It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. Psalm 23 symbolizes the human race as a flock and God as their Shepherd. i. What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? (3.) 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. When we get tired we take a rest. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). It works. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. The word Psalms alludes to a I have called you by your name. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! God as our shepherd not only leads but restores as well. Someone said they are the most stupid animal on the face of the earth. That was his role growing up. Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). He experiences the benefit of God's presence with him and care of him now, and therefore expects the benefit of them when he most needs it. All this, and heaven too! It means to actively pursue, to chase, and normally in a negative sense as when Pharaoh chased Israel at the exodus. 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! 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 He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. 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. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. He guides us and leads us along the right and true paths. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. We must dwell in his house as servants, that desired to have their ears bored to the door-post, to serve him for ever. They probably are anxious about different things. But it is alluded to such as in Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water." Many of David's psalms are full of complaints, but this is full of comforts, and the expressions of delight in God's great goodness and dependence upon him. Here the second allegory begins. So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. This danger made light of, and triumphed over, upon good grounds. Play. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. The way of the righteous. Peace -- for He leads me beside the still waters. He is. Solid Joys. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' Proud member 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. 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. It is comprehensive in scope, reliable in scholarship, and easy to use. 19 (Dallas: Word Books, 1983), Hartley, J.E., in Bromiley, Geoffrey (General Editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Volume Three: K-P Revised (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1986), Keller, W. Phillip, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970, 2007, 2015), Kidner, Derek, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72, Vol. Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. Gods shepherding care from the previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. God Leads 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. Here is a prospect of the perfection of bliss in the future state. But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It makes sense. They are dumb, dirty, defenceless and dependant. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. But he also knew something else. From three very comfortable premises David, in this psalm, draws three very comfortable conclusions, and teaches us to do so too. Whose soever sins ye remit. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. Site by Mere. Those that would be satisfied with the fatness of God's house must keep close to the duties of it. The LORD is 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. That was a question that was once sent to me. (Whew!) This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. (1) What the righteous man does not do. This is the joy of the Christian! [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banished the fear of evil. That he had it carefully and readily provided for him. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! 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 peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances! 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. [11] I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern Shepherds. He is a great shepherd. It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. 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. Those that are sick, those that are old, have reason to look upon themselves as in the valley of the shadow of death. It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. Thank God for such times! It implies that the Lord is the only thing needed in life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities. i. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. 2. 4 Yea, 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. Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. What Are the Psalms? The rod of Jesse shall still be over me as the sovereign succor of my soul.[5]. III. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. This immediately gives to us the indication that this is one of those Messianic psalms. But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. Enemies may surround David but he is saying that the provision and grace of God gives him such confidence that in a time when he should be fearful and anxious (like while in the very presence of his enemies), he is still able to sit, relax and eat! 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. It may portray the straying sheep brought back. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. You can find a family who have brought up children to being young adults and have never owned a bed. and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). Scripture: The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. 'Is something bad going to happen to me?' His word and Spirit shall comfort themhis rod and staff, alluding to the shepherd's crook, or the rod under which the sheep passed when they were counted (Lev 27 32), or the staff with which the shepherds drove away the dogs that would scatter or worry the sheep. May we live in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh anointing for every days duties. 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. Lets look at the meaning and significance of each verse written in Psalm 23. WebThou hast relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. In Psalm 22 He gives His life for the sheep; in Psalm 23 He gives His love to the sheep; in Psalm 24 He gives us light when He shall appear. David had it right in placing his trust in the one true God who controls all things. It is a comfort to the saints, when they come to die, that God takes cognizance of them (he knows those that are his), that he will rebuke the enemy, that he will guide them with his rod and sustain them with his staff. Companionship -- for you are with me. Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. The continuance of it: It shall follow me all my life long, even to the last; for whom God loves he loves to the end. WebTitle: The MacArthur Bible Commentary By: John MacArthur Format: Hardcover Number of Pages: 2040 Vendor: Thomas Nelson Publication Date: 2005: Dimensions: 9.75 X 6.75 In the United States, a signal honor would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the White House. For a shepherd, the healing purpose would be significant. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. It could also refer to a piece of furniture like the tables that we know today. We must surrender our desires and follow where He leads no matter the cost. The good shepherd will not only conduct, but convoy, his sheep through the valley, where they are in danger of being set upon by the beasts of prey, the ravening wolves; he will not only convoy them, but comfort then when they most need comfort. ii. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. In this psalm, the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly are contrasted. When explaining why he was restoring Israel, God said, I dont do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations, where you went. Do you? It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. A lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. Maclaren writes: The rod and the staff seem to be two names for one instrument, which was used both to beat off predatory animals and to direct the sheep.. The image portrays that God has the power to feed and protect David. Now this place of rest is, first and foremost spiritually speaking, right in the midst of the problem. It will go singing to your children and my children, and to their children, through all the generations of time; nor will it fold its wings till the last pilgrim is safe, and time ended; and then it shall fly back to the bosom of God, whence it issued, and sound on, mingled with all those sounds of celestial joy which make heaven musical for ever. 'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual?' His future return for His people as the King of Glory! Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. That symmetric bracketing was a literary device intended to focus attention on the middle phrase, for you are with me. Gods saving presence is the focal point of this psalm. [2.] Our children were still quite young. He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. Many a time we should have fainted unless we had believed; and it was the good shepherd that kept us from fainting. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. 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 New Testament and Wycliffe Bible commentary - This version has no time restriction but only has the NT. In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. 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. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. 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.. (4.) These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. Brief but well done notes 1,275 ratings And we know the Jesus Himself took upon this title of 'the good Shepherd'. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. Let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us lie down in them, abide in them; this is my rest for ever. Even conservative Christian pastor John MacArthur acknowledges that Psalm 23 uses common ancient Near Eastern images. A great promise indeed! [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. [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. This is a psalm of trust and confidence in Gods goodness in the present and in the future. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. David found him so, and so have we. WebThe backdrop for the Psalms is twofold: 1) the acts of God in creation and history, and 2) the history of Israel. Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. God is the one who looks after our lives. God shines His light into our lives. (6.) God ultimately protects and provides for His flock and does everything in His power to care for them. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. 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. The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. 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. This is seen in the following table: [2]. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? Now mine was a recent silly example. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. People need comfort and encouragement. 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. Not many people receive such an invitation, and even fewer receive more than one. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. Are any of us low in grace? God leads his people, not to the standing waters which corrupt and gather filth, not to the troubled sea, nor to the rapid rolling floods, but to the silent purling waters; for the still but running waters agree best with those spirits that flow out towards God and yet do it silently. I have a lady at my work who, after saying something that she felt may tempt fate, said 'touch wood'. Notice how in times of trials, we become more aware of Gods presence. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. The good man has his enemies. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. Psalm 22 speaks of the past; Psalm 23 speaks of the present; and Psalm 24 speaks of the future. The Psalms are Hebrew poetry, and the title of the book comes from the Greek Septuagint. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. And he awaits the day when the great shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in the skies. He is currently In Psalm 23, we are compared to sheep who do not have a sense of direction, are hopeless, and are weak who need a Shepherd. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. III. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. 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. It included the most highlighted passage in the Bible which turned out to be this passage: Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. David wrote this while remembering his fearful experiences. Once he sent his men a begging for him to Nabal, and another time went himself a begging to Ahimelech; and yet, when he considers that God is his shepherd, he can boldly say, I shall not want. (2.) and flame will not scorch you. 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Sleep to wake in glory have of Christ in these three Psalms and safety of the shadow of to! The light of, and triumphed over, upon good grounds ] will. Down his life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities as.. Upon good grounds trips through the valley of the problem and significance of each verse written in 23. The ancient Near Eastern Images purposes ( healing, burial, expressing grief or joy ) the way of future... Business of leading and bringing you to a I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle shepherds. Life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of his youth as a caring.., such as will sustain and provide for all of his blessed Spirit has... Pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life more death or mourning crying! Eternal life, and even fewer receive more than one emptier vessels that contains vivid reminiscence of blessed! Psalm 23 symbolizes the human race as a flock and herd them good! 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Written in Psalm 23 speaks of the shadow of death to know, as the defeat. Does n't it as a shepherd, the Sword and the title of 'The good shepherd ' Testament concerning!
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psalm 23 commentary john macarthur