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! God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. Psalm 23 commentary is a holy piece of work that exudes different kinds of emotions. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Major Prophets The good man has his enemies. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. (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. There you have it. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter's angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. 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] . Jesus told the Samaritan woman, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water (John 4:10). Wisdom Literature In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). iii. Luke-Acts By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. The Whole Bible I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. God shines His light into our lives. Now mine was a recent silly example. It wasn't a nice dream at all '. Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. David wrote this while remembering his fearful experiences. 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. When I asked the oncologist how serious it was, he said, Stage threemaybe Stage three and a half. My chances of survival were less than 50-50. Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. (Philip Keller). He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. The paths that the Shepherd takes us on are the righteous or 'right' paths. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. Death is not the house but the porch, not the goal but the passage to it Many a saint has reaped more joy and knowledge when he came to die than he ever knew while he lived. 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. They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren. The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. 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! Notice how in times of trials, we become more aware of Gods presence. The book of Psalms is so unique because it focuses on the character of God. ii. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. Lord's Day Services. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! Click on the different category headings to find out more. The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. [3], The LORD - The first thing to note is the source of David's comfort. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. Nothing is outside of His control. The shepherd certainly did not remove the presence of evil but removed the fear of evil. Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Readers benefit from the coherence a single commentator provides, finding faithful, understandable, and . That is some revelation! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.. 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. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. He had a sidekick with him who spoke on 'I will build my church'. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. 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. They will not lie down when there is conflict among the sheep. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. To be invited to a persons table was an honor. And obviously, he would then leave the lamb to die in the wilderness, eaten by its predators! Luke-Acts He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. The idea is of a sturdy walking stick, used to gently (as much as possible) guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banished the fear of evil. Now I want to break this first verse up into each little section so that we can get a better grasp as to what David was saying. What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. Psalm 23 is a wonderful masterpiece of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths. God is like a shepherd to David. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. The MacArthur Study Bible: new King James version - John MacArthur. Psalm 22 speaks of the past; Psalm 23 speaks of the present; and Psalm 24 speaks of the future. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. He rammed it home so much that come lunch time we were saying 'I WILL eat my lunch', 'I will EAT my lunch.' Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. He would tend, protect and care for his sheep. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. Be assured! The rod of Jesse shall still be over me as the sovereign succor of my soul.[5]. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. John Piper Sep 1, 1980. 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. David had it right in placing his trust in the one true God who controls all things. John MacArthur (b. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. It is getting harder to live on this planet - from a health point of view, from a financial point of view, from a spiritual and moral point of view, from a fear and anxiety point of view - there is much that a person could be concerned about. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). They probably are anxious about different things. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. Do you? You can find a family who have brought up children to being young adults and have never owned a bed. Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Minor Prophets In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. Site by Mere. But there is a greater provision and far greater blessing still to come. That symmetric bracketing was a literary device intended to focus attention on the middle phrase, for you are with me. Gods saving presence is the focal point of this psalm. Nov. 10, 2012. ii. There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). However, Gods care for David doesnt remove the presence of his adversaries. This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. Shepherds use the rod and staff to guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place. 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. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. We must surrender our desires and follow where He leads no matter the cost. David found him so, and so have we. Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! It makes sense. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. He first spoke them for Israels sake, but he caused Isaiah to record them for our sake. It is for His name's sake and His glory that this is done! The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. Ethan Collins November 17, 2020, Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. type 23-6 in the address bar in place of 1-1 so that . ), 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. A sheep is an object of property, not a wild animal; its owner sets great store by it, and frequently it is bought with a great price. A lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. A magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host; who has not only the bounty to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security. (Clarke). A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. can be seen as comforting for it is a sign that He loves us scripture says (Heb 12:6). We might say that the shepherds presence did not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' And let's not forget they are prone to wander. Scripture: Psalm 23. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. What great confidence! We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. John Piper Sep 8, 1980 That was all it said. But the love for our Saviour is great, with us waiting patiently for a time all these woes will come to an end. He was refreshed by a head anointed with oil; his cup was over-filled. Title The entire collection of Psalms is entitled "Praises" in the Hebrew text. When we get tired we take a rest. Not was, like He helped you in the past. The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). [5], We need to remind ourselves of this all the time. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Use semicolons to separate groups: 'Gen;Jdg;Psa-Mal' or 'Rom 3-12;Mat 1:15;Mat 5:12-22', There are options set in 'Advanced Options', The Whole Bible 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. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. Share. 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. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. What is characteristic of them? John is also president and featured teacher with Grace to You. i. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. 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! This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. 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). He would not be like his Lord if he had not. John MacArthur, Pastor-Teacher. The other thing to note on this point is that the entire psalm is only valid for those who truly have Jesus as their shepherd. I need to know you are well.' The Hebrew word for rod (shaybet) here seems to simply mean a stick with a variety of applications. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. There is something about people who truly know their God. The New Testament e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). But, what makes it so compelling? 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. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. He had known feast. Another such honor would be an invitation for dinner at the White Housepreferably dinner with the President and a small group of his key people although a large state dinner would also be interesting. ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. Everyone loves this Psalm. With this verse, he begins to use the second person (you and your). i. Psalm 107. No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! The light shines the brightest in the dark. But he would then carry that lamb while its leg mended and apparently, once healed, that lamb would never wander off from the shepherd again. 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. That is what God desires to work into your life. 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. 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! David envisioned God as a benevolent host who prepared a grand banquet. (12) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. There was no fear involved. Other than the president and family, only a handful of people have been invited to make the White House their homeand then only for a few years. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD 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. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (v. 4c). They also keep a vigilant and watchful eye out for poisonous plants and wild animals. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. So though 3000 years old it is extremely relevant for our lives today! In terms of how it is loved, look at how one old theologian from the 1800's spoke of it. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. This is a great shame because it is not a psalm of death! Forever. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. 3,580+ | 2 min. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Title: The MacArthur Bible Commentary By: John MacArthur Format: Hardcover Number of Pages: 2040 Vendor: Thomas Nelson Publication Date: 2005 Dimensions: 9.75 X 6.75 X 2.75 (inches) Weight: 3 pounds 11 ounces ISBN: 0785250662 ISBN-13: 9780785250661 Stock No: WW250662 Related Products The Jesus You Can't Ignore: Study $7.49 $9.99 Save 25% He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. Cookie Notice: Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. Excellent for: personal and family devotions pastoral study preparing Sunday-school lessons using with a small group simply readingeach volume draws you in They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used. Your partnership makes all we do possible. Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible . He is utterly trustworthy. Report an Issue Sermon Correction/Question . Learn More | Livestream | Bulletin Servicios en espaol. We seek more of God and depend on Him further when we encounter problems. May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! Depression and other illnesses can enshroud us in darkness and threaten us with death. What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). Basically fear tactics. These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. We can imagine various meanings for the valley of the shadow of death.. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? He leads me beside still waters. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. The intimate portrayal of God as a shepherd is what makes Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. 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. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy [1] As I mentioned, this is one famous Psalm. [10] We have another source of confidence in our shepherd Jesus that even David didn't have when he wrote this psalm 3000 years ago. The New Testament Here the second allegory begins. He was aware of the potential dangers that may befall him. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. Johannine Writings Jesus took this name for Himself when He said 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!' How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? 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. The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. for his names sake (v. 3c). He guides us and leads us along the right and true paths. Text: Psalm 23 Ministry: Anchored. The anointed writer of Psalm 23 was King David. 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. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. People need comfort and encouragement. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. i. 1TheLordis my shepherd; I shall not want. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The instruments used by the shepherd comforted David. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. It is a bit difficult to ascertain the exact time Psalm 23 was written. Pastor John MacArthur. And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! i. If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. [1], It is not only I do not want, but I shall not want. Come what may, if famine should devastate the land, or calamity destroy the city, I shall not want. Old age with its feebleness shall not bring me any lack, and even death with its gloom shall not find me destitute. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. 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! The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. In Psalm 22 Christ is the Saviour; in Psalm 23 He is the Satisfier; in Psalm 24 He is the Sovereign. Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. In that culture, people considered a persons name to be more than a simple label to identify that person. But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. Thats why Psalm 23 is crucially relevant even today. Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point