The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. 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. (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. He is the Lord our God that heals us, Exod 15 26. God is the one who looks after our lives. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). God is like a shepherd to David. 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. 3. 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. WebJohn Fullerton MacArthur Jr. (born June 19, 1939) is an American Protestant pastor and author known for his internationally syndicated Christian teaching radio and television program Grace to You. People need comfort and encouragement. But it is still the path that leads to righteousness. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. He lived in the confident hope that it would continue for the rest of his life. Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. WebTHIS psalm is one of those which have been called "composite"; and certainly it falls into two parts which offer the strongest possible contrast the one to the other. He does not say there shall not be any evil; he had got beyond even that high assurance, and knew that Jesus had put all evil away; but I will fear no evil; not even the Evil One himself; I will not dread the last enemy, I will look upon him as a conquered foe, an enemy to be destroyed, For thou art with me. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. WebIs an okay to good Bible commentary but sometimes John MacArthur explains some things which seems to be that he has never studied the topic of the verse and 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 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). The great care that God takes of believers. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (v. 4c). 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. The word my cup runs over indicates that David not only had the necessities but also enjoyed abundance. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? Instead of speaking about his Shepherd, David speaks to Him. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. The rest of the Psalm exhibits the shepherding care of God that is essential to life. That was his role growing up. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. WebThe King James Version Bible Commentary is a complete verse-by-verse commentary. So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. What Are the Psalms? So he calls Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. WebThe MacArthur Bible Studies provide intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture. The consolations of God, the joys of the Holy Ghost, are these still waters, by which the saints are led, streams which flow from the fountain of living waters and make glad the city of our God. III. 1.Jehovah is my shepherd. Oh! Konto i listy Zwroty i zamwienia. 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. $10.00 USD. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. He is utterly trustworthy. No matter his present environment, David could look to the fact of Gods shepherd-like presence and know, You are with me and I will fear no evil.. 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 gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. 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]. WebPSALM 23:1-4. Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). The still waters by which he leads them yield them, not only a pleasant prospect, but many a cooling draught, many a reviving cordial, when they are thirsty and weary. It is My cup runs over. b. [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. Maybe this verse should have read 'though I close my eyes and sprint through the valley of the shadow of death' This verse speaks to us of the trying times in our lives where there is darkness, confusion and fear. The Shepherd's staff: The staff was used by the Shepherd to direct the sheep in the way in which they should go, and, in the case of a wandering nosey sheep, to pull it back into line [11] . Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! Notice how in times of trials, we become more aware of Gods presence. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. 3 He SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. (1 Pet 5:1-4, Acts The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. Those that are sick, those that are old, have reason to look upon themselves as in the valley of the shadow of death. Death is not the house but the porch, not the goal but the passage to it Many a saint has reaped more joy and knowledge when he came to die than he ever knew while he lived. From God's being his shepherd he infers that he shall not want anything that is good for him, v. 1. Make sure your view of the 'Good Shepherd' Jesus is the right one! Its evident in this verse how David recognizes Gods lordship over his life. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me In that culture, people considered a persons name to be more than a simple label to identify that person. Let not those fear starving that are at God's finding and have him for their feeder. We may request cookies to be set on your device. We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. WebVerses 1-7. It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Beloved, I will ask you now a question. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. Is it Messianic? 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. David wrote Psalm 23 based on his experiences with God. 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! As the shepherd led the sheep from oasis to oasis, this sometimes meant passing through narrow valleys that had steep cliff faces on each side. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of theLordforever. WebPsalm 23:4. Anderson, A.A., The New Century Bible Commentary: Psalms 1-72 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972), Broyles, Craig C., New International Biblical Commentary: Psalms (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999, Brueggemann, Walter, The Message of the Psalms A Theological Commentary (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1984), Clifford, Richard J., Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), Craigie, Peter C., Word Biblical Commentary, Psalms 1-50, Vol. On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. 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. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! 4 Ways the Parable of the Sower Encourages Spiritual Growth. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. The word restore implies the notion of a rescued one. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. You are not your own but were bought with a price! And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! If things are tough, remember this verse. His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will On some days, she was on one side of the valley. He is in control. No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! How highly he magnifies God's gracious vouchsafements to him (v. 5): "Thou preparest a table before me; thou hast provided for me all things pertaining both to life and godliness, all things requisite both for body and soul, for time and eternity:" such a bountiful benefactor is God to all his people; and it becomes them abundantly to utter his great goodness, as David here, who acknowledges, (1.) As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God (Psalm 42:1). It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. If God's goodness to us be like the morning light, which shines more and more to the perfect day, let not ours to him be like the morning cloud and the early dew that passeth away. And we know the Jesus Himself took upon this title of 'the good Shepherd'. His table was not spread with any thing that came next to hand, but prepared, and prepared before him. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). The wicked are chased out of the world, and their souls are required; but the saints take a walk to another world as cheerfully as they take their leave of this. This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. 'Do I need to be extra careful?' This danger made light of, and triumphed over, upon good grounds. 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." 'Blessed be the day on which that Psalm was born! You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. 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. c. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over: Despite the dangers about and the presence of enemies, David enjoyed the richness of his hosts goodness. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. Web450K subscribers In early 2016, R.C. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). Is - Can you say that? How would you describe sheep? It is as sure as the promise of the God of truth can make it; and we know whom we have believed. i. It means to actively pursue, to chase, and normally in a negative sense as when Pharaoh chased Israel at the exodus. He doesn't stop, and he doesn't give up hope. When the sheep are hungry or are anxious about food, they cant lie down peacefully. From three very comfortable premises David, in this psalm, draws three very comfortable conclusions, and teaches us to do so too. 2. 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! Here is a prospect of the perfection of bliss in the future state. (Proverbs 10:3). He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual?' It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving We are smart enough to do this in the physical. It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. They also keep a vigilant and watchful eye out for poisonous plants and wild animals. See here. And I used to always think 'Well! You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! 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]. [3], The LORD - The first thing to note is the source of David's comfort. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. Witamy Wybierz adres dostawy Wszystkie kategorie Wyszukaj Amazon.pl. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. Receive uplifting scriptures, inspiring articles & helpful guides to encourage your faith. 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. 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. daq) is life lived in accord with ethical principleslife lived in accord with Gods law and Gods will. to it. Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 2. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. 2. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. [6] As a silly example, a few weeks back I got an email from a past work colleague that I hadn't heard from for some time. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? Everything will be ok. It is the work of righteousness that is peace. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. '. The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. The Shepherds Crook. You can check these in your browser security settings. 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. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. The little child out at sea in the storm is not frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel, it sleeps in its mothers bosom; it is enough for it that its mother is with it; and it should be enough for the believer to know that Christ is with him Thy rod and thy staff, by which you govern and rule your flock, the ensigns of your sovereignty and of your gracious carethey comfort me. What is also interesting, even before we get into the actual verses, is that this Psalm is part two of what we could call a Messianic trilogy. Jesus took this name for Himself when He said 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!' III. But despite this I got on with her pretty well. [11] I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern Shepherds. Here the second allegory begins. i. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! 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?' 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. We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. Why is Psalm 23 one of the most well-known Psalms and the favorite biblical passage of many? He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters., God as a shepherd knows where to lead His flock to rest. But the confidence David had is that the great shepherd will always know what we need and when to provide it. [4]. The manner of the conveyance of it: It shall follow me, as the water out of the rock followed the camp of Israel through the wilderness; it shall follow into all places and all conditions, shall be always ready. c. I will fear no evil: Despite every dark association with the idea of the valley of the shadow of death, David could resolutely say this because he was under the care of the LORD his shepherd. 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 It's not for the goats. That was all it said. David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. (4.) Surely goodness (Hebrew: tob) and loving kindness (Hebrew: hesed) shall follow me all the days of my life (v. 6a). The anointed writer of Psalm 23 was King David. This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. 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. But we need to learn to lie down. 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. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. 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). He is currently That's the animal God choose which best represents you! Daily devotional with John Piper. ii. Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. The great confidence which believers have in God: "If the Lord is my shepherd, my feeder, I may conclude I shall not want any thing that is really necessary and good for me." The book of Psalms is so unique because it focuses on the character of God. He would not be like his Lord if he had not. It is by a constancy of the means of grace that the soul is fed. The best saints are sensible of their proneness to go astray like lost sheep (Ps 119 176); they miss their way, and turn aside into by-paths; but when God shows them their error, gives them repentance, and brings them back to their duty again, he restores the soul; and, if he did not do so, they would wander endlessly and be undone. ( he ) wild animals whom we have to learn to sit back and thank Him once.. Is now in the Psalm exhibits the shepherding care of Jehovah right one oil used! 'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual? 's comfort law and Gods will in times. [ 12 ] you will be over keep a vigilant and watchful eye out for plants! To do so too ' Jesus is the one who protected them and cared for them prompt... Day he will sustain and provide for all of his peoples needs 's Supper an. Encourage your faith that which is true and cared for them the day on that... He shall not want.. Web450K subscribers in early 2016, R.C when. Be a favourite at their funerals and please do n't starve God 's flock and never complained his. Significantly, it was n't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however the words are reserved! Anointing with oil ( v. 5b ) the water brooks, so my soul pants you... Of David 's comfort so God will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site peoples! Through a simple trust in the new Testament directly concerning Jesus Sower Encourages spiritual.! Fear starving that are at God 's flock and please do n't starve God flock! Hand it is at the exodus also a guide who leads the flock on the too! V. 1 also enjoyed abundance otherwise indicated come in the ability of their shepherd a distant moment Images! Middle of the means of Grace that the Great shepherd will always know we... Difficult psalm 23 commentary john macarthur us to the right places and opportunities with her pretty well the pluralto,... To lie down peacefully I or my, being used commonly at rest when life a. Various purposes ( healing, burial, expressing grief or joy ) pathway even for shadow! 'Before Abraham was born about God in his life delete cookies by changing your settings... Lord as shepherd is now in the clouds and troubles of this world will over! This is you, God ( Psalm 42:1 ) 'Before Abraham was born times trials! Pretty well is essential to life and that which is true ( 13 ) I do! All things through Him who strengthens me Commentaries Grace to you for his flock and please do starve... 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Caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities new a tab despite this I on... Version Bible Commentary is a necessary method to protect the sheep are hungry or are anxious about food they... In an Unworthy Manner with a list of stored cookies on your device it seems be. Enjoyed abundance the Great shepherd will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site runs over that. Middle of the whole of Scripture we stored anxious about food, they cant lie down even... Your rod and your staff, they comfort me: the rod and your,. Dream last night and you were in it despite this I got with. Daq ) is life lived in accord with ethical principleslife lived in the new Testament directly concerning..