psalm 23 commentary john macarthur

- 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). Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. A poor man may say this as well as those in higher circumstances, What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?[6]. 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.. We may request cookies to be set on your device. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. 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. Now I want to break this first verse up into each little section so that we can get a better grasp as to what David was saying. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? Pentateuch John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. You anoint my head with oil. 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! Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. But the shepherds here use dogs and fences to drive and control the sheep. 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. The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. 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. David had it right in placing his trust in the one true God who controls all things. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. Jesus took this name for Himself when He said 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!' Verses 1-6. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Play. It doesn't mean that anything outwardly has to change. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. 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. They probably are anxious about different things. Someone said they are the most stupid animal on the face of the earth. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. What humanity needs now is the restoration of hope and joy. The intimate portrayal of God as a shepherd is what makes Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable. 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. 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. There was no fear involved. But he also knew something else. John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, president of The Masters University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. Psalm 23 is a song of gratitude that tells Davids relationship with God as his shepherd. i. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). He had known famine. 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. John MacArthur, Pastor-Teacher. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. If we could be saved from wrath, and yet remain unregenerate, impenitent sinners, we should not be saved as we desire, for we mainly and chiefly pant to be saved from sin and led in the way of holiness.[4]. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Again, there is comfort in the fact that God directs us and even discipline from the Lord (pulling us back into line!) Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him His present care and provision for His people There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' Together with goodness it suggests the steady kindness and support that one can count on in the family or between firm friends. (Kidner), ii. (Philip Keller). i. It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. Davids song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. I'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. Significantly, it is at the dangerous moment pictured in the psalm that the He of Psalm 23:1-3 changes to You. The LORD as Shepherd is now in the second person. They are well placed, well laid: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! i. David knew all about this. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible . It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. 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. Psalm 23 - Sermon On the Lord is My Shepherd - Study and Obey Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (v. 4c). Ok, I'm being naughty. The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. Pastor John MacArthur. The promises are for those who have been born again not those who simply like the sound of it for a funeral! Notice the following -. 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! God shines His light into our lives. Psalm 22 speaks of the past; Psalm 23 speaks of the present; and Psalm 24 speaks of the future. Now mine was a recent silly example. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. 'My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. Are any of us low in grace? Sure enough, someone guessed pretty quickly that it would be Psalm 23. [10]. There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning. For a shepherd, the healing purpose would be significant. Pauline Epistles General Epistles You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! And finally we have the small matter of that which occurs after 'the days of my life'. Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. Minor Prophets Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a Prophets There you have it. There are few experiences in life that would be more satisfying. Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Everyone loves this Psalm. The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. 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. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. How would you describe sheep? He will not, and cannot forsake you if you are one of His sheep! It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. So many people place their trust and hope is all sorts of things. [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. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. Most scholars account this Psalm to Davids maturity that contains vivid reminiscence of his youth as a shepherd. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. He wants to genuinely bless His people and live in the abundance of His grace. In fact, he thought quite highly of it, as is evident by this especially generous compliment: Of this delightful song it may be affirmed that its piety and its poetry are equal, its sweetness and its spirituality are unsurpassed. Spurgeon once referred to Psalm 23 as the Pearl of the Psalms in his monthly magazine, The Sword and the Trowel. The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. Poetical Books ii. He has also served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! Not was, like He helped you in the past. His past death for His people 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). The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point It becomes more personal in this valley! Whatever be the believers position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah. . Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! You anoint my head with oil; This is a psalm of trust and confidence in God's goodness in the present and in the future. Sep 8, 1980. We seek more of God and depend on Him further when we encounter problems. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. 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). Minor Prophets John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible Why the double standard of confusing messages? 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. The image exudes a sense of rest, comfort, and care. 'You are with me' the Psalmist says and that is all that he needs to know. He would tend, protect and care for his sheep. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, My. He does not say, The Lord is the shepherd of the world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as his flock, but The Lord is my shepherd; if he be a Shepherd to no one else, he is a Shepherd to me; he cares for me, watches over me, and preserves me. The words are in the present tense. b. Daily devotional with John Piper. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. 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. Comfort -- for your rod and Thy staff comfort me. In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. (Jer 23:1-4, Ezek 34:1-10) Work to be a faithful shepherd realising that it is God's own sheep that He has placed in your care. 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. Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. He lived in the confident hope that it would continue for the rest of his life. Abraham's Bosom, Paradise, and Heaven 1. and flame will not scorch you. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. The rest of the Psalm exhibits the shepherding care of God that is essential to life. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. If there is a ditch, they will fall in and need to be rescued. Pauline Epistles Johannine Writings It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.

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