The New Testament Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. Psalm 23 - Sermon On the Lord is My Shepherd - Study and Obey 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. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. The Old Testament 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 is great advice but more than likely it is the most highlighted passage because people are in desperate need to remember it! When the sheep are hungry or are anxious about food, they cant lie down peacefully. (Whew!) Prophets Sure enough, someone guessed pretty quickly that it would be Psalm 23. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. On other days, she was on the other side. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. 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. God's Testimony to the Scriptures. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. It is a Psalm of but 6 verses but countless sermons and entire books have been written on it. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New . Please read and believe! Sun Valley, CA 91352 ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. But how does God do this? 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. Wisdom Literature He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. iv. They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. So to be Gods guest is to be more than an acquaintance, invited for a day. He leads me beside still waters. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. Why the double standard of confusing messages? 'Do I need to be extra careful?' We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible . i. Commentaries; Sermons. To be invited to Gods table is the ultimate honor. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Historical Books 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. John MacArthur. It becomes more personal in this valley! Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. 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. It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Are any of us low in grace? Solid Joys. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . Readers benefit from the coherence a single commentator provides, finding faithful, understandable, and . 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. We seek more of God and depend on Him further when we encounter problems. So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? ii. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. David wrote Psalm 23 based on his experiences with God. Pastor John MacArthur. Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. Our children were still quite young. Johannine Writings GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point This is a psalm of trust and confidence in God's goodness in the present and in the future. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. Which is it? He was aware of the potential dangers that may befall him. a. God longs to bless and prosper His people. Notice the following -. He is a popular conference speaker and the president of both The Master's College and The Master's Seminary. 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). David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John F. MacArthur - Google Play It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). The Gospels What great confidence! Scripture: Psalm 23. 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.'. Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol | Desiring God Do this in remembrance of me. Paul affirms the importance of this table ministry when he says, For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:24, 26). 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. Thank you for registering. Everything will be ok. The image exudes a sense of rest, comfort, and care. [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. Johannine Writings Psalms 23. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. There was no fear involved. He will never, ever, leave you! He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. Our God does not withhold anything good from His flock. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Minor Prophets I'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. He was the son of Jesse and a direct descendant of Abraham. Verses 1-6. David had extreme confidence in who God IS right now! 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. 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. It isnt his destination or dwelling place. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (v. 4c). 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 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. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. Wisdom Literature Pastor John MacArthur. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. I will believe that thou reignest still. I have called you by your name. Articles Messages Books Podcasts Filter Resources By Ask Pastor John. Oh! The Middle Eastern shepherds in Israel didn't drive their sheep their sheep followed them. To experience the care and guidance of God as a shepherd, we must identify ourselves as His sheep. 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. He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. 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. Beloved, I will ask you now a question. We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. We are so invited and not just occasionally but foreverthe honor that exceeds all other honors. 1TheLordis my shepherd; I shall not want. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 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. Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. The rod of Jesse shall still be over me as the sovereign succor of my soul.[5]. i. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? ISBN 10: 0785250662 ISBN 13: . But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. Kidner notes: The rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) and staff (to walk with, and to round up the flock) were the shepherds weapon and implement: the former for defence (cf. David wrote about this in Psalm 25. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. 1.Jehovah is my shepherd. The Analogy of God and the Shepherd in Psalm 23, The Lord As A Shepherd Who Provides (Verse 1), The Lord As A Shepherd Who Guides (Verses 2-3), The Protection And Comfort From Gods Presence (Verse 4), The Blessings of God Amidst Danger (Verse 5), Faith-Filled Content Delivered To Your Inbox, Best NASB Study Bibles Ranked & Reviewed, The Best Bible for Young Adults: Buyers Guide. The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. That was a question that was once sent to me. 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. But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. 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! 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.