psalm 23 commentary john macarthur
In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. He guides us and leads us along the right and true paths. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. General Epistles - 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). In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. And I will dwell in the house of the LORDforever: The psalm ends with the calmest assurance that he would enjoy the presence of the LORD forever both in his days on this earth and beyond. 6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahwehs house forever. 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. 3,580+ | 2 min. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. Minor Prophets 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! 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]. The Kings crown, Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. 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?' If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. There is no fear of biting the bare ground where the grass is long enough for the flock to lie down in it. 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. 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. 'Blessed be the day on which that Psalm was born! 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! Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' 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. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. i. They know that it will be ok. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. Giving without a Whisper by C. H. Spurgeon, Know, Known, Knowledge, Unknown - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, David Guzik :: Hechos 9 La Conversin de Saulo de Tarso, David Guzik :: Mateo 4 La Tentacin de Jess y Su Primer Ministerio en Galilea, David Guzik :: Hechos 2 El Espritu Santo Es Derramado Sobre la Iglesia, David Guzik :: Apocalipsis 20 Satans, el Pecado y la Muerte son Finalmente Eliminados, David Guzik :: 2 Timoteo 3 Los Tiempos Peligrosos y la Preciosa Verdad, David Guzik :: Apocalipsis 12 La Mujer, el Nio, y el Dragn, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus and the Holy Trinity (Walter Martin), Matthew 18-19 (1982-85 Audio) (Chuck Smith), Genesis 1:1-8 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), John 12 - Sir, We Would See Jesus (Chuck Missler), Genesis 2-3 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith). There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). i. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven .' 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. (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. However, Gods care for David doesnt remove the presence of his adversaries. The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. David knew all about this. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. But whether our fears are irrational or based on very real circumstances, our need to remember the Lord is the same. He is the Shepherd that tends to His flock. In Psalm 23, God has answered this prayer God has led him in paths of righteousness. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. ii. What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. Prophets The first time through the dark valley is always scary. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. April 17, 2011. Pray to him, then, for the blessingRestore thou me, thou Shepherd of my soul!, Some Christians overlook the blessing of sanctification, and yet to a thoroughly renewed heart this is one of the sweetest gifts of the covenant. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.. There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! That's the animal God choose which best represents you! God is his shepherd and his Goda God all-sufficient to all intents and purposes. Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. Share. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. But we need to learn to lie down. David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! 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. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. [1] As I mentioned, this is one famous Psalm. David wrote this while remembering his fearful experiences. For other references to the shadow of death, see Jeremiah 2:6 and Job 10:21-22. Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. General Epistles Are any of us low in grace? Pastor John MacArthur. We are so invited and not just occasionally but foreverthe honor that exceeds all other honors. 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. It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. 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. 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. Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. General Epistles Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. 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. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. He is a great shepherd. Like the Greek word agape (love) in the New Testament, hesed (lovingkindness) involves actionkindness or love expressed through kind or loving actions rather than just feelings. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. Do you? Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. To call God a shepherd is to acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and submit to His will. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. See here, 1. In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. My cup runs over (Hebrew: rewayah) (v. 5c). 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). I will believe that thou reignest still. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. It isnt his destination or dwelling place. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. God shines His light into our lives. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. 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. God is. The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). Psalms 23. [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. [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. Beloved, I will ask you now a question. I have called you by your name. It offers a broad overview of each Bible book and the internal consistency that results from having a single commentator. Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Your partnership makes all we do possible. When we get tired we take a rest. You are mine. He leads me beside still waters. As someone who worked as a shepherd before, David knew that shepherds live with their flock and are everything to it: guide, protector, and source of provision. He is that interested in each of His sheep! b) John MacArthur; MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians 5:18 - "Be filled" translates the present passive imperative of "pleroo", and is more literally rendered as "be being kept filled." We are "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit at the moment of justification (professing our faith in Christ). Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. 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