Please see Blue Letter Bible's Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. What humanity needs now is the restoration of hope and joy. But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? Johannine Writings On some days, she was on one side of the valley. 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. Oh! ii. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. (Kidner). Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! It is a Psalm of but 6 verses but countless sermons and entire books have been written on it. God wasnt just a shepherd to others in a theoretical sense, but He was Davids shepherd. There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. I had good medical care. This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. 'What happened exactly to me in the dream?' We may request cookies to be set on your device. Verses 1-6. 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). John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, president of The Master's University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. 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. The paths that the Shepherd takes us on are the righteous or 'right' paths. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. 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. Luke-Acts Luke-Acts I. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. For a shepherd, the healing purpose would be significant. Share. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. The Premiere One-Volume Commentary . Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. The word hesed also has a variety of meanings kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, or love. It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. You are mine. They probably are anxious about different things. 4 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006, Baker, Warren (ed. (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. Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. [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! Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. The Middle Eastern shepherds in Israel didn't drive their sheep their sheep followed them. These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. (Philip Keller). daq) is life lived in accord with ethical principleslife lived in accord with Gods law and Gods will. The instruments used by the shepherd comforted David. There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! We in turn should allow that light to shine forth towards others so that people may see our lives and praise God. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4a). Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. Psalm 107. [3], The LORD - The first thing to note is the source of David's comfort. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! 'You are with me' the Psalmist says and that is all that he needs to know. With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. Is - Can you say that? There you have it. Wisdom Literature ii. God's Testimony to the Scriptures. The Gospels Gods presence removed the fear in David and comforted him. There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point The New Testament And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. The word through is important. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. Articles Messages Books Podcasts Filter Resources By Ask Pastor John. I remember a woman who grieved every year on anniversary of the death of her infant child. PSALM 23:1-4. They know that it will be ok. ), which the WEB has updated. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. Luke-Acts Major Prophets He is a dove, not an eagle; the dew, not the hurricane.[3]. [6]. What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. People need to know this beautiful Psalm of David to reorient and renew their thinking. The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. You will have much more pressing concerns. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. Location. In that culture, people considered a persons name to be more than a simple label to identify that person. You prepare a table before me: Without departing from the previous picture of the valley of the shadow of death, David envisioned the provision and goodness given by the LORD as a host, inviting David to a rich table prepared for him. He is the shepherd that provides and His people will lack no good thing. However, the oil does not just protect the sheep from nuisance. David had it right in placing his trust in the one true God who controls all things. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. God refuses to let the godly go hungry. [13] And His goodness and kindness will always follow you. Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. Nor have I ever heard an audible voice that was clearly God's telling me which decisions to make. David found him so, and so have we. Founded in 1969, Grace to You is the nonprofit organization responsible for developing, producing, and distributing Johns books, audio resources, and the Grace to You radio and television programs. The MacArthur Bible Commentary treats every passage of the Old and New Testaments phrase by phrase, with hundreds of word studies and sidebars throughout. David's song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. The Old Testament To be invited to a persons table was an honor. My cup runs over. Was it where you thought you would go? The sheep may crack their skull just to ease the suffering to get rid of the brain-eating parasites. The Gospels It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. We are smart enough to do this in the physical. We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. 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. God is his shepherd and his Goda God all-sufficient to all intents and purposes. Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. [4]. God ultimately protects and provides for His flock and does everything in His power to care for them. Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! What He is leading, guiding and teaching us is firstly about the inward change to the circumstance even if outwardly things remain the same. Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. We might say that the shepherds presence did not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil. Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. He is. And obviously, he would then leave the lamb to die in the wilderness, eaten by its predators! I live in New Zealand, and yes, I know, we have more sheep than people! The idea that the LORD is a shepherd to His people is also prevalent throughout the Bible. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. David had extreme confidence in who God IS right now! 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. Minor Prophets 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. [9] These are the paths we should desire and actively seek. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. These instruments (or instrument) of guidance were a comfort to David. That seldom accomplishes His purposes and the rest of the Psalm show that these things do occur. can be seen as comforting for it is a sign that He loves us scripture says (Heb 12:6). The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Major Prophets 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. Not was, like He helped you in the past. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? And I used to always think 'Well! Sep 8, 1980. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. Minor Prophets Daily devotional with John Piper. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. But do we believe it? The image portrays that God has the power to feed and protect David. Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. Its also of paramount importance to recognize that the shepherd in this psalm connotes more than someone who merely herds the flock. The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. He is in control. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Historical Books And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. 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. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself. (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. Wisdom Literature Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. But we need to learn to lie down. You anoint my head with oil; 6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahwehs house forever. Email / username or password was incorrect! The light shines the brightest in the dark. and flame will not scorch you. 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. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. ), 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. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. To eat at the Kings table in the presence of your enemies would show your enemies that the king holds you in high regard, and would demonstrate their powerlessness to hurt you. Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. So to be Gods guest is to be more than an acquaintance, invited for a day. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. 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. Wisdom Literature The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed Sermon. 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. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. They are well placed, well laid: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. There is something about people who truly know their God. MON 10/20/2014. Pentateuch Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. Though the majority of the occurrences of hesed are translated steadfast love, there are undeniable elements of mercy and kindness that underlie each of these occurrences (Renn, 633-634). i. On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. He wants to genuinely bless His people and live in the abundance of His grace. 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. Please read and believe! They will not lie down when there is conflict among the sheep. King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. Yea, prosperity not only so intoxicates many, as to carry them . Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 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. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banished the fear of evil. In the end, in whatever it is that places you in fear or unease, you have to come back to this very thought we are speaking of here - 'The Lord is my shepherd' - He is in control of all things.