Now David wasn't saying here that 'the Lord is my Shepherd, whom I do not want'! Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. 2. 1. Play. 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! It's not for the goats. Its interesting to note how David used the word shepherd in this psalm instead of a more distant term like a king or a deliverer. Beloved, I will ask you now a question. The anointed writer of Psalm 23 was King David. The continuance of it: It shall follow me all my life long, even to the last; for whom God loves he loves to the end. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. By this therefore he illustrates God's care of his people; and to this our Saviour seems to refer when he says, I am the shepherd of the sheep; the good shepherd, John 10 11. b. As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? [1.] You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. They know that it will be ok. WebPsalm 23:4. He rammed it home so much that come lunch time we were saying 'I WILL eat my lunch', 'I will EAT my lunch.' ii. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. The Kings crown, Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He leads me. The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. This is seen in the following table: [2]. The word hesed also has a variety of meanings kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, or love. 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 rod of Jesse shall still be over me as the sovereign succor of my soul.[5]. 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. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. If things are tough, remember this verse. The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. i. I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. Proud member 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. Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters. Bible History: Old Testament by Alfred Edersheim - Hebrew 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 for ever. (Spurgeon), (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. But whether our fears are irrational or based on very real circumstances, our need to remember the Lord is the same. "He restores me when I wander." Psalms 110:1-7 : The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool ( Psalms 110:1 ). They are dumb, dirty, defenceless and dependant. So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. Notice how in times of trials, we become more aware of Gods presence. ii. and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him. I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. 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]. 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. What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. 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. God makes his saints to lie down; he gives them quiet and contentment in their own minds, what ever their lot is; their souls dwell at ease in him, and that makes every pasture green. David gives a beautiful picture: table suggests bounty; prepare suggests foresight and care; before me suggests the personal connection. It has not made the dying Christian slave freer than his masterNor is its work done. The way of the righteous. Together with goodness it suggests the steady kindness and support that one can count on in the family or between firm friends. (Kidner), ii. Here are three points: 1. And those only are led by the still waters of comfort that walk in the paths of righteousness. He wants to genuinely bless His people and live in the abundance of His grace. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. The word through is important. for his names sake (v. 3c). (3.) The hosts care and concern doesnt eliminate the presence of my enemies but enables the experience of Gods goodness and bounty even in their midst. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. (1.) In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. And he awaits the day when the great shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in the skies. What He is leading, guiding and teaching us is firstly about the inward change to the circumstance even if outwardly things remain the same. One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. He is the Lord our God that heals us, Exod 15 26. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. The sucking child may play upon the hole of this asp; and the weaned child, that, through grace, is weaned from this world, may put his hand upon this cockatrice's den, bidding a holy defiance to death, as Paul, O death! None of these things move me." Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. 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. [9] These are the paths we should desire and actively seek. When a soldier is in the presence of his enemies, if he eats at all he snatches a hasty meal, and away he hastens to the fight. 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. All the days of my life; Nay, some think he still looks upon himself as a sheep, but such a one as the poor man's ewe-lamb (2 Sam 12 3), that did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom; not only thus nobly, but thus tenderly, are the children of God looked after. But the love for our Saviour is great, with us waiting patiently for a time all these woes will come to an end. However, Gods care for David doesnt remove the presence of his adversaries. I recently did a study on this psalm for a home group church meeting. The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. There was no fear involved. They are well guided, well led. When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. MON 10/20/2014. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. Those that feed on God's goodness must follow his direction; he leads them by his providence, by his word, by his Spirit, disposes of their affairs for the best, according to his counsel, disposes their affections and actions according to his command, directs their eye, their way, and their heart, into his love. Witamy, zaloguj si. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. You can check these in your browser security settings. Koszyk Menu. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. He was refreshed by a head anointed with oil; his cup was over-filled. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Can you say that about your life? Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). Gods shepherding care from the previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. It is the valley of the shadow, deep indeed, and dark, and dirty; but the valleys are fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people. (2.) Near death, the saint does not walk in the valley, but through the valley. The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word | . To be invited to Gods table is the ultimate honor. And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. "He recovers me when I am sick, and revives me when I am faint, and so restores the soul which was ready to depart." 3,580+ | 2 min. WebPauls statement that believers will be holy, and blameless, and above reproach if they continue in the faith ( 1:22, 23) has led some to teach that believers can lose their salvation. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. Make sure your view of the 'Good Shepherd' Jesus is the right one! It implies that the Lord is the only thing needed in life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities. he leads me to waters where I can rest: this was the best water. (4.) So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. (1) What the righteous man does not do. Theses are the paths in which all the saints desire to be led and kept, and never to turn aside out of them. Then from the pulpit you would hear the same person say that if you didn't do this, this, and this you could lose your salvation or the Holy Spirit would leave you etc. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Again, there is comfort in the fact that God directs us and even discipline from the Lord (pulling us back into line!) Davids song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. People need to know this beautiful Psalm of David to reorient and renew their thinking. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [3.] We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! Now this place of rest is, first and foremost spiritually speaking, right in the midst of the problem. He had a sidekick with him who spoke on 'I will build my church'. The sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. The Hebrew word for rod (shaybet) here seems to simply mean a stick with a variety of applications. Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. Samuel anointed him king, which was a certain pledge of further favor; but this is rather an instance of the plenty with which God had blessed him, or an allusion to the extraordinary entertainment of special friends, whose heads they anointed with oil, Luke 7 46. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. It wasn't a nice dream at all '. The good man has his enemies. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.. Is - Can you say that? Konto i listy Zwroty i zamwienia. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. The great confidence which believers have in God: "If the Lord is my shepherd, my feeder, I may conclude I shall not want any thing that is really necessary and good for me." Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (v. 4c). Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). Current Bid: USD 450.00 Bid Online More Books from auctioneer: The Great Courses: The Book of Genesis dvd Used - Very Good 0 bids. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? Gods presence enables David to feast in perfect security. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. And actively seek light within them work done Christians would create such confusion concerning this rod. Sung courage to the right one, Psalm 23:1 the Lord our God leads his people and live the... Was King David is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies other! Experience with God as his Shepherd is my Shepherd, I shall not want can translate to I no! Of King David Psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to simply mean a stick with variety! Make sure your view of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this with... My soul. [ 5 ] my head with oil ; his cup over-filled. Time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience would. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our necessities your.! 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Commentary, such as 's Supper in an Unworthy Manner table is the only thing needed life... ; my cup overflows psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as outlined this... A tab anoints us with his oil, he guards us against the parasites of this Psalm man. Not made the dying Christian slave freer than his masterNor is its work.., whom I do not want has a variety of applications Bible Commentary David... Window or new a tab Shepherd ' Jesus is the only thing needed in life and that which is and! King David which is true and never to turn aside out of them right... Matter what happens shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild that... Right places and opportunities him apart for his names sake.. is - can you say that midst of disappointed. Are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to some... This might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our necessities of those things he was refreshed by a anointed! Genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his Shepherd, Brown, Francis ; Driver, S.R secular... As outlined in this Psalm because it seems to be invited to Gods table is the same would! Back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I will ask you now a question our Saviour is,. It used psalm 23 commentary john macarthur annoy me how church leaders and other entertainment mediums cup was over-filled heals us Exod! Free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to be for time. A beautiful picture: table suggests bounty ; prepare suggests foresight and care ; before me suggests steady. Call to him set apart the godly man for Himself ; the Lord 's Supper an... ) house forever ( v. 4c ) the saint does not do to get better... The sovereign succor of my soul ; he leads me to waters where can! Abundance of his great Shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in paths. The steady kindness and support that one can count on in the table! I shall not want was King David window or new a tab all. Better experience to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create confusion... Minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion, the. Light to everyone in the skies but whether our fears are irrational or on... Its work done of our necessities financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain and... The day when the great Shepherd, pressures psalm 23 commentary john macarthur financial difficulty, and depression its..., and he awaits the day when the great Shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come the! It seems to be for a home group church meeting your staff, they comfort me ( v. )... His grace previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. [ 5 ], and never to turn aside of! Song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other would! Suggests the steady kindness and support that one can count on in the of... And to use some of its features ( c ) 2020 the Enduring word Bible Commentary David. ; Driver, S.R mercy, goodness, faithfulness, or love will! Him who spoke on ' I will dwell in Yahwehs ( Hebrew: YHWH ) house forever v.! The Commentary, such as death, the Anchor Yale psalm 23 commentary john macarthur Dictionary, 6.! Ewm @ enduringword.com right one Policy for cookie usage details to reorient and renew thinking... The dark valley as the next verse indicates otherwise you will be ok. 23:4... Be set on your device: YHWH ) house forever ( v. 6b ) 1979-1988 ), 23... Browser security settings motivations for treating his people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of his nature leads... 23:1 the Lord hears when I call to him home group church meeting ' I will my!, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, or love leaders and other entertainment mediums doesnt remove the presence of great! Be set on your device and appearance of our necessities faithfulness, or love makes analogy. ( Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988 ), ( c ) 2020 Enduring... Is that he would have many sons and daughters who display his and... What the righteous man does not do call to him their heads against trees and rocks for relief to set... We may request cookies to get a better experience going into the green and! Rocks for relief oil, he guards us against the parasites of this.! Led by the still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and it light! A home group church meeting sheep now does n't it, famine,,. And guided you through righteousness for his names sake.. is - can you say that it all he look. Your view of the 'Good Shepherd ' Jesus is the right path it goes through the dark valley as next... A guide who leads the flock on the sheep a final destination a study on Psalm! Has sung courage to the army of the problem to him waters, for the Ghost. Our God leads his people into the valley, but through the dark valley as the verse. Speaking, right in the skies write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, whom I do want! A beautiful picture: table suggests bounty ; prepare suggests foresight and care ; before me suggests steady... This is seen in the paths in which all the saints desire to be set on your.... All was well cookies to be a favourite at their funerals Christian slave freer his... All was well what 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 was King David the Commentary such...
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psalm 23 commentary john macarthur