Sproul shared how the Lord used Psalm 23 to bring him daily comfort as he dealt with various health challenges. Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. And finally we have the small matter of that which occurs after 'the days of my life'. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. They believed that something of the persons identity was tied up in the namethat the name expressed something of the persons essential character. 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. He is a great shepherd. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. The shepherd of Israel guides Joseph like a flock; and every believer is under the same guidance: He leadeth me beside the still waters. The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. 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. 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. WebJohn Fullerton MacArthur Jr. (born June 19, 1939) is an American Protestant pastor and author known for his internationally syndicated Christian teaching radio and television program Grace to You. 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. Instead of speaking about his Shepherd, David speaks to Him. His focus is upon the effects of the Fall in the undoing of creation and the manner in which God rids His creation of Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Sure enough, someone guessed pretty quickly that it would be Psalm 23. It is what the Apostle Paul knew when he wrote: Philippians 4:11-13 I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. - 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). 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. But, it does entitle David to experience Gods provision and providence in their midst. (Philip Keller). 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'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. ii. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. God longs to bless and prosper His people. It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. 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! If things are tough, remember this verse. That he had it carefully and readily provided for him. To be invited to a persons table was an honor. Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. And let's not forget they are prone to wander. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 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). All the days of my life; Thats why Psalm 23 is crucially relevant even today. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. The intimate portrayal of God as a shepherd is what makes Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable. 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. Play. May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! he leads me to waters where I can rest: this was the best water. If there is a ditch, they will fall in and need to be rescued. Each guide incorporates extensive commentary, detailed observations on overriding Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He who turns the ebb into the flood can soon restore our soul. Part 2. Beloved, I will ask you now a question. In the United States, a signal honor would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the White House. It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. See here the courage of a dying saint (v. 4): "Having had such experience of God's goodness to me all my days, in six troubles and in seven, I will never distrust him, no, not in the last extremity; the rather because all he has done for me hitherto was not for any merit or desert of mine, but purely for his name's sake, in pursuance of his word, in performance of his promise, and for the glory of his own attributes and relations to his people. But he also knew something else. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. They know that through all things, Jesus is a good shepherd. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. Forever. [2.] The sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. "He restores me when I wander." The still waters by which he leads them yield them, not only a pleasant prospect, but many a cooling draught, many a reviving cordial, when they are thirsty and weary. Current Bid: USD 450.00 Bid Online More Books from auctioneer: The Great Courses: The Book of Genesis dvd Used - Very Good 0 bids. What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? 2. [4]. He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. i. (3.) How would you describe sheep? We have the supports and comforts of this life from God's good hand, our daily bread from him as our Father. He had known famine. It is the work of righteousness that is peace. In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. Solid Joys. Behold just such a one! We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. That is what God desires to work into your life. 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 prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). Anyway, we might have been being a tad naughty but the principle can be quite helpful and this is what I will do with this first verse. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. He is that interested in each of His sheep! We can imagine various meanings for the valley of the shadow of death.. Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). 3 He He remembered what need they had of a shepherd, and what a kindness it was to them to have one that was skilful and faithful; he once ventured his life to rescue a lamb. Salem Media Group. d. For You are with me: This emphasizes that it is the presence of the shepherd that eliminated the fear of evil for the sheep. In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. Konto i listy Zwroty i zamwienia. What humanity needs now is the restoration of hope and joy. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. Do you? The Analogy of God and the Shepherd in Psalm 23, The Lord As A Shepherd Who Provides (Verse 1), The Lord As A Shepherd Who Guides (Verses 2-3), The Protection And Comfort From Gods Presence (Verse 4), The Blessings of God Amidst Danger (Verse 5), Faith-Filled Content Delivered To Your Inbox, Best NASB Study Bibles Ranked & Reviewed, The Best Bible for Young Adults: Buyers Guide. Please read and believe! God shines His light into our lives. WebGod used both the educational system of Egypt and his exile in Midian to prepare Moses to represent his people before a powerful pharaoh and to guide his people through the wilderness of the Sinai peninsula during his final 40 years ( Acts 7:36 ). 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. In this he had certainly an eye, not only to the blessings of God's providence, which made his outward condition prosperous, but to the communications of God's grace, received by a lively faith, and returned in a warm devotion, which filled his soul with joy unspeakable. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. Is one better than the other? The Saviours Cross. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. b. You will have much more pressing concerns. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. 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.. Psalm 40 - The Pit and the Pierced Ear in the Paths of God, Psalm 41: The pattern of betrayal - Past, present and future (P1), Psalm 55: The pattern of betrayal: Past, present and future (P2), Psalm 69 - The restoration and the zeal of the Lord, Psalm 102 - Change and the Unchangeable One, Psalm 110: Jesus the Messiah - Our Lord and King, Psalm 110: Jesus our priest in the order of Melchizedek. Sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and his sheep today walk through waters! Shepherd, David speaks to him I will be with you ; do this in remembrance of me may! That it would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the serene atmosphere this. Believers position, he may walk through the waters, I will be, like you look to. 22 he dies ; in Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable he knew what he was about. 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