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Published by Thomas Nelson, 2005. If we could be saved from wrath, and yet remain unregenerate, impenitent sinners, we should not be saved as we desire, for we mainly and chiefly pant to be saved from sin and led in the way of holiness.[4]. The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. 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. He is. Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. Text: Psalm 23 Ministry: Anchored. In that culture, people considered a persons name to be more than a simple label to identify that person. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. 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. Well, having said that I should say that you will be free from fear to the degree that you know He is with you - rain, hail and shine. God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). ), 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. Excellent for: personal and family devotions pastoral study preparing Sunday-school lessons using with a small group simply readingeach volume draws you in It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. The sense of this verse then is that, because God is loving and kind, his people can expect God to provide blessings throughout life. When we get tired we take a rest. In Psalm 23, we are compared to sheep who do not have a sense of direction, are hopeless, and are weak who need a Shepherd. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. And he awaits the day when the great shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in the skies. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. the peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances! They believed that something of the persons identity was tied up in the namethat the name expressed something of the persons essential character. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. How much would you have had in your cup? (Spurgeon), ii. No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. It is a bit difficult to ascertain the exact time Psalm 23 was written. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. 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. 'My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. There are stacks of deceptive shepherds around just as there always were. The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. My cup runs over. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. There is no fear of biting the bare ground where the grass is long enough for the flock to lie down in it. Articles Messages Books Podcasts Filter Resources By Ask Pastor John. The mercy here comes from the Hebrew word Hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness. 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. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point On other days, she was on the other side. 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. for his names sake (v. 3c). It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Commentaries; Sermons. The overflowing cup symbolizes the Lords generosity. Pentateuch Nothing is outside of His control. But mostly, they were comforting because they were in the hands of a caring shepherd. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. Ouch. 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. The Believer's Confession of Sin. Everything will be ok. You can also change some of your preferences. 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. 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. Which is it? Psalm 23 is a wonderful masterpiece of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. Sun Valley, CA 91352 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). This name is 'Yahweh', the sovereign, almighty, delivering God. Topical Series; DVD Series; Bible Series; Flash Drives; Bundles . [10]. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. - 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). 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! You anoint my head with oil; 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). But despite this I got on with her pretty well. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. Peace -- for He leads me beside the still waters. Major Prophets It becomes more personal in this valley! Included in the "better" provisions are: a better hope . 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. But how does God do this? If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. c. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over: Despite the dangers about and the presence of enemies, David enjoyed the richness of his hosts goodness. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? It offers a broad overview of each Bible book and the internal consistency that results from having a single commentator. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. The word through is important. Verse 4 has a dark tone that embodies the possibility of traversing through the valley of death even in the presence of the shepherd. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. and flame will not scorch you. He is a dove, not an eagle; the dew, not the hurricane.[3]. Yea, prosperity not only so intoxicates many, as to carry them . And I used to always think 'Well! Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. Receive uplifting scriptures, inspiring articles & helpful guides to encourage your faith. 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. David had extreme confidence in who God IS right now! (23) Seller Location . The Old Testament Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. i. Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. When the sheep are hungry or are anxious about food, they cant lie down peacefully. The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. Davids song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. He will not, and cannot forsake you if you are one of His sheep! The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. 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]. April 17, 2011. You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). 'Blessed be the day on which that Psalm was born! Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. Like the Greek word agape (love) in the New Testament, hesed (lovingkindness) involves actionkindness or love expressed through kind or loving actions rather than just feelings. (Proverbs 10:3). We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. General Epistles You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.. They are dumb, dirty, defenceless and dependant. It doesn't mean that anything outwardly has to change. Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. Psalm's 22, 23 and 24 give different glimpses of this wonderful Shepherd. [5], We need to remind ourselves of this all the time. 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. Learn More | Livestream | Bulletin Servicios en espaol. Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). 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. This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. The Saviours Cross. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. We in turn should allow that light to shine forth towards others so that people may see our lives and praise God. 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. Grace Community Church 13248 Roscoe Blvd. Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. What is characteristic of them? He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. The MacArthur Bible Commentary treats every passage of the Old and New Testaments phrase by phrase, with hundreds of word studies and sidebars throughout. However, Gods care for David doesnt remove the presence of his adversaries. b. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. Scripture: Psalm 23. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven .' On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. When I was serving in Vietnam as a chaplain, I visited soldiers in the A Shau Valley near Laos. But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. Regardless of destitution, famine, storms, and other uncertainties, Gods flock is well-provided for in all seasons. For I am Yahweh your God, 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. They will not lie down if they are afraid. Why is Psalm 23 one of the most well-known Psalms and the favorite biblical passage of many? It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. John Piper Sep 1, 1980. Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . In my experience I have never seen a visible manifestation of God going before me at a fork in the road. The Gospels He would not be like his Lord if he had not. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, The Gospels Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible He is a popular conference speaker and the president of both The Master's College and The Master's Seminary. 3 He restores my soul. Pauline Epistles But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. The image portrays that God has the power to feed and protect David. 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. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. He is that interested in each of His sheep! ii. And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. This is a great shame because it is not a psalm of death! Jesus took this name for Himself when He said 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!' Why the double standard of confusing messages? There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. However, the oil does not just protect the sheep from nuisance. We are smart enough to do this in the physical. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. The book of Psalms is the most quoted book in the New Testament, and Jesus would refer a lot to the Book of Psalms even in His claims and teachings. Sep 8, 1980. He is utterly trustworthy. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4a). [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway 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.. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: The hosts care brought the goodness and mercy of God to David, and he lived in the faithful expectation of it continuing all the days of his life. The New Testament 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! Wisdom Literature The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). David claimed that the same God who faithfully rescued the Israelites from Egypt and provided guidance and provision in the wilderness is the same faithful God he served. You will have much more pressing concerns. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. There you have it. It was never used on the sheep. 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. 1TheLordis my shepherd; I shall not want. 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. 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. Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. (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. Readers benefit from the coherence a single commentator provides, finding faithful, understandable, and . He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. The rest of the Psalm exhibits the shepherding care of God that is essential to life. 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. But we need to learn to lie down. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! They can't run all that fast, don't have the greatest eye sight apparently and, being basically defenceless, are timid and fearful. David knew all about this. But do we believe it? [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. (1 Pet 5:1-4, Acts What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! That was a question that was once sent to me. God is like a shepherd to David. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. ), which the WEB has updated. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). 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. 'You are with me' the Psalmist says and that is all that he needs to know. Wisdom Literature