A city on a hill cannot be hidden. The word my cup runs over indicates that David not only had the necessities but also enjoyed abundance. That is some revelation! May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Major Prophets General Epistles Topical Series; DVD Series; Bible Series; Flash Drives; Bundles . If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. The Whole Bible And let's not forget they are prone to wander. This is a great shame because it is not a psalm of death! I had good medical care. I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. He leads me. So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). When we get tired we take a rest. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. i. The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. 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 Davids song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. 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. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Please see Blue Letter Bible's Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. Luke-Acts Major Prophets The light shines the brightest in the dark. But mostly, they were comforting because they were in the hands of a caring shepherd. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. 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 psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. A lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. 'Is something bad going to happen to me?' Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . 1 Samuel 17:35), and the latter for control since discipline is security., iii. Under Johns leadership, Grace Community Church's two morning worship services fill the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity. All of John's 3,000 sermons, spanning more than four decades of ministry, are available for free on the Grace to You website. i. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. He is a great shepherd. iv. Please visit: https://www.bestbiblecommentaries.comPlease visit: www.bestbiblecommentaries.comBrowse John MacArthur's bible commentaries on Amazon:https://am. A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. The green pastures and waters spoken of in this verse were often some distance apart and the shepherd would have to lead his flock to these places. For them, it truly was the valley of the shadow of death. What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? Which is it? GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, (Hebrew/Greek Search by English Definition), * 'Number Delimiters' only apply to 'Paragraph Order', Search verses, phrases, and topics (e.g. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. This is seen in the following table: [2]. We lie on our beds yet carry on the same thoughts inside. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. You can find a family who have brought up children to being young adults and have never owned a bed. 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. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! John MacArthur: The Lord Is My Salvation 92,638 views Jun 16, 2017 1.3K Dislike Share Save Ligonier Ministries 448K subscribers "The Lord is my light and my salvation" (Ps. 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. God refuses to let the godly go hungry. Now this place of rest is, first and foremost spiritually speaking, right in the midst of the problem. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD i. It is getting harder to live on this planet - from a health point of view, from a financial point of view, from a spiritual and moral point of view, from a fear and anxiety point of view - there is much that a person could be concerned about. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). A poor man may say this as well as those in higher circumstances, What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?[6]. To be invited to a persons table was an honor. 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). The epistle to the Hebrews is a study in contrast, between the imperfect and incomplete provisions of the Old Covenant, given under Moses, and the infinitely better provisions of the New Covenant offered by the perfect High-Priest, God's only Son and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Daily devotional with John Piper. 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. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). can be seen as comforting for it is a sign that He loves us scripture says (Heb 12:6). 3 He restores my soul. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. God is. Psalm 23 symbolizes the human race as a flock and God as their Shepherd. for his names sake (v. 3c). Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. Oh! Site by Mere. 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. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. Major Prophets 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! Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. She is a lady that is unfortunately into the New Age and has spirit guides etc She doesn't agree with what I believe nor do I agree with her beliefs. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. It wasn't a nice dream at all '. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. He is in control. Major Prophets It is for His name's sake and His glory that this is done! 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. 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. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter's angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. 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. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? Psalms 23. The Gospels Not many people receive such an invitation, and even fewer receive more than one. Verse 4 has a dark tone that embodies the possibility of traversing through the valley of death even in the presence of the shepherd. What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. In terms of how it is loved, look at how one old theologian from the 1800's spoke of it. Lord's Day Services. I will fear no evil. I. ii. Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible . May we live in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh anointing for every days duties. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. In Psalm 23, God has answered this prayer God has led him in paths of righteousness. Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. [9] These are the paths we should desire and actively seek. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. He is the Shepherd that tends to His flock. The shepherd certainly did not remove the presence of evil but removed the fear of evil. On some days, she was on one side of the valley. This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. Behold just such a one! and flame will not scorch you. Can you say that about your life? When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point [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. They are well placed, well laid: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. 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. With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. Published by Thomas Nelson, 2005. They can't run all that fast, don't have the greatest eye sight apparently and, being basically defenceless, are timid and fearful. (Kidner). It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. He will not, and cannot forsake you if you are one of His sheep! It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. 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. The idea that the LORD is a shepherd to His people is also prevalent throughout the Bible. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? If we were without enemies, we might fear that we were not the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity to GodThou preparest a table Nothing is hurried, there is no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door, and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. 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. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. How would you describe sheep? So to be Gods guest is to be more than an acquaintance, invited for a day. But how does God do this? It isnt his destination or dwelling place. However, many scholars believed David wrote it during his kingship (around 1000 BC to 993 BC). You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. The New Testament ii. [10] We have another source of confidence in our shepherd Jesus that even David didn't have when he wrote this psalm 3000 years ago. 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. Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The promises are for those who have been born again not those who simply like the sound of it for a funeral! [12] Must admit that I have been dealing with a few trials lately and when I read this verse it kind of caught me by surprise! He who turns the ebb into the flood can soon restore our soul. These twin guardian angels will always be with me at my back and my beck. Entdecke The Macarthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur (2005, Hardcover) in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! It has comforted the noble host of the poor. The overflowing cup symbolizes the Lords generosity. i. I remember a woman who grieved every year on anniversary of the death of her infant child. He rammed it home so much that come lunch time we were saying 'I WILL eat my lunch', 'I will EAT my lunch.' So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. The anointed writer of Psalm 23 was King David. You anoint my head with oil; Its also of paramount importance to recognize that the shepherd in this psalm connotes more than someone who merely herds the flock. Nor have I ever heard an audible voice that was clearly God's telling me which decisions to make. That was his role growing up. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! It is a psalm which has been sung by good Christians, and will be while the world stands, with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. It means to actively pursue, to chase, and normally in a negative sense as when Pharaoh chased Israel at the exodus. 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. 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. Everything will be ok. But we need to learn to lie down. The Premiere One-Volume Commentary . Prophets Minor Prophets This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. (Heb 5:12-14) [8]. A magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host; who has not only the bounty to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security. (Clarke). This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. You may be in a dark place but you must keep walking. David's song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. 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. Johannine Writings He had known famine. This name is 'Yahweh', the sovereign, almighty, delivering God. (Jer 23:1-4, Ezek 34:1-10) Work to be a faithful shepherd realising that it is God's own sheep that He has placed in your care. MON 10/20/2014. 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. Sep 8, 1980. Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. David had it right in placing his trust in the one true God who controls all things. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. i. How much would you have had in your cup? (Spurgeon), ii. This table represents all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. Pauline Epistles [5], We need to remind ourselves of this all the time. Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters.