i. [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. Our children were still quite young. 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. The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. Behold just such a one! 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. Johannine Writings It's not for the goats. b. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: This line from the psalm and the psalm as a whole has proven itself precious to many a dying saint through the ages. The other thing to note on this point is that the entire psalm is only valid for those who truly have Jesus as their shepherd. Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. Johannine Writings Is it a terrible thing that even though God is sovereign and controls the entire universe, we don't want to let go of the reigns! 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 sheep may crack their skull just to ease the suffering to get rid of the brain-eating parasites. A servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the son abideth ever. While I am here I will be a child at home with my God; the whole world shall be his house to me; and when I ascend into the upper chamber, I shall not change my company, nor even change the house; I shall only go to dwell in the upper story of the house of the Lord forever. Pastor John MacArthur. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? Psalm 23 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (complete) - Christianity Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. 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). There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! He would not be like his Lord if he had not. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. [1] As I mentioned, this is one famous Psalm. Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. Verses 1-6. This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. But do we believe it? But there is a greater provision and far greater blessing still to come. They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren. The intimate portrayal of God as a shepherd is what makes Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable. 27:1). The MacArthur Bible Commentary | Logos Bible Software Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. 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. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. John is also president and featured teacher with Grace to You. iii. It's not somewhere that you set up camp thinking that is all you will ever know. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Topical Series; DVD Series; Bible Series; Flash Drives; Bundles . [9] These are the paths we should desire and actively seek. With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? People need comfort and encouragement. God is the one who looks after our lives. 'What happened exactly to me in the dream?' 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. Liberated for Life : Galatians - a Bible Commentary for Laymen by John F. MacArthur and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. 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. 1 Samuel 17:35), and the latter for control since discipline is security., iii. David had it right in placing his trust in the one true God who controls all things. Under Johns leadership, Grace Community Church's two morning worship services fill the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity. How would you describe sheep? 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. b. The image exudes a sense of rest, comfort, and care. Lord's Day Services. This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. It has not made the dying Christian slave freer than his masterNor is its work done. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). Is - Can you say that? Not was, like He helped you in the past. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. This table represents all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. It is a Psalm of but 6 verses but countless sermons and entire books have been written on it. 'Do I need to be extra careful?' Everyone loves this Psalm. Historical Books David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. That symmetric bracketing was a literary device intended to focus attention on the middle phrase, for you are with me. Gods saving presence is the focal point of this psalm. May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! The Gospels One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. General Epistles [6]. However, many scholars believed David wrote it during his kingship (around 1000 BC to 993 BC). Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. Commentaries; Sermons. To experience the care and guidance of God as a shepherd, we must identify ourselves as His sheep. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. The sense of this verse then is that, because God is loving and kind, his people can expect God to provide blessings throughout life. Jesus honors us by inviting us to his table, saying, This is my body that is for you. Psalms 23 - Dr. Constable's Expository Notes - Bible Commentaries c. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over: Despite the dangers about and the presence of enemies, David enjoyed the richness of his hosts goodness. See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. 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. Wisdom Literature A lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. 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. Prophets Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. Regardless of destitution, famine, storms, and other uncertainties, Gods flock is well-provided for in all seasons. Solid Joys. It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. 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. He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' 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. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! It implies that the Lord is the only thing needed in life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities. 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." Psalm's 22, 23 and 24 give different glimpses of this wonderful Shepherd. There are few experiences in life that would be more satisfying. Share. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' We must surrender our desires and follow where He leads no matter the cost. Jesus took this name for Himself when He said 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!' Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? God is. It is for His name's sake and His glory that this is done! (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. God is like a shepherd to David. But he would then carry that lamb while its leg mended and apparently, once healed, that lamb would never wander off from the shepherd again. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. When I was serving in Vietnam as a chaplain, I visited soldiers in the A Shau Valley near Laos. But if it is an honor to be invited to the Presidents home, it is an infinitely greater honor to be invited to the Lords house. My cup runs over. He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. Shepherds use the rod and staff to guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. General Epistles (23) Seller Location . Peace -- for He leads me beside the still waters. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. He will never, ever, leave you! (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. Daily devotional with John Piper. John MacArthur, Pastor-Teacher. for his names sake (v. 3c). The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John F. MacArthur - Google Play 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.'. 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. 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! Gods presence enables David to feast in perfect security. The Hebrew word for rod (shaybet) here seems to simply mean a stick with a variety of applications. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. (Philip Keller). 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! The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol | Desiring God and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. Psalms - Grace To You Nor have I ever heard an audible voice that was clearly God's telling me which decisions to make. Psalms 23. He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. Included in the "better" provisions are: a better hope . We are so invited and not just occasionally but foreverthe honor that exceeds all other honors. The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. 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). Nothing is outside of His control. David reflected on God's many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. Which is it? The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. But he also knew something else. In light of all these truths, we must respond promptly. It is a great comfort to know that God will correct us when we need it. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching grief's, of orphans in their loneliness. He had a sidekick with him who spoke on 'I will build my church'. the peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances! Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. Our God does not withhold anything good from His flock. They believed that something of the persons identity was tied up in the namethat the name expressed something of the persons essential character. Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. John MacArthur Bible Commentaries | Review - YouTube Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. Ouch. He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. 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. - 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). 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! He leads me beside still waters. Location. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. Johannine Writings Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. This is the joy of the Christian! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: The hosts care brought the goodness and mercy of God to David, and he lived in the faithful expectation of it continuing all the days of his life. You anoint my head with oil; Poetical Books They will not lie down when there is conflict among the sheep. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! There are stacks of deceptive shepherds around just as there always were. The Old Testament [4] I read in a John Hunter book that as well as being able to say 'The Lord is my shepherd' we should be able to say 'The shepherd is my Lord.' Maclaren writes: The rod and the staff seem to be two names for one instrument, which was used both to beat off predatory animals and to direct the sheep.. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. 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). i. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. (1 Pet 5:1-4, Acts (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006-2009), VanGemeren, Willem A. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. ISBN 10: 0785250662 ISBN 13: . As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. The MacArthur Bible Commentary: John MacArthur: 9780785250661 He is a dove, not an eagle; the dew, not the hurricane.[3]. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. This one-volume commentary on the entire Bible from one of America's foremost Bible expositors offers instead a minilibrary of understandable resources designed to convey the Bible's overarching message with historical and theological clarity. 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. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. What is also interesting, even before we get into the actual verses, is that this Psalm is part two of what we could call a Messianic trilogy. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). 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. For them, it truly was the valley of the shadow of death. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters., God as a shepherd knows where to lead His flock to rest. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. Psalm 23 Commentary - Sermon Writer They know that through all things, Jesus is a good shepherd. The word through is important. People need to know this beautiful Psalm of David to reorient and renew their thinking. In my experience I have never seen a visible manifestation of God going before me at a fork in the road. 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. (Spurgeon). You can also change some of your preferences. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. 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). Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. He has also served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. In Psalms 23:3, Psalms 23:4 the spiritual meaning shines through the figure, as in Psalms 23:5, Psalms 23:6 it is laid aside altogether; yet still the psalmist speaks of the "rod and staff." "Rod," the shepherd's crook, the received emblem of authority, guidance, and discipline. a. (12) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. Major Prophets Be assured! It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. Major Prophets Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New . These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. 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. He will not, and cannot forsake you if you are one of His sheep! 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! ), 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. I'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. Luke-Acts The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. 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! David wrote about this in Psalm 25. [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. The word PSALM literally means praise and it features works of various characters the majority of which were written by David. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). He wants to genuinely bless His people and live in the abundance of His grace. 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 psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). 1.Jehovah is my shepherd. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven .' Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In terms of how it is loved, look at how one old theologian from the 1800's spoke of it. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! If things are tough, remember this verse. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. [13] And His goodness and kindness will always follow you. So I started checking myself - heart was still pumping, ears were attached, nose still worked, yes, everything seemed to be in order. And he awaits the day when the great shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in the skies. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. How much would you have had in your cup? (Spurgeon), ii.
Toobin Zoom Video Actual Video, Recettes Mystique De Ya Kafi, 1880 O Morgan Silver Dollar Ngc, Thomas Sharkey Obituary, Why Was Joy Fired From Swamp Loggers, Articles P