On some days, she was on one side of the valley. His past death for His people Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. Pentateuch He is. Can you say that about your life? The sheep may crack their skull just to ease the suffering to get rid of the brain-eating parasites. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. As someone who worked as a shepherd before, David knew that shepherds live with their flock and are everything to it: guide, protector, and source of provision. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Major Prophets So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. Please see Blue Letter Bible's Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). Minor Prophets The shepherds guidance not only comforted and restored David but also led His sheep to righteousness. And I will dwell in the house of the LORDforever: The psalm ends with the calmest assurance that he would enjoy the presence of the LORD forever both in his days on this earth and beyond. i. 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. He leads me beside still waters. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Psalm 2 Bible Study The Current Rebellion & The Coming King, Psalm 8 Bible Study The wonder of God and the second man, Psalm 16 Part 1: Testing's in the journey through life and death, Psalm 16 Part 2 - Hope in the journey through life and death, Psalm 22 Part 1 - Prophecy of the crucifixion and the wrath of man. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. He is that interested in each of His sheep! ), 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. It has not made the dying Christian slave freer than his masterNor is its work done. 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! Title The entire collection of Psalms is entitled "Praises" in the Hebrew text. Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Luke-Acts 27:1). Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. That seldom accomplishes His purposes and the rest of the Psalm show that these things do occur. They will not lie down if they are afraid. However, he was confident that God is with him all the time. Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters. Included in the "better" provisions are: a better hope . Psalm 23 Many of David's psalms are full of complaints, but this is full of comforts, and the expressions of delight in God's great goodness and dependence upon him. Interactive Bible study with John Piper. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. Why is Psalm 23 one of the most well-known Psalms and the favorite biblical passage of many? The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Click on the different category headings to find out more. It may portray the straying sheep brought back. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. In either case, the sulhan represented an intimate table fellowship, just as a dinner table does today. [10]. the peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances! The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. i. The comforts of a living saint. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. That was a question that was once sent to me. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). ), The Complete WordStudy Old Testament (Chattanooga; AMG Publishers, 1994), Baker, Warren and Carpenter, Eugene, The Complete WordStudy Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003), Bromiley, Geoffrey (General Editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, 4 vols. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. 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]. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. He will not, and cannot forsake you if you are one of His sheep! The center point of this psalm is for you are with me. In the original Hebrew language, there are 26 words before this phrase, and 26 afterwards (Limburg, 74). The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. Make sure your view of the 'Good Shepherd' Jesus is the right one! Are any of us low in grace? In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. So our great Shepherd protects and provides for His sheep during their life on this earth. The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. ), which the WEB has updated. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Depression and other illnesses can enshroud us in darkness and threaten us with death. Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. The overflowing cup symbolizes the Lords generosity. Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. Historical Books Is - Can you say that? It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. He leads me. The MacArthur Bible Commentary treats every passage of the Old and New Testaments phrase by phrase, with hundreds of word studies and sidebars throughout. Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. Pauline Epistles The anointed writer of Psalm 23 was King David. type 23-6 in the address bar in place of 1-1 so that . Lord's Day Services. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching grief's, of orphans in their loneliness. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. Gods presence enables David to feast in perfect security. But, it does entitle David to experience Gods provision and providence in their midst. This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. Arno C Gaebelin said (with some small modifications): A good way to read this Psalm is by asking the question, 'What shall I not want?' 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 _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him His present care and provision for His people God is holy, and takes his holy name seriously: Since God is holy, we as Gods people need to insure that we do not tarnish his name by our wrongful words or actions. i. a. 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. There was no fear involved. MON 10/20/2014. It implies that the Lord is the only thing needed in life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities. Ethan Collins November 17, 2020, Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. Sep 8, 1980. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? 6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahwehs house forever. God ultimately protects and provides for His flock and does everything in His power to care for them. The Old Testament God was the one providing for him, God was the one anointing his head with oil (which was what gracious hosts did for their guests in Israel) so he knew that he would have more than enough! There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). You may be in a dark place but you must keep walking. 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). Psalm 23 commentary is a holy piece of work that exudes different kinds of emotions. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. What He is leading, guiding and teaching us is firstly about the inward change to the circumstance even if outwardly things remain the same. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, Scripture: Psalm 23. [3], The LORD - The first thing to note is the source of David's comfort. To call God a shepherd is to acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and submit to His will. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ), The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4a). That is some revelation! This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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). The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. God shines His light into our lives. It wasn't a nice dream at all '. Luke-Acts Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow. 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). When flies or parasites annoy them, its hard for them to be at rest. One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. A number of our soldiers died there. The New Testament Topical Series; DVD Series; Bible Series; Flash Drives; Bundles . Prophets 4 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006, Baker, Warren (ed. "It [ Psalm 23] has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. 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. Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. 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. In Psalm 23, God has answered this prayer God has led him in paths of righteousness. 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. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, Forever. They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. '. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death.