I need to know you are well.' The word PSALM literally means praise and it features works of various characters the majority of which were written by David. 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." The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. 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. Ok, I'm being naughty. Many people were praying for me. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. I will believe that thou reignest still. Notice the following -. But, what makes it so compelling? 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. 3,580+ | 2 min. Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. He who turns the ebb into the flood can soon restore our soul. Historical Books It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. On some days, she was on one side of the valley. 6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahwehs house forever. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren. The MacArthur Bible Commentary: John MacArthur: 9780785250661 But despite this I got on with her pretty well. The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. 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. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. 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. The idea that the LORD is a shepherd to His people is also prevalent throughout the Bible. The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. You may be in a dark place but you must keep walking. Psalm 23 symbolizes the human race as a flock and God as their Shepherd. He is the Shepherd that tends to His flock. Later, rabbis often designated it "The Book of Praises." . Poetical Books Commentary on Psalm 23 - Working Preacher from Luther Seminary Major Prophets But mostly, they were comforting because they were in the hands of a caring shepherd. Basically fear tactics. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? Prophets His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. It makes sense. Minor Prophets Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. The MacArthur Bible Commentary - John F. MacArthur - Google Books To walk indicates the steady advance of a soul which knows its road, knows its end, resolves to follow the path, feels quite safe, and is therefore perfectly calm and composed Observe that it is not walking in the valley, but through the valley. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. Play. Pauline Epistles It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. Historical Books 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.. The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. (Kidner). 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. David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. Major Prophets Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Verses 1-6. Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. General Epistles Our children were still quite young. 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. Sep 8, 1980. It is expressed in this verse - Rom And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. (Heb 5:12-14) [8]. The Old Testament So I started checking myself - heart was still pumping, ears were attached, nose still worked, yes, everything seemed to be in order. (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. For a shepherd, the healing purpose would be significant. 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. You anoint my head with oil; He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. 'Blessed be the day on which that Psalm was born! The instruments used by the shepherd comforted David. It included the most highlighted passage in the Bible which turned out to be this passage: Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. He has also served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. Major Prophets It may portray the straying sheep brought back. A servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the son abideth ever. While I am here I will be a child at home with my God; the whole world shall be his house to me; and when I ascend into the upper chamber, I shall not change my company, nor even change the house; I shall only go to dwell in the upper story of the house of the Lord forever. 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! 'Do I need to be extra careful?' 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.. In Psalm 23, however, the psalmist declares that the Sovereign of the universe, the Creator of all things, can be described using "my," that the Lord attends to me in a personal way. 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. Again, there is comfort in the fact that God directs us and even discipline from the Lord (pulling us back into line!) Prophets The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. - 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). Minor Prophets But whether our fears are irrational or based on very real circumstances, our need to remember the Lord is the same. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Not was, like He helped you in the past. You can check these in your browser security settings. A poor man may say this as well as those in higher circumstances, What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?[6]. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. It works. 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). The overflowing cup symbolizes the Lords generosity. 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 However, many scholars believed David wrote it during his kingship (around 1000 BC to 993 BC). ii. So though 3000 years old it is extremely relevant for our lives today! The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. The little child out at sea in the storm is not frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel, it sleeps in its mothers bosom; it is enough for it that its mother is with it; and it should be enough for the believer to know that Christ is with him Thy rod and thy staff, by which you govern and rule your flock, the ensigns of your sovereignty and of your gracious carethey comfort me. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. I had good medical care. 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. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. ii. Share. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! The Old Testament Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. And finally we have the small matter of that which occurs after 'the days of my life'. 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. Instead of speaking about his Shepherd, David speaks to Him. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. 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! and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. 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. 3 He restores my soul. I. The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. People need to know this beautiful Psalm of David to reorient and renew their thinking. God is his shepherd and his Goda God all-sufficient to all intents and purposes. We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! This one-volume commentary on the entire Bible from one of America's foremost Bible expositors offers instead a minilibrary of understandable resources designed to convey the Bible's overarching message with historical and theological clarity. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. Solid Joys. Minor Prophets The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). People need comfort and encouragement. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. a. Psalms - Grace To You What He is leading, guiding and teaching us is firstly about the inward change to the circumstance even if outwardly things remain the same. 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. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. So our great Shepherd protects and provides for His sheep during their life on this earth. So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. Companionship -- for you are with me. Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters. 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. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John F. MacArthur - Google Play It's not somewhere that you set up camp thinking that is all you will ever know. Its also of paramount importance to recognize that the shepherd in this psalm connotes more than someone who merely herds the flock. Poetical Books Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. Psalm 23 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (complete) - Christianity 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. Bible Commentary by John Macarthur - AbeBooks Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities.