But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. When the sheep are hungry or are anxious about food, they cant lie down peacefully. [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. Minor Prophets Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. He is utterly trustworthy. They will not lie down when there is conflict among the sheep. 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. Now this place of rest is, first and foremost spiritually speaking, right in the midst of the problem. The Gospels i. The word PSALM literally means praise and it features works of various characters the majority of which were written by David. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. We seek more of God and depend on Him further when we encounter problems. 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. He had known feast. God anoints His people with oil just like how shepherds anoint their sheep with oil. ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. Oh! Our God does not withhold anything good from His flock. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. God wasnt just a shepherd to others in a theoretical sense, but He was Davids shepherd. When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. It is a Psalm of but 6 verses but countless sermons and entire books have been written on it. 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). 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. Verse 4 has a dark tone that embodies the possibility of traversing through the valley of death even in the presence of the shepherd. Now David wasn't saying here that 'the Lord is my Shepherd, whom I do not want'! There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. Pauline Epistles b. Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. They probably are anxious about different things. To walk indicates the steady advance of a soul which knows its road, knows its end, resolves to follow the path, feels quite safe, and is therefore perfectly calm and composed Observe that it is not walking in the valley, but through the valley. Shepherds use the rod and staff to guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. a. What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? Peace -- for He leads me beside the still waters. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. Cookie Notice: Published by Thomas Nelson, 2005. With family of say, a mother, a father, 3 or four children, and only one in the family working and bringing in 3 dollars (a day), it would takes ages before one can afford to buy anything extra, even clothes or even a blanket. 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. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. 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. 4 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006, Baker, Warren (ed. The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. [4]. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. The overflowing cup symbolizes the Lords generosity. The New Testament [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. A great promise indeed! As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? David found him so, and so have we. John Piper Sep 8, 1980 Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. On other days, she was on the other side. "Staff," that on which one leans, emblem of Divine strength and . The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. While I am here I will be a child at home with my God; the whole world shall be his house to me; and when I ascend into the upper chamber I shall not change my company, nor even change the house; I shall only go to dwell in the upper story of the house of the Lord for ever. (Spurgeon), (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. David wrote this while remembering his fearful experiences. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a It's not for the goats. 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. The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used. What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 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). Pentateuch One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place. Is it Messianic? 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. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, Luke-Acts The New Testament Johannine Writings May we live in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh anointing for every days duties. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. David envisioned God as a benevolent host who prepared a grand banquet. They know that through all things, Jesus is a good shepherd. 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 emphasis of his pulpit ministry is the careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, with special attention devoted to the historical and grammatical background behind each passage. That is some revelation! You are mine. God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. It becomes more personal in this valley! ii. [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. The Hebrew word for staff (mishaynaw) seems to speak of a support in the sense of a walking stick. But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." . In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. i. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.. General Epistles 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] . David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. Solid Joys. All of John's 3,000 sermons, spanning more than four decades of ministry, are available for free on the Grace to You website. It is a psalm written by David who grew up as a shepherd. Psalm 23 Bible Study - Jesus our Great Shepherd! 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