What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! They believed that something of the persons identity was tied up in the namethat the name expressed something of the persons essential character. It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. And when the days of this life are over, then we shall enter into that which we can only partly imagine, for, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.'. Make sure your view of the 'Good Shepherd' Jesus is the right one! 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! Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. Minor Prophets Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. daq) is life lived in accord with ethical principleslife lived in accord with Gods law and Gods will. The Middle Eastern shepherds in Israel didn't drive their sheep their sheep followed them. Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Sun Valley, CA 91352 Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. 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. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. Basically fear tactics. He leads me. Psalm 23 Commentary - Sermon Writer Thank God for such times! John MacArthur (b. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. But it is still the path that leads to righteousness. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. It is great advice but more than likely it is the most highlighted passage because people are in desperate need to remember it! In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. Then from the pulpit you would hear the same person say that if you didn't do this, this, and this you could lose your salvation or the Holy Spirit would leave you etc. So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? God is. In New Zealand (where I live) all of our farms and fields seem to be 'green pastures' and the sheep tend to munch all day! GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Use semicolons to separate groups: 'Gen;Jdg;Psa-Mal' or 'Rom 3-12;Mat 1:15;Mat 5:12-22', There are options set in 'Advanced Options', The Whole Bible He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. 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. But the shepherds here use dogs and fences to drive and control the sheep. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. When people die, we think of them as having entered the valley of the shadow of death, but the same is true for their loved ones. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [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. Poetical Books Depression and other illnesses can enshroud us in darkness and threaten us with death. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. The light shines the brightest in the dark. This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. Receive uplifting scriptures, inspiring articles & helpful guides to encourage your faith. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. 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. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. It's not somewhere that you set up camp thinking that is all you will ever know. But it is there that you learn that though you may not be able to see the shepherd as well as normal, He can see you and is still protecting you! Sermon. Ouch. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. There are few experiences in life that would be more satisfying. There is something about people who truly know their God. Is - Can you say that? 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! He has also served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. In light of all these truths, we must respond promptly. Are any of us low in grace? With this verse, he begins to use the second person (you and your). John Piper Sep 1, 1980. iv. 3 He restores my soul. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. Comfort -- for your rod and Thy staff comfort me. He is the source of life and a great provider. They are dumb, dirty, defenceless and dependant. They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. He is. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. God longs to bless and prosper His people. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Like the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, David might say that all of life is lived under the shadow of death, and it is the conscious presence of the LORD as shepherd that makes it bearable. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point The MacArthur Bible Commentary: John MacArthur: 9780785250661 Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. He rammed it home so much that come lunch time we were saying 'I WILL eat my lunch', 'I will EAT my lunch.' King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. (Kidner). They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. John is also president and featured teacher with Grace to You. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. He was aware of the potential dangers that may befall him. 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. The MacArthur Bible Commentary - John F. MacArthur - Google Books You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. Can you say that about your life? You are not your own but were bought with a price! He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. David's song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed 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). Jesus told the Samaritan woman, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water (John 4:10). Commentaries; Sermons. Every Christian is a priest, but he cannot execute the priestly office without unction, and hence we must go day by day to God the Holy Ghost, that we may have our heads anointed with oil. Nor have I ever heard an audible voice that was clearly God's telling me which decisions to make. 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. This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. A great promise indeed! But, what makes it so compelling? In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. He had a sidekick with him who spoke on 'I will build my church'. 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. John MacArthur: The Lord Is My Salvation - YouTube Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Psalms for the Anxious - Grace To You Pauline Epistles Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). God ultimately protects and provides for His flock and does everything in His power to care for them. He is that interested in each of His sheep! This verse doesn't mean that there will not be times of drought, valleys, difficulties and need--- far from it God loves you too much to just make things always easy! This is a great shame because it is not a psalm of death! You can also change some of your preferences. The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. Verses 1-6. Founded in 1969, Grace to You is the nonprofit organization responsible for developing, producing, and distributing Johns books, audio resources, and the Grace to You radio and television programs. 1 Samuel 17:35), and the latter for control since discipline is security., iii. He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. [1] As I mentioned, this is one famous Psalm. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! 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 In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. General Epistles The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. We seek more of God and depend on Him further when we encounter problems. Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. d. For You are with me: This emphasizes that it is the presence of the shepherd that eliminated the fear of evil for the sheep. In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. Lets look at the meaning and significance of each verse written in Psalm 23. the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). If there is a ditch, they will fall in and need to be rescued. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. John MacArthur brings you a complete Bible commentary in one volume. Bible Text Commentaries by John MacArthur - Blue Letter Bible Do you? How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! 'My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.. Luke-Acts Davids song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. The Gospels For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. 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. For I am Yahweh your God, He will never, ever, leave you! It becomes more personal in this valley! Notice how in times of trials, we become more aware of Gods presence. They probably are anxious about different things. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol | Desiring God In Psalm 23, God has answered this prayer God has led him in paths of righteousness. There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. All the days of my life; Our God does not withhold anything good from His flock. The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. 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. The Pearl of the Psalms: Spurgeon on Psalm 23 As a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God (Psalm 42:1). Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Nov. 10, 2012. The hosts care and concern doesnt eliminate the presence of my enemies but enables the experience of Gods goodness and bounty even in their midst. Psalm 23 | Anchored | Grace Community Church - gracechurch.org To be invited to Gods table is the ultimate honor. If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. 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. That seldom accomplishes His purposes and the rest of the Psalm show that these things do occur. Psalm 23 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (complete) - Christianity God wasnt just a shepherd to others in a theoretical sense, but He was Davids shepherd. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; (1.) These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. 1.Jehovah is my shepherd. ii. Jesus honored his disciples by inviting them to a table where he served them bread, saying, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:15-16). ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23 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. The rod of Jesse shall still be over me as the sovereign succor of my soul.[5]. 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). Anyway, we might have been being a tad naughty but the principle can be quite helpful and this is what I will do with this first verse. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. The shepherd certainly did not remove the presence of evil but removed the fear of evil. (Philip Keller). As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? 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). 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. Major Prophets But there is a greater provision and far greater blessing still to come. Historical Books The Whole Bible Ethan Collins November 17, 2020, Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. This is the joy of the Christian! Someone said they are the most stupid animal on the face of the earth. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. It may portray the straying sheep brought back. ii. The MacArthur Bible Commentary treats every passage of the Old and New Testaments phrase by phrase, with hundreds of word studies and sidebars throughout. The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. Note the pronoun change in this verse. But that is not how it is in the dry arid lands of the Middle East and we need to read this Psalm with that mindset. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . Minor Prophets b. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. The New Testament 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. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren. [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. Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. Play. You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Shepherds use the rod and staff to guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. [11] I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern Shepherds. But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place. General Epistles The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). 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. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used.