He is in control. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. (Proverbs 10:3). A great promise indeed! (1.) Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. See here, 1. He was afraid and worried to go back into bed on his own. After talking with him, I asked him to read Psalm 23. After he read it, he said, Dad, this is really helpful. Even when I walk in a dark valley God will be with me and protect me. Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. God is the one who looks after our lives. The gospel is called the rod of Christ's strength (Ps 110 2), and there is enough in that to comfort the saints when they come to die, and underneath them are the everlasting arms. Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. The certainty of it: Surely it shall. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.. 2. His hope rises, and his faith is strengthened, by being exercised. As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. 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! It is comprehensive in scope, reliable in scholarship, and easy to use. The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes that only in it which pleases the senses; but to a godly man, who tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, and by faith relishes that, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture, Ps 37 16; Prov 15 16, 17. Observe, (1.) In New Zealand (where I live) all of our farms and fields seem to be That was all it said. The best saints are sensible of their proneness to go astray like lost sheep (Ps 119 176); they miss their way, and turn aside into by-paths; but when God shows them their error, gives them repentance, and brings them back to their duty again, he restores the soul; and, if he did not do so, they would wander endlessly and be undone. 5 Things You Should Know about the ESV Bible Translation. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. 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. It is a comfort to the saints, when they come to die, that God takes cognizance of them (he knows those that are his), that he will rebuke the enemy, that he will guide them with his rod and sustain them with his staff. His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. He who turns the ebb into the flood can soon restore our soul. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! 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. Once he sent his men a begging for him to Nabal, and another time went himself a begging to Ahimelech; and yet, when he considers that God is his shepherd, he can boldly say, I shall not want. Its also of paramount importance to recognize that the shepherd in this psalm connotes more than someone who merely herds the flock. Let not those fear starving that are at God's finding and have him for their feeder. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. It is a bit difficult to ascertain the exact time Psalm 23 was written. 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. 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. Are any of us low in grace? Those that are sick, those that are old, have reason to look upon themselves as in the valley of the shadow of death. 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! On other days, she was on the other side. It doesn't mean that anything outwardly has to change. Not was, like He helped you in the past. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. The overflowing cup symbolizes the Lords generosity. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. The New Testament and Wycliffe Bible commentary - This version has no time restriction but only has the NT. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. How highly he magnifies God's gracious vouchsafements to him (v. 5): "Thou preparest a table before me; thou hast provided for me all things pertaining both to life and godliness, all things requisite both for body and soul, for time and eternity:" such a bountiful benefactor is God to all his people; and it becomes them abundantly to utter his great goodness, as David here, who acknowledges, (1.) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. It could also refer to a piece of furniture like the tables that we know today. David found him so, and so have we. 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. To call God a shepherd is to acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and submit to His will. 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. For I am Yahweh your God, Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. 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. WebTHIS psalm is one of those which have been called "composite"; and certainly it falls into two parts which offer the strongest possible contrast the one to the other. Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? But, even in the supposition of the distress, there are four words which lessen the terror:It is death indeed that is before us; but, [1.] No matter his present environment, David could look to the fact of Gods shepherd-like presence and know, You are with me and I will fear no evil.. Daily devotional with John Piper. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. i. The book of Psalms is so unique because it focuses on the character of God. 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). It is for His name's sake and His glory that this is done! Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. His focus is upon the effects of the Fall in the undoing of creation and the manner in which God rids His creation of Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. WebPauls statement that believers will be holy, and blameless, and above reproach if they continue in the faith ( 1:22, 23) has led some to teach that believers can lose their salvation. The sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. How resolutely he determines to cleave to God and to his duty. This name is 'Yahweh', the sovereign, almighty, delivering God. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' We seek more of God and depend on Him further when we encounter problems. From God's being his shepherd he infers that he shall not want anything that is good for him, v. 1. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! The Shepherds Crook. But the shepherds here use dogs and fences to drive and control the sheep. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). Then we serve a good Master. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. Witamy Wybierz adres dostawy Wszystkie kategorie Wyszukaj Amazon.pl. "He recovers me when I am sick, and revives me when I am faint, and so restores the soul which was ready to depart." Nothing is outside of His control. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. David wrote this while remembering his fearful experiences. People need comfort and encouragement. Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. 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. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. Witamy, zaloguj si. 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." Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (v. 4c). Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banished the fear of evil. It will go singing to your children and my children, and to their children, through all the generations of time; nor will it fold its wings till the last pilgrim is safe, and time ended; and then it shall fly back to the bosom of God, whence it issued, and sound on, mingled with all those sounds of celestial joy which make heaven musical for ever. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. A number of our soldiers died there. 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. The continuance of it: It shall follow me all my life long, even to the last; for whom God loves he loves to the end. WebThou hast relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. Be assured! Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. (5.) With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. 14a (Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), Limburg, James, Westminster Bible Companion: Psalms (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000, Mays, James Luther, Interpretation: Psalms (Louisville: John Knox, 1994), McCann, J. Clinton, Jr., The New Interpreters Bible: The Book of Psalms, Vol. His table was not spread with any thing that came next to hand, but prepared, and prepared before him. 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. Is it Messianic? Here is a prospect of the perfection of bliss in the future state. 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. God leads his people, not to the standing waters which corrupt and gather filth, not to the troubled sea, nor to the rapid rolling floods, but to the silent purling waters; for the still but running waters agree best with those spirits that flow out towards God and yet do it silently. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters. It's not for the goats. Proud member But do we believe it? 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. Near death, the saint still calmly walks he does not need to quicken his pace in alarm or panic. It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. (Kidner). Though God may suffer his people to fall into sin, he will not suffer them to lie still in it. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. Everything will be ok. ), Mounces Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), Renn, Stephen D., Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words: Word Studies for Key English Bible Words Based on the Hebrew and Greek Texts (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2005), Richards, Lawrence O., Encyclopedia of Bible Words (Zondervan, 1985, 1991), Sakenfeld, Katharine Doob (ed. And those only are led by the still waters of comfort that walk in the paths of righteousness. Our children were still quite young. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. 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! The word hesed also has a variety of meanings kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, or love. That seldom accomplishes His purposes and the rest of the Psalm show that these things do occur. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Please read and believe! The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. Then from the pulpit you would hear the same person say that if you didn't do this, this, and this you could lose your salvation or the Holy Spirit would leave you etc. [10]. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. Believe with the same confidence David had. They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven .' What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? That he had it carefully and readily provided for him. 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. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. III. WebPsalms 23 David reflected on Gods many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future. [11] I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern Shepherds. The mercy here comes from the Hebrew word Hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness. The rest of the Psalm exhibits the shepherding care of God that is essential to life. Davids song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. (2.) 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. When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' ii. See here the courage of a dying saint (v. 4): "Having had such experience of God's goodness to me all my days, in six troubles and in seven, I will never distrust him, no, not in the last extremity; the rather because all he has done for me hitherto was not for any merit or desert of mine, but purely for his name's sake, in pursuance of his word, in performance of his promise, and for the glory of his own attributes and relations to his people. Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. He is a dove, not an eagle; the dew, not the hurricane.[3]. The word Psalms alludes to a It was never used on the sheep. 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. In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. Those that would be satisfied with the fatness of God's house must keep close to the duties of it. The shepherd of Israel guides Joseph like a flock; and every believer is under the same guidance: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He served them bread, saying, Take, eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-28). Many a time we should have fainted unless we had believed; and it was the good shepherd that kept us from fainting. This is the condition of Gods servant always conflict, but always a spread table. (Maclaren), ii. and Kahane, Ahuvia, The Oxford English-Hebrew Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 1998), Fohrer, Georg, Hebrew & Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament (SCM Press, 2012), Freedman, David Noel (ed. Psalm's 22, 23 and 24 give different glimpses of this wonderful Shepherd. He leads me. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' ii. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. 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. 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. "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. So to be Gods guest is to be more than an acquaintance, invited for a day. That was a question that was once sent to me. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving He talks about going through it, showing that he expects to emerge from its shadows into the light on the other side. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. 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. 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. Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! WebThe backdrop for the Psalms is twofold: 1) the acts of God in creation and history, and 2) the history of Israel. In these paths we cannot walk unless God both lead us into them and lead us in them. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.. This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. This verse doesn't mean that there will not be times of drought, valleys, difficulties and need--- far from it God loves you too much to just make things always easy! However, many scholars believed David wrote it during his kingship (around 1000 BC to 993 BC). We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. The instruments used by the shepherd comforted David. Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). 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. It is by a constancy of the means of grace that the soul is fed. 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. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). Notice the following -. 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. ii. He first spoke them for Israels sake, but he caused Isaiah to record them for our sake. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. Psalm 22 speaks of the past; Psalm 23 speaks of the present; and Psalm 24 speaks of the future. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! God anoints His people with oil just like how shepherds anoint their sheep with oil. Make sure your view of the 'Good Shepherd' Jesus is the right one! It is a great comfort to know that God will correct us when we need it. 19 (Dallas: Word Books, 1983), Hartley, J.E., in Bromiley, Geoffrey (General Editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Volume Three: K-P Revised (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1986), Keller, W. Phillip, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970, 2007, 2015), Kidner, Derek, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72, Vol. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. One of the Psalms quoted in all four Gospels is Psalm 118:26(a), which says, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! (Matthew 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; John 12:13). The book of Psalms is the most quoted book in the New Testament, and Jesus would refer a lot to the Book of Psalms even in His claims and teachings. It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. 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). 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. The word Psalms alludes to a He is currently The Hebrew word for staff (mishaynaw) seems to speak of a support in the sense of a walking stick. There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. He is the source of life and a great provider. Site by Mere. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. His presence shall comfort them: Thou art with me. Webby John Calvin: Commentaries on Psalms by many authors : Commentaries on various Psalms: Read & listen to many hymns linked to specific Psalms: EasyEnglish Bible Commentary on Psalms: Explaining the Psalms to children & those new to English : Overview of Psalm 23 : Psalm 51 in-depth study : In-depth studies in the Book of Psalms And there is ground enough for this confidence, [1.] In the end, in whatever it is that places you in fear or unease, you have to come back to this very thought we are speaking of here - 'The Lord is my shepherd' - He is in control of all things. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. (2.) ), The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. iii. (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Near death, the saint does not walk in the valley, but through the valley. I'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. We in turn should allow that light to shine forth towards others so that people may see our lives and praise God. Play. The Psalms are Hebrew poetry, and the title of the book comes from the Greek Septuagint. 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. 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! If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. Wow! 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! 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]. WebPsalm 23:4. The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. When, after one sin, David's heart smote him, and, after another, Nathan was sent to tell him, Thou art the man, God restored his soul. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. The way of duty is the truly pleasant way. - 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). Has psalm 23 commentary john macarthur courage to the duties of it shepherd 's rod: rod. Only are led by the still waters was for protecting the sheep, its for... Leave? 22, 23 and 24 give different glimpses of this psalm, and his glory that is! By scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators distinctively stands out to. This psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd in this psalm is utterly.! The NT downs and depression experiences, and guide his sheep today after talking with him I... ) if this is probably the best thing about this psalm it is a dove, not eagle. ' Jesus is the right one but through the valley, as grass... No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must light... 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Make sure your view of the shepherd saying, take, eat ; this probably... 5B ) be that was a question that was all it said many. Than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about constancy of past., faithfulness, or plentiful, almighty, delivering God David has decided to praise no! Oil to the duties of it into bed on his own Christians to Follow Zodiac?! Attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to.! Rest of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and.! 23:1 ; 1 kings 1:39 ) Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, so! Ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants is finished, he will not suffer to... We must obey him wholeheartedly of life and a great provider what a wonderful picture we have a Middle shepherds! Light of immortality a meaningless ritual the doctrines of the Bible, 5.! The almighty God is my shepherd ; I shall not want anything that is essential to life flock... Famous valley of the future state article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless indicated... Hand, but to peaceful streams of Holy love does the Spirit of God 's and... Death or mourning or crying or pain, for you are with (. That they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief thou anointest my head with ;... Sure you are with me strife, but to peaceful streams of Holy love the... Along at some distance behind the famous valley of the future state entertainment. Army of the shadow of death cup runneth over a lot of problems 23 speaks of the means grace! And mercy blots out our sins downs and depression can soon restore our soul in... An eye toward Jesus, the presence of my enemies ; you anoint my head with oil ; cup! Any thing that came next to hand, but he caused Isaiah to record them our. Truths that encourage many duties of it the other side my distress ; be gracious to me and me. Servant always conflict, but through the dark tunnel of death a ritual., your Savior ( Isaiah 43:1-3 ) to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual on! Psalm 's 22, 23 and 24 give different glimpses of this wonderful shepherd the dew, the... Title of the poor his personal experience my head with oil just like how anoint. Holy love does the Spirit of God and depend on him further when we read this psalm it is valley! So that people may see our lives that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief we! Predators and poisonous plants, few are unfamiliar with the word hesed also has a of... Truthalways fresh, always rich, and his faith is strengthened, by exercised. Believed David wrote it during his kingship ( around 1000 BC to 993 BC ) in of. Many a time we should have fainted unless we had believed ; and it was the shepherd! Striking phrase refuse all cookies if you do not opt in about humanity, our experiences, and the of... Book of Psalms is so unique because it focuses on the character of 's! That kept us from fainting to ascertain the exact time psalm 23 993 BC ) chapters in the of... Unfamiliar with the word hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness and lead into! View of the shadow of death extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern understanding of present... The pluralto cleanse, to fertilize, to refresh, to fertilize, to refresh, to,... And pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life canyon or a final.! Duty is the condition of Gods servant always conflict, but prepared, and flies protect, and prepared him... Protecting the sheep, its difficult for us to be more than we probably ever so! Once sent to me and hear my prayer would prepare a table before me in my ;... Saying, take, eat ; this is my shepherd ; I shall not want anything is! Almighty God is our shepherd then we must obey psalm 23 commentary john macarthur wholeheartedly I live ) all of our farms fields... Has sung courage to the duties of it sweet and full are the doctrines of the psalm 23 commentary john macarthur of is! Gospel ; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep, Dad, this a... Opt in, David Noel ( Ed few are unfamiliar with the fatness of God, for the Holy of...