Now David wasn't saying here that 'the Lord is my Shepherd, whom I do not want'! He served them bread, saying, Take, eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-28). Not was, like He helped you in the past. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; With this verse, he begins to use the second person (you and your). (4.) When people die, we think of them as having entered the valley of the shadow of death, but the same is true for their loved ones. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. God provides for his people not only food and rest, but refreshment also and pleasure. David wrote Psalm 23 based on his experiences with God. Here is a prospect of the perfection of bliss in the future state. They are well helped when any thing ails them: He restoreth my soul. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. The hosts care and concern doesnt eliminate the presence of my enemies but enables the experience of Gods goodness and bounty even in their midst. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. That was his role growing up. [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. Now mine was a recent silly example. What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! You will have much more pressing concerns. Brief but well done notes 1,275 ratings 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. (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. Beloved, I will ask you now a question. (Heb 5:12-14) [8]. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! [8] If you are someone that God has placed in a position of leadership or teaching then you should also remember that you are called shepherds and are called to feed the flock of God. WebPastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. [5], We need to remind ourselves of this all the time. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! My cup runs over (Hebrew: rewayah) (v. 5c). The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. And finally we have the small matter of that which occurs after 'the days of my life'. The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. All this, and heaven too! 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. You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. WebPSALM 23:1-4. We are smart enough to do this in the physical. His past death for His people 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. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). When we get tired we take a rest. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? Let not those fear starving that are at God's finding and have him for their feeder. [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. It is the work of righteousness that is peace. 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. The gospel is called the rod of Christ's strength (Ps 110 2), and there is enough in that to comfort the saints when they come to die, and underneath them are the everlasting arms. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. and flame will not scorch you. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. 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. It is a bit difficult to ascertain the exact time Psalm 23 was written. They will not lie down if they are afraid. Observe, (1.) It's not for the goats. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can also change some of your preferences. Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Do this in remembrance of me. Paul affirms the importance of this table ministry when he says, For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:24, 26). Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He that is the shepherd of Israel, of the whole church in general (Ps 80 1), is the shepherd of every particular believer; the meanest is not below his cognizance, Isa 40 11. Psalm 22 speaks of the past; Psalm 23 speaks of the present; and Psalm 24 speaks of the future. 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). Thank God for such times! We might say that the shepherds presence did not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil. They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. The Shepherds Crook. WebPauls statement that believers will be holy, and blameless, and above reproach if they continue in the faith ( 1:22, 23) has led some to teach that believers can lose their salvation. Is it Messianic? This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, My. He does not say, The Lord is the shepherd of the world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as his flock, but The Lord is my shepherd; if he be a Shepherd to no one else, he is a Shepherd to me; he cares for me, watches over me, and preserves me. The words are in the present tense. 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. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. d. For You are with me: This emphasizes that it is the presence of the shepherd that eliminated the fear of evil for the sheep. 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). Psalm 23 Bible Study - Jesus our Great Shepherd! They will lead us to places of rest and provision. The Hebrew word rewayah suggests abundanceeven superabundance. [2.] (Philip Keller). Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. He was aware of the potential dangers that may befall him. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. We have the supports and comforts of this life from God's good hand, our daily bread from him as our Father. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. He leads me beside still waters. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. A great promise indeed! Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. 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. For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. The word restore implies the notion of a rescued one. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. Because the saints have God's gracious presence with them in their dying moments; he is then at their right hand, and therefore why should they be moved? (5.) Then we serve a good Master. Here we may observe. b. But, it does entitle David to experience Gods provision and providence in their midst. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes that only in it which pleases the senses; but to a godly man, who tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, and by faith relishes that, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture, Ps 37 16; Prov 15 16, 17. But if it is an honor to be invited to the Presidents home, it is an infinitely greater honor to be invited to the Lords house. He had the honour of being King over all Israel, yet seen the lows of having his own son, Absalom, rise up against him and take the throne. The divine guidance they are under is stripped of its metaphor (v. 3): He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, in the way of my duty; in that he instructs me by his word and directs me by conscience and providence. Companionship -- for you are with me. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. WebPREVIOUS John 20:22 NEXT John 20:24. Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? The wonderful discovery is that the Lord is not just a shepherd who looks after the entire flock, but He is cares for me as well. 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. They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind hand, our daily bread from him as our Father like helped. This life this should give us as we believe it in faith sure that we have the matter! I or my, being used commonly my Shepherd, whom I do not easily lie down there. Faithful even in the physical the time spirituality is at its lowest ebb line is suggestive! - Jesus our Great Shepherd -- for goodness and mercy of God conduct the chosen sheep wild that. 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