There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). She is a lady that is unfortunately into the New Age and has spirit guides etc She doesn't agree with what I believe nor do I agree with her beliefs. 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. The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. His presence shall comfort them: Thou art with me. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. [5], We need to remind ourselves of this all the time. Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. It's not for the goats. WebThe apostle John clearly presented the events recorded in his book as future resolutions to the problems which began as a result of the curse in Gen. 3. Believe with the same confidence David had. See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. If Providence do not bestow upon us thus plentifully for our natural life, it is our own fault if it be not made up to us in spiritual blessings. You prepare a table (Hebrew: sulhan) before me in the presence of my enemies (v. 5a). From God's being his shepherd he infers that he shall not want anything that is good for him, v. 1. In the United States, a signal honor would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the White House. 'Is something bad going to happen to me?' One of the Psalms quoted in all four Gospels is Psalm 118:26(a), which says, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! (Matthew 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; John 12:13). 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. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow. Sure enough, someone guessed pretty quickly that it would be Psalm 23. 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 is the source of life and a great provider. My cup runs over. He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! 1.Jehovah is my shepherd. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. I started off by saying that I wanted to have a look at what is probably the most popular chapter in the entire Old Testament. It is a walk through it; they shall not be lost in this valley, but get safely to the mountain of spices on the other side of it. 'Do I need to be extra careful?' The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. ii. He experiences the benefit of God's presence with him and care of him now, and therefore expects the benefit of them when he most needs it. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. From three very comfortable premises David, in this psalm, draws three very comfortable conclusions, and teaches us to do so too. It is expressed in this verse - Rom He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. Not many people receive such an invitation, and even fewer receive more than one. i. WebThou hast relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. The shepherd certainly did not remove the presence of evil but removed the fear of evil. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. Ouch. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. I recently did a study on this psalm for a home group church meeting. 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! In this he had certainly an eye, not only to the blessings of God's providence, which made his outward condition prosperous, but to the communications of God's grace, received by a lively faith, and returned in a warm devotion, which filled his soul with joy unspeakable. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. WebView all of our resources on the biblical book of Psalms. 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. It is comprehensive in scope, reliable in scholarship, and easy to use. This is seen in the following table: [2]. God refuses to let the godly go hungry. The Third Commandment says, You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name (Exodus 20:7). Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. Why is Psalm 23 one of the most well-known Psalms and the favorite biblical passage of many? The instruments used by the shepherd comforted David. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. He would tend, protect and care for his sheep. What Are the Psalms? 'My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. It's not somewhere that you set up camp thinking that is all you will ever know. 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. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. 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]. Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of theLordforever. Are any of us low in grace? I will fear no evil. Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. (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. Please read and believe! That he was not stinted, was not straitened, but had abundance: "My cup runs over, enough for myself and my friends too." (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). The LORD is Current Bid: USD 450.00 Bid Online More Books from auctioneer: The Great Courses: The Book of Genesis dvd Used - Very Good 0 bids. But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. [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! Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. Salem Media Group. Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. See here. Gods presence enables David to feast in perfect security. This is a Psalm of David and David was a shepherd. What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. i. This unspeakably delightful verse has been sung on many a dying bed, and has helped to make the dark valley bright times out of mind. In terms of how it is loved, look at how one old theologian from the 1800's spoke of it. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death Through a dark and dismal valley, full of terrors and dangers, as this phrase signifies, Job 24:17; Psalm The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. I live in New Zealand, and yes, I know, we have more sheep than people! He doesn't stop, and he doesn't give up hope. You will have much more pressing concerns. More is implied than is expressed, not only, I shall not want, but, "I shall be supplied with whatever I need; and, if I have not every thing I desire, I may conclude it is either not fit for me or not good for me or I shall have it in due time.". 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. He had known feast. Webby John Calvin: Commentaries on Psalms by many authors : Commentaries on various Psalms: Read & listen to many hymns linked to specific Psalms: EasyEnglish Bible Commentary on Psalms: Explaining the Psalms to children & those new to English : Overview of Psalm 23 : Psalm 51 in-depth study : In-depth studies in the Book of Psalms 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. He is a great shepherd. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. (2.) The book of Psalms is so unique because it focuses on the character of God. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. The idea that the LORD is a shepherd to His people is also prevalent throughout the Bible. A lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. When I was serving in Vietnam as a chaplain, I visited soldiers in the A Shau Valley near Laos. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. 5 Things You Should Know about the ESV Bible Translation. Here is one word indeed which sounds terrible; it is death, which we must all count upon; there is no discharge in that war. He is a dove, not an eagle; the dew, not the hurricane.[3]. But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! Companionship -- for you are with me. Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. That name therefore shall still be my strong tower, and shall assure me that he who has led me, and fed me, all my life long, will not leave me at last." And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. 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. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. They are well helped when any thing ails them: He restoreth my soul. 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). 'What happened exactly to me in the dream?' [13] And His goodness and kindness will always follow you. 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. Bible History: Old Testament by Alfred Edersheim - Hebrew Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. 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. We must dwell in his house as servants, that desired to have their ears bored to the door-post, to serve him for ever. he leads me to waters where I can rest: this was the best water. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. (3.) 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). God's ordinances are the green pastures in which food is provided for all believers; the word of life is the nourishment of the new man. Are we blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances? So he calls The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. can be seen as comforting for it is a sign that He loves us scripture says (Heb 12:6). What he promises himselfgoodness and mercy, all the streams of mercy flowing from the fountain, pardoning mercy, protecting mercy, sustaining mercy, supplying mercy. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. And, then, it is not the valley of death, but the valley of the shadow of death, for death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. It wasn't a nice dream at all '. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself. Thats why Psalm 23 is crucially relevant even today. Imminent danger supposed: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, that is, though I am in peril of death, though in the midst of dangers, deep as a valley, dark as a shadow, and dreadful as death itself," or rather, "though I am under the arrests of death, have received the sentence of death within myself, and have all the reason in the world to look upon myself as a dying man, yet I am easy." God leads his people, not to the standing waters which corrupt and gather filth, not to the troubled sea, nor to the rapid rolling floods, but to the silent purling waters; for the still but running waters agree best with those spirits that flow out towards God and yet do it silently. They probably are anxious about different things. 23 is crucially relevant even today to funerals v. 4b ) ), Freedman, David expresses his about. 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