psalm 23 commentary john macarthur

But despite this I got on with her pretty well. Site by Mere. Many people were praying for me. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. Believe with the same confidence David had. Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. My cup runs over. I will fear no evil. But it is still the path that leads to righteousness. His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! The New Testament ISBN 10: 0785250662 ISBN 13: . There are stacks of deceptive shepherds around just as there always were. He would tend, protect and care for his sheep. Articles Messages Books Podcasts Filter Resources By Ask Pastor John. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 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. The New Testament For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. April 17, 2011. Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. 'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual?' Text: Psalm 23 Ministry: Anchored. Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. I had good medical care. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point In the Old Testament world, to eat and drink at someones table created a bond of mutual loyalty, and could be the culminated token of a covenant. The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. Wisdom Literature 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." The Premiere One-Volume Commentary . You may be in a dark place but you must keep walking. It was never used on the sheep. The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. To experience the care and guidance of God as a shepherd, we must identify ourselves as His sheep. Later, rabbis often designated it "The Book of Praises." . Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. He was the son of Jesse and a direct descendant of Abraham. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. Is it Messianic? Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. The word restore implies the notion of a rescued one. Depression and other illnesses can enshroud us in darkness and threaten us with death. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. How would you describe sheep? Published by Thomas Nelson, 2005. See here, 1. The Old Testament There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. And I used to always think 'Well! Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). Poetical Books Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. 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. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. When I was serving in Vietnam as a chaplain, I visited soldiers in the A Shau Valley near Laos. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. Make sure your view of the 'Good Shepherd' Jesus is the right one! 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. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. All the days of my life; With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. Interactive Bible study with John Piper. 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. Ethan Collins November 17, 2020, Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. God is like a shepherd to David. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. Although God, by his benefits, gently allures us to himself, as it were by a taste of his fatherly sweetness, yet there is nothing into which we more easily fall than into a forgetfulness of him, when we are in the enjoyment of peace and comfort. What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the author's heart and trust in God. What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? 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. He rammed it home so much that come lunch time we were saying 'I WILL eat my lunch', 'I will EAT my lunch.' The idea that the LORD is a shepherd to His people is also prevalent throughout the Bible. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. Wisdom Literature [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006-2009), VanGemeren, Willem A. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. This is seen in the following table: [2]. 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. Companionship -- for you are with me. The sense of this verse then is that, because God is loving and kind, his people can expect God to provide blessings throughout life. 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. Learn More | Livestream | Bulletin Servicios en espaol. It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? It means to actively pursue, to chase, and normally in a negative sense as when Pharaoh chased Israel at the exodus. It works. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. 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! range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. The anointed writer of Psalm 23 was King David. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. Verse 1. In the Bible, anointing was used to designate a person for a significant role. We in turn should allow that light to shine forth towards others so that people may see our lives and praise God. 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. Peace -- for He leads me beside the still waters. God's Testimony to the Scriptures. Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. The sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. But do we believe it? Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. (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. The Saviours Cross. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. In Psalm 23, God has answered this prayer God has led him in paths of righteousness. The Old Testament Historical Books 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. If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. It may portray the straying sheep brought back. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself. I remember a woman who grieved every year on anniversary of the death of her infant child. The Hebrew word for staff (mishaynaw) seems to speak of a support in the sense of a walking stick. With this verse, he begins to use the second person (you and your). 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! But he also knew something else. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. To call God a shepherd is to acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and submit to His will. ii. Johannine Writings in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. Under Johns leadership, Grace Community Church's two morning worship services fill the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity. Gods shepherding care from the previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. 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. Amazon, in the last couple of weeks (Nov 2014) released the most highlighted passages in their most popular books downloaded onto Kindle, their electronic book reader. Near death, the saint does not walk in the valley, but through the valley. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! To be invited to the Kings table was a great honor. Please read and believe! Excellent for: personal and family devotions pastoral study preparing Sunday-school lessons using with a small group simply readingeach volume draws you in 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. But there is a greater provision and far greater blessing still to come. We are smart enough to do this in the physical. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' Notice how in times of trials, we become more aware of Gods presence. 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. So our great Shepherd protects and provides for His sheep during their life on this earth. Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. The Whole Bible The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. (Kidner). [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. Psalm 19. We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' Click on the different category headings to find out more. The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. Historical Books ), The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. [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. It is a psalm written by David who grew up as a shepherd. . John Piper Sep 1, 1980. Abraham's Bosom, Paradise, and Heaven 1. 1TheLordis my shepherd; I shall not want. His past death for His people A number of our soldiers died there. I started off by saying that I wanted to have a look at what is probably the most popular chapter in the entire Old Testament. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. Behold just such a one! Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. Nov. 10, 2012. 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 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. Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. i. The Hebrew word for rod (shaybet) here seems to simply mean a stick with a variety of applications. 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. That was a question that was once sent to me. i. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; '. 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. 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 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 [ Psalm 23] has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. ), The Complete WordStudy Old Testament (Chattanooga; AMG Publishers, 1994), Baker, Warren and Carpenter, Eugene, The Complete WordStudy Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003), Bromiley, Geoffrey (General Editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, 4 vols. It implies that the Lord is the only thing needed in life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities. General Epistles It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. We lie on our beds yet carry on the same thoughts inside. It has not made the dying Christian slave freer than his masterNor is its work done. ii. He first spoke them for Israels sake, but he caused Isaiah to record them for our sake. Are any of us low in grace? Pentateuch I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). But, what makes it so compelling? Pentateuch He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. (wpe). Major Prophets The shepherds guidance not only comforted and restored David but also led His sheep to righteousness. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. 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 Gospels So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? God shines His light into our lives. In terms of how it is loved, look at how one old theologian from the 1800's spoke of it. Now this place of rest is, first and foremost spiritually speaking, right in the midst of the problem. So though 3000 years old it is extremely relevant for our lives today! You are not your own but were bought with a price! 27:1). If there is a ditch, they will fall in and need to be rescued. David found him so, and so have we. Minor Prophets The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). But the love for our Saviour is great, with us waiting patiently for a time all these woes will come to an end. iii. Shepherd - This imagery of the shepherd and sheep spans the entire Bible but is most prominent in the New Testament where Jesus speaks about His relationship with His people, His sheep. The light shines the brightest in the dark. ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. The idea is of a sturdy walking stick, used to gently (as much as possible) guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. 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. 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. They know that it will be ok. the peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances! Luke-Acts Historical Books Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. 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. Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. 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. What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. He is that interested in each of His sheep! And obviously, he would then leave the lamb to die in the wilderness, eaten by its predators! [6]. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? A city on a hill cannot be hidden. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. Title The entire collection of Psalms is entitled "Praises" in the Hebrew text. 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. - Henry Ward Beecher, [2] J Vernon McGee writes 'to put it succinctly, in Psalm 22 we see the cross, in Psalm 23 the crook (the Shepherd's crook), and in Psalm 24 the crown (the King's crown). It makes sense. He doesn't stop, and he doesn't give up hope. Luke-Acts [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! I live in New Zealand, and yes, I know, we have more sheep than people! b. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). 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! Major Prophets I will believe that thou reignest still. The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 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.

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psalm 23 commentary john macarthur