique because it focuses on the character of God. Historical Books i. 1 Samuel 17:35), and the latter for control since discipline is security., iii. John MacArthur. In either case, the sulhan represented an intimate table fellowship, just as a dinner table does today. He had a sidekick with him who spoke on 'I will build my 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. I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. Wow! David had it right in placing his trust in the one true God who controls all things. Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). The comforts of a living saint. But that is not how it is in the dry arid lands of the Middle East and we need to read this Psalm with that mindset. Commentaries; Sermons. Do you? ), The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. Pentateuch The sheep may crack their skull just to ease the suffering to get rid of the brain-eating parasites. [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Title: The MacArthur Bible Commentary By: John MacArthur Format: Hardcover Number of Pages: 2040 Vendor: Thomas Nelson Publication Date: 2005 Dimensions: 9.75 X 6.75 X 2.75 (inches) Weight: 3 pounds 11 ounces ISBN: 0785250662 ISBN-13: 9780785250661 Stock No: WW250662 Related Products The Jesus You Can't Ignore: Study $7.49 $9.99 Save 25% Minor Prophets Verse 4 has a dark tone that embodies the possibility of traversing through the valley of death even in the presence of the shepherd. Luke-Acts Psalm 22 speaks of the past; Psalm 23 speaks of the present; and Psalm 24 speaks of the future. Behold just such a one! King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used. (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. He is the Shepherd that tends to His flock. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. I will fear no evil. David gives a beautiful picture: table suggests bounty; prepare suggests foresight and care; before me suggests the personal connection. As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God (Psalm 42:1). (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. Pauline Epistles 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. But mostly, they were comforting because they were in the hands of a caring shepherd. Sun Valley, CA 91352 Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. My cup runs over (Hebrew: rewayah) (v. 5c). See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. Solid Joys. David found him so, and so have we. 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! However, the sheep do not easily lie down. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. 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. 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. 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. And he awaits the day when the great shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in the skies. You are not your own but were bought with a price! As the shepherd led the sheep from oasis to oasis, this sometimes meant passing through narrow valleys that had steep cliff faces on each side. Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. The epistle to the Hebrews is a study in contrast, between the imperfect and incomplete provisions of the Old Covenant, given under Moses, and the infinitely better provisions of the New Covenant offered by the perfect High-Priest, God's only Son and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Use semicolons to separate groups: 'Gen;Jdg;Psa-Mal' or 'Rom 3-12;Mat 1:15;Mat 5:12-22', There are options set in 'Advanced Options', The Whole Bible 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. 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. David had extreme confidence in who God IS right now! You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! 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?' i. This is the condition of Gods servant always conflict, but always a spread table. (Maclaren), ii. Poetical Books 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! I need to know you are well.' You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' They also keep a vigilant and watchful eye out for poisonous plants and wild animals. 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. Cookie Notice: They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4a). 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! David knew all about this. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. No matter his present environment, David could look to the fact of Gods shepherd-like presence and know, You are with me and I will fear no evil.. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. But we have the testimony from the Shepherd also how he loved the sheep and would never let them go! And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. Minor Prophets The Whole Bible That was a question that was once sent to me. Email / username or password was incorrect! Prophets His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. You can find a family who have brought up children to being young adults and have never owned a bed. When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. What great confidence! Oh! i. Major Prophets Luke-Acts Psalm 23 Bible Study - Jesus our Great Shepherd! conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. God is the one who looks after our lives. It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place. He is that interested in each of His sheep! Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. He had known famine. 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.