Companionship -- for you are with me. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. 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.. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Basically fear tactics. He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' Under Johns leadership, Grace Community Church's two morning worship services fill the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity. His past death for His people Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point He leads me. 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. Why the double standard of confusing messages? Depression and other illnesses can enshroud us in darkness and threaten us with death. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. The Shepherd's staff: The staff was used by the Shepherd to direct the sheep in the way in which they should go, and, in the case of a wandering nosey sheep, to pull it back into line [11] . It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. i. General Epistles The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. Make sure your view of the 'Good Shepherd' Jesus is the right one! We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. Minor Prophets 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. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. David found him so, and so have we. It wasn't a nice dream at all '. 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. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! ISBN 10: 0785250662 ISBN 13: . God is like a shepherd to David. God longs to bless and prosper His people. 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. The word restore implies the notion of a rescued one. It was never used on the sheep. We are so invited and not just occasionally but foreverthe honor that exceeds all other honors. David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. General Epistles Anderson, A.A., The New Century Bible Commentary: Psalms 1-72 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972), Broyles, Craig C., New International Biblical Commentary: Psalms (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999, Brueggemann, Walter, The Message of the Psalms A Theological Commentary (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1984), Clifford, Richard J., Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), Craigie, Peter C., Word Biblical Commentary, Psalms 1-50, Vol. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. Ethan Collins November 17, 2020, Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. You prepare a table before me: Without departing from the previous picture of the valley of the shadow of death, David envisioned the provision and goodness given by the LORD as a host, inviting David to a rich table prepared for him. That seldom accomplishes His purposes and the rest of the Psalm show that these things do occur. Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). [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! The green pastures and waters spoken of in this verse were often some distance apart and the shepherd would have to lead his flock to these places. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. 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! Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. 4 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006, Baker, Warren (ed. Wisdom Literature They probably are anxious about different things. If we were without enemies, we might fear that we were not the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity to GodThou preparest a table 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. ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. Nov. 10, 2012. 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. Now mine was a recent silly example. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. Believe with the same confidence David had. (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. Grace Community Church 13248 Roscoe Blvd. No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! When the psalmist says that God has anointed his head with oil, he means that God has marked him as specialhas set him apart for a significant role. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. Later, rabbis often designated it "The Book of Praises." . Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. 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. See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. Everything will be ok. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.. It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. [6]. That is some revelation! To call God a shepherd is to acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and submit to His will. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. 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. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. 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. 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. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. Date: 1/31/2021. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. It makes sense. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. But despite this I got on with her pretty well. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). Psalm 23 Bible Study - Jesus our Great Shepherd! Abraham's Bosom, Paradise, and Heaven 1. And obviously, he would then leave the lamb to die in the wilderness, eaten by its predators! John MacArthur (b. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. I have a lady at my work who, after saying something that she felt may tempt fate, said 'touch wood'. God shines His light into our lives. 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. That was his role growing up. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the author's heart and trust in God. The idea is of a sturdy walking stick, used to gently (as much as possible) guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. 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. Psalms 23. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. It will go singing to your children and my children, and to their children, through all the generations of time; nor will it fold its wings till the last pilgrim is safe, and time ended; and then it shall fly back to the bosom of God, whence it issued, and sound on, mingled with all those sounds of celestial joy which make heaven musical for ever. 3 He restores my soul. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? My cup runs over. Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. To experience the care and guidance of God as a shepherd, we must identify ourselves as His sheep. Luke-Acts His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. And we know the Jesus Himself took upon this title of 'the good Shepherd'. The first time through the dark valley is always scary. Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. But we need to learn to lie down. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of theLordforever. The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. There is no fear of biting the bare ground where the grass is long enough for the flock to lie down in it. There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. 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). Behold just such a one! Near death, the saint still calmly walks he does not need to quicken his pace in alarm or panic. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4a). Wow! Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? Ok, I'm being naughty. Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . 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). When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. God ultimately protects and provides for His flock and does everything in His power to care for them. Our children were still quite young. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. He is a great shepherd. Nor have I ever heard an audible voice that was clearly God's telling me which decisions to make. He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. [6] As a silly example, a few weeks back I got an email from a past work colleague that I hadn't heard from for some time. They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. We seek more of God and depend on Him further when we encounter problems. 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. The MacArthur Study Bible: new King James version - John MacArthur. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. i. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway 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. The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. i. You are mine. As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? type 23-6 in the address bar in place of 1-1 so that . These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. Gods presence removed the fear in David and comforted him. Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. I recently did a study on this psalm for a home group church meeting. 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). So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. The New Testament Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Philip Keller). This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. There is some debate among commentators as to whether David had the idea of two separate instruments (the rod and the staff) or one instrument used two ways. If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. Topical Series; DVD Series; Bible Series; Flash Drives; Bundles . He is the source of life and a great provider. Luke-Acts Jesus honored his disciples by inviting them to a table where he served them bread, saying, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:15-16). The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. Major Prophets Entdecke The Macarthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur (2005, Hardcover) in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan.
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