Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible It has comforted the noble host of the poor. Under Johns leadership, Grace Community Church's two morning worship services fill the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity. They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren. When flies or parasites annoy them, its hard for them to be at rest. He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. 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. 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. It offers a broad overview of each Bible book and the internal consistency that results from having a single commentator. Verses 1-6. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. 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! The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. Not many people receive such an invitation, and even fewer receive more than one. ii. 27:1). Be assured! You can check these in your browser security settings. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. Bible Introductions - Hebrews by John MacArthur - Blue Letter Bible Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? He had a sidekick with him who spoke on 'I will build my church'. ), 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. 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?' Surely goodness (Hebrew: tob) and loving kindness (Hebrew: hesed) shall follow me all the days of my life (v. 6a). Psalm 40 - The Pit and the Pierced Ear in the Paths of God, Psalm 41: The pattern of betrayal - Past, present and future (P1), Psalm 55: The pattern of betrayal: Past, present and future (P2), Psalm 69 - The restoration and the zeal of the Lord, Psalm 102 - Change and the Unchangeable One, Psalm 110: Jesus the Messiah - Our Lord and King, Psalm 110: Jesus our priest in the order of Melchizedek. In the United States, a signal honor would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the White House. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. 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. [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. But mostly, they were comforting because they were in the hands of a caring shepherd. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point It wasn't a nice dream at all '. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point . God ultimately protects and provides for His flock and does everything in His power to care for them. So I started checking myself - heart was still pumping, ears were attached, nose still worked, yes, everything seemed to be in order. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. Johannine Writings The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. The good man has his enemies. But the shepherds here use dogs and fences to drive and control the sheep. Prophets Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. John MacArthur brings you a complete Bible commentary in one volume. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. To be invited to Gods table is the ultimate honor. 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. Do you? And I used to always think 'Well! See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! General Epistles Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. 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. He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. Historical Books Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. 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. Everything will be ok. (1.) 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. Major Prophets General Epistles You are not your own but were bought with a price! The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! Prophets Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; The Analogy of God and the Shepherd in Psalm 23, The Lord As A Shepherd Who Provides (Verse 1), The Lord As A Shepherd Who Guides (Verses 2-3), The Protection And Comfort From Gods Presence (Verse 4), The Blessings of God Amidst Danger (Verse 5), Faith-Filled Content Delivered To Your Inbox, Best NASB Study Bibles Ranked & Reviewed, The Best Bible for Young Adults: Buyers Guide. 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. 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.. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. Was it where you thought you would go? He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). David found him so, and so have we. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). '. 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 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. 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. There is no fear of biting the bare ground where the grass is long enough for the flock to lie down in it. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. 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]. His past death for His people The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. Pauline Epistles Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Like the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, David might say that all of life is lived under the shadow of death, and it is the conscious presence of the LORD as shepherd that makes it bearable. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). David's song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. But we need to learn to lie down. Is it Messianic? (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. iv. That is some revelation! Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. Please see Blue Letter Bible's Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Everyone loves this Psalm. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 23 Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Major Prophets 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. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. type 23-6 in the address bar in place of 1-1 so that . His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow. [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. i. 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. Together with goodness it suggests the steady kindness and support that one can count on in the family or between firm friends. (Kidner), ii. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. for his names sake (v. 3c). Psalm 23 is a song of gratitude that tells Davids relationship with God as his shepherd. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. I'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. Believe with the same confidence David had. We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! Receive uplifting scriptures, inspiring articles & helpful guides to encourage your faith. (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. The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. John MacArthur. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. We can imagine various meanings for the valley of the shadow of death.. The intimate portrayal of God as a shepherd is what makes Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable. It becomes more personal in this valley! The Saviours Cross. 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). The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. Nor have I ever heard an audible voice that was clearly God's telling me which decisions to make. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. 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 rest of the Psalm exhibits the shepherding care of God that is essential to life. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. John is also president and featured teacher with Grace to You. God as our shepherd not only leads but restores as well. Notice how in times of trials, we become more aware of Gods presence. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! Psalms 23 - The Pulpit Commentaries - StudyLight.org The instruments used by the shepherd comforted David. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. - 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). Pauline Epistles David reflected on God's many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future. One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. 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. Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. 1.Jehovah is my shepherd. These instruments (or instrument) of guidance were a comfort to David. Grace Community Church 13248 Roscoe Blvd. The wonder of wonders is that through the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives we can actually go through these times without fear! 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). The image portrays that God has the power to feed and protect David. He had known feast. But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. He rammed it home so much that come lunch time we were saying 'I WILL eat my lunch', 'I will EAT my lunch.' Solid Joys. The Old Testament Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. iii. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. God is. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven .' 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. What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? Please visit: https://www.bestbiblecommentaries.comPlease visit: www.bestbiblecommentaries.comBrowse John MacArthur's bible commentaries on Amazon:https://am. On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. Commentaries; Sermons. Why is Psalm 23 one of the most well-known Psalms and the favorite biblical passage of many? Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. He who turns the ebb into the flood can soon restore our soul. Psalms 23. If you are truly one of His sheep (evidenced by hearing his voice and following His ways) then this verse is your verse as well! It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. We are smart enough to do this in the physical. But do we believe it? To be invited to a persons table was an honor. So though 3000 years old it is extremely relevant for our lives today! He was the son of Jesse and a direct descendant of Abraham. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. 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. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. Prophets In Psalm 22 Christ is the Saviour; in Psalm 23 He is the Satisfier; in Psalm 24 He is the Sovereign. and flame will not scorch you. In terms of how it is loved, look at how one old theologian from the 1800's spoke of it. Play. But it is still the path that leads to righteousness. The word PSALM literally means praise and it features works of various characters the majority of which were written by David. David knew all about this. My cup runs over. 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. ii. Email / username or password was incorrect! Historical Books Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). a. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. 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. The enemy was strongly entrenched there, and was determined to stay. i. 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). Our children were still quite young. 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). Sermon. Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John F. MacArthur - Google Play Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It was never used on the sheep. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point 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! He lived in the confident hope that it would continue for the rest of his life. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. Psalm 23 Bible Study - Jesus our Great Shepherd! - Jesus Plus Nothing How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. I remember a woman who grieved every year on anniversary of the death of her infant child. Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. i. Can you say that about your life? Luke-Acts David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. Is it a terrible thing that even though God is sovereign and controls the entire universe, we don't want to let go of the reigns! Cookie Notice: (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. In the Old Testament world, to eat and drink at someones table created a bond of mutual loyalty, and could be the culminated token of a covenant. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. The Gospels 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. 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. Poetical Books Instead of speaking about his Shepherd, David speaks to Him. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. 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.