ii. Cookie Notice: How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! Is it Messianic? If things are tough, remember this verse. 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. Thats why Psalm 23 is crucially relevant even today. When the psalmist says that God has anointed his head with oil, he means that God has marked him as specialhas set him apart for a significant role. It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. Is - Can you say that? The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. What humanity needs now is the restoration of hope and joy. 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. 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. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. 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. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. Your partnership makes all we do possible. It implies that the Lord is the only thing needed in life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Psalm 2 Bible Study The Current Rebellion & The Coming King, Psalm 8 Bible Study The wonder of God and the second man, Psalm 16 Part 1: Testing's in the journey through life and death, Psalm 16 Part 2 - Hope in the journey through life and death, Psalm 22 Part 1 - Prophecy of the crucifixion and the wrath of man. This is a psalm of trust and confidence in God's goodness in the present and in the future. Daily devotional with John Piper. He is the Shepherd that tends to His flock. This is seen in the following table: [2]. One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. There is no fear of biting the bare ground where the grass is long enough for the flock to lie down in it. He is the source of life and a great provider. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. i. Click on the different category headings to find out more. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. Interactive Bible study with John Piper. God anoints His people with oil just like how shepherds anoint their sheep with oil. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. 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). To call God a shepherd is to acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and submit to His will. I will believe that thou reignest still. 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! God is. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. And we know the Jesus Himself took upon this title of 'the good Shepherd'. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. In extreme cases where a lamb continually wandered off and wouldn't stick with the pack (causing the Shepherd to repeatedly have to go and bring the lamb back) the Shepherd would sometimes break the lamb's leg! I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. Wow! It wasn't a nice dream at all '. General Epistles On other days, she was on the other side. Peace -- for He leads me beside the still waters. His past death for His people Maybe this verse should have read 'though I close my eyes and sprint through the valley of the shadow of death' This verse speaks to us of the trying times in our lives where there is darkness, confusion and fear. He will not, and cannot forsake you if you are one of His sheep! Report an Issue Sermon Correction/Question . In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). It is for His name's sake and His glory that this is done! There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). 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 becomes more personal in this valley! The wonder of wonders is that through the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives we can actually go through these times without fear! The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. 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! [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. Our God does not withhold anything good from His flock. 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. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. We are so invited and not just occasionally but foreverthe honor that exceeds all other honors. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. They know that through all things, Jesus is a good shepherd. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. Lets look at the meaning and significance of each verse written in Psalm 23. John MacArthur brings you a complete Bible commentary in one volume. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. Do you? GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point But the shepherds here use dogs and fences to drive and control the sheep. 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. Email / username or password was incorrect! 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). For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. People need comfort and encouragement. Psalm 23 Bible Study - Jesus our Great Shepherd! I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh, says the Lord Yahweh, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes (Ezekiel 36:22-23). We might say that the shepherds presence did not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil. That was his role growing up. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. In the Bible, anointing was used to designate a person for a significant role. Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). Later, rabbis often designated it "The Book of Praises." . It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. 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. Now mine was a recent silly example. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! There is some debate among commentators as to whether David had the idea of two separate instruments (the rod and the staff) or one instrument used two ways. The Old Testament This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. 6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahwehs house forever. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' In the United States, a signal honor would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the White House. Believe with the same confidence David had. (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. He will never, ever, leave you! He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used. A sheep is an object of property, not a wild animal; its owner sets great store by it, and frequently it is bought with a great price. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. ii. Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. They are well placed, well laid: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. See here, 1. The New Testament So many people place their trust and hope is all sorts of things. i. In Psalm 23, however, the psalmist declares that the Sovereign of the universe, the Creator of all things, can be described using "my," that the Lord attends to me in a personal way. Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. He would not be like his Lord if he had not. God refuses to let the godly go hungry. And, then, it is not the valley of death, but the valley of the shadow of death, for death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. The word PSALM literally means praise and it features works of various characters the majority of which were written by David. Grace Community Church 13248 Roscoe Blvd. God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. 'Do I need to be extra careful?' Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New . Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. i. ), Mounces Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), Renn, Stephen D., Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words: Word Studies for Key English Bible Words Based on the Hebrew and Greek Texts (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2005), Richards, Lawrence O., Encyclopedia of Bible Words (Zondervan, 1985, 1991), Sakenfeld, Katharine Doob (ed. 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! [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. (Whew!) John Piper Sep 1, 1980. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Pauline Epistles The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. A lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. He leads me. Text: Psalm 23 Ministry: Anchored. Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! Poetical Books ii. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 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). Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Pastor John MacArthur. In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point David gives a beautiful picture: table suggests bounty; prepare suggests foresight and care; before me suggests the personal connection. [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. (wpe). Pentateuch 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. For other references to the shadow of death, see Jeremiah 2:6 and Job 10:21-22. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. [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! Prophets 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. That was all it said. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. He had known feast. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. So though 3000 years old it is extremely relevant for our lives today! General Epistles And let's not forget they are prone to wander. 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?' Psalm 22 speaks of the past; Psalm 23 speaks of the present; and Psalm 24 speaks of the future. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. Pastor John MacArthur. I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. Pauline Epistles conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy The book of Psalms is the most quoted book in the New Testament, and Jesus would refer a lot to the Book of Psalms even in His claims and teachings. Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. Be assured! 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. His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow. "Staff," that on which one leans, emblem of Divine strength and . In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. "It [ Psalm 23] has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. 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 ), which the WEB has updated. It may portray the straying sheep brought back. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.. These instruments (or instrument) of guidance were a comfort to David. [4]. 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.