psalm 23 commentary john macarthur

Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. He is a great shepherd. The Premiere One-Volume Commentary . This is the condition of Gods servant always conflict, but always a spread table. (Maclaren), ii. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Davids song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. So many people place their trust and hope is all sorts of things. (1 Pet 5:1-4, Acts [4]. ), The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. The Experiencing God Study Bible : the Bible for knowing and doing the will of God - Blackaby, Henry (1996) 1968 pages - CHECK THIS ONE! 3 He restores my soul. 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. 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. 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. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. He is. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. So I started checking myself - heart was still pumping, ears were attached, nose still worked, yes, everything seemed to be in order. 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. 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! If things are tough, remember this verse. He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible . 4 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006, Baker, Warren (ed. This is seen in the following table: [2]. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. General Epistles GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Daily devotional with John Piper. David found him so, and so have we. You will have much more pressing concerns. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. This is a psalm of trust and confidence in God's goodness in the present and in the future. There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). 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. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. The Old Testament Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. Be assured! (1.) It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. Pastor John MacArthur. He is the shepherd that provides and His people will lack no good thing. May we live in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh anointing for every days duties. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. Which is it? A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. 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! Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? Luke-Acts Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. [1], It is not only I do not want, but I shall not want. Come what may, if famine should devastate the land, or calamity destroy the city, I shall not want. Old age with its feebleness shall not bring me any lack, and even death with its gloom shall not find me destitute. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. The overflowing cup symbolizes the Lords generosity. I remember a woman who grieved every year on anniversary of the death of her infant child. The MacArthur Commentaries Series | SermonAudio In Psalm 23, God has answered this prayer God has led him in paths of righteousness. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Psalm 23 Commentary - Sermon Writer 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. When I was serving in Vietnam as a chaplain, I visited soldiers in the A Shau Valley near Laos. But we need to learn to lie down. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). 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. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. The Gospels In Psalm 22 Christ is the Saviour; in Psalm 23 He is the Satisfier; in Psalm 24 He is the Sovereign. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. For a shepherd, the healing purpose would be significant. I. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. The New Testament Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. 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. God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (v. 4c). Davids guidance from God has a moral component. God as our shepherd not only leads but restores as well. Cookie Notice: In my experience I have never seen a visible manifestation of God going before me at a fork in the road. John Piper Sep 1, 1980. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. 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. and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). i. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. The center point of this psalm is for you are with me. In the original Hebrew language, there are 26 words before this phrase, and 26 afterwards (Limburg, 74). Pentateuch He is the source of life and a great provider. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. They would travel from oasis to oasis. ii. Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. Lets look at the meaning and significance of each verse written in Psalm 23. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary | Logos Bible Software I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. To eat at the Kings table in the presence of your enemies would show your enemies that the king holds you in high regard, and would demonstrate their powerlessness to hurt you. Major Prophets ii. That seldom accomplishes His purposes and the rest of the Psalm show that these things do occur. His past death for His people 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. Interactive Bible study with John Piper. And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. When I asked the oncologist how serious it was, he said, Stage threemaybe Stage three and a half. My chances of survival were less than 50-50. And he awaits the day when the great shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in the skies. 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. Commentaries; Sermons. He is that interested in each of His sheep! 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. To experience the care and guidance of God as a shepherd, we must identify ourselves as His sheep. 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. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? In these verses, the metaphor changes from God as shepherd to God as host at a special banquet. Grace Community Church 13248 Roscoe Blvd. Though the majority of the occurrences of hesed are translated steadfast love, there are undeniable elements of mercy and kindness that underlie each of these occurrences (Renn, 633-634). He is the Shepherd that tends to His flock. a. Psalm 23 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (complete) - Christianity He has also served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. 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. 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. It's not for the goats. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. The anointed writer of Psalm 23 was King David. He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. It is a Psalm of but 6 verses but countless sermons and entire books have been written on it. 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. Your partnership makes all we do possible. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. Rev 21:3-4, 'Forever' is a long time, but this infinitely creative God will never fail to amaze us. The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me They will not lie down when there is conflict among the sheep. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. Verse 1. David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. b. 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. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. That was all it said. [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! 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. Scripture: Psalm 23. Sermon. (wpe). Why is Psalm 23 one of the most well-known Psalms and the favorite biblical passage of many? Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New . The Old Testament A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. Was it where you thought you would go? 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. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? The first time through the dark valley is always scary. What great confidence! Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 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. What He is leading, guiding and teaching us is firstly about the inward change to the circumstance even if outwardly things remain the same. 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! April 17, 2011. The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. Our children were still quite young. Giving without a Whisper by C. H. Spurgeon, Know, Known, Knowledge, Unknown - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, David Guzik :: Hechos 9 La Conversin de Saulo de Tarso, David Guzik :: Mateo 4 La Tentacin de Jess y Su Primer Ministerio en Galilea, David Guzik :: Hechos 2 El Espritu Santo Es Derramado Sobre la Iglesia, David Guzik :: Apocalipsis 20 Satans, el Pecado y la Muerte son Finalmente Eliminados, David Guzik :: 2 Timoteo 3 Los Tiempos Peligrosos y la Preciosa Verdad, David Guzik :: Apocalipsis 12 La Mujer, el Nio, y el Dragn, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus and the Holy Trinity (Walter Martin), Matthew 18-19 (1982-85 Audio) (Chuck Smith), Genesis 1:1-8 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), John 12 - Sir, We Would See Jesus (Chuck Missler), Genesis 2-3 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith). 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. Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006-2009), VanGemeren, Willem A. 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. David wrote about this in Psalm 25. People need comfort and encouragement. The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. Gods presence enables David to feast in perfect security. David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. 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. Psalm 19. On other days, she was on the other side. Later, rabbis often designated it "The Book of Praises." . We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. Is - Can you say that? [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! 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. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Sermons from the Book of Psalms | Grace to You - SermonAudio Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. 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. John is also president and featured teacher with Grace to You. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Gods presence removed the fear in David and comforted him. In that culture, people considered a persons name to be more than a simple label to identify that person. This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. 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 Shepherd's staff: The staff was used by the Shepherd to direct the sheep in the way in which they should go, and, in the case of a wandering nosey sheep, to pull it back into line [11] . Wisdom Literature I will fear no evil. Poetical Books I need to know you are well.' All the days of my life; This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. We can imagine various meanings for the valley of the shadow of death.. In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. Nov. 10, 2012. type 23-6 in the address bar in place of 1-1 so that . It was never used on the sheep. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters. He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. The Whole Bible What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? They know that it will be ok. 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. David knew all about this. He is a dove, not an eagle; the dew, not the hurricane.[3]. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Wisdom Literature Surely goodness (Hebrew: tob) and loving kindness (Hebrew: hesed) shall follow me all the days of my life (v. 6a). The Hebrew word rewayah suggests abundanceeven superabundance. I recently did a study on this psalm for a home group church meeting. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed iii. 'Blessed be the day on which that Psalm was born! I have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because The Lord is my shepherd. The wicked always want, but the righteous never; a sinners heart is far from satisfaction, but a gracious spirit dwells in a palace of content.[2]. 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. 3,580+ | 2 min. It makes sense. Verses 1-6. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. Excellent for: personal and family devotions pastoral study preparing Sunday-school lessons using with a small group simply readingeach volume draws you in The book of Psalms is so unique because it focuses on the character of God. He would not be like his Lord if he had not. Site by Mere. He leads me. 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. But observe: Thou preparest a table, just as a servant does when she unfolds the damask cloth and displays the ornaments of the feast on an ordinary peaceful occasion. He had known feast. But do we believe it? The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. John Piper Sep 8, 1980 It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. It is great advice but more than likely it is the most highlighted passage because people are in desperate need to remember it! So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. The wonderful discovery is that the Lord is not just a shepherd who looks after the entire flock, but He is cares for me as well. 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). But mostly, they were comforting because they were in the hands of a caring shepherd. The light shines the brightest in the dark. Learn More | Livestream | Bulletin Servicios en espaol. And let's not forget they are prone to wander. General Epistles Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 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. In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. The shepherds guidance not only comforted and restored David but also led His sheep to righteousness. 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. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. I have a lady at my work who, after saying something that she felt may tempt fate, said 'touch wood'. When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' 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 for ever. (Spurgeon), (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. Psalm 23 symbolizes the human race as a flock and God as their Shepherd. The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. He rammed it home so much that come lunch time we were saying 'I WILL eat my lunch', 'I will EAT my lunch.' When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. Scripture: Psalm 23. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. However, many scholars believed David wrote it during his kingship (around 1000 BC to 993 BC). With this verse, he begins to use the second person (you and your). And I used to always think 'Well! Prophets It is a psalm written by David who grew up as a shepherd. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, Sun Valley, CA 91352 This is a great shame because it is not a psalm of death! The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. 27:1). He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. It implies that the Lord is the only thing needed in life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities.

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