From God's being his shepherd he infers that he shall not want anything that is good for him, v. 1. They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. Those that would be satisfied with the fatness of God's house must keep close to the duties of it. 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 writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. 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]. The great care that God takes of believers. Those that feed on God's goodness must follow his direction; he leads them by his providence, by his word, by his Spirit, disposes of their affairs for the best, according to his counsel, disposes their affections and actions according to his command, directs their eye, their way, and their heart, into his love. 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. [13] And His goodness and kindness will always follow you. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. You can also change some of your preferences. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. How confidently he counts upon the continuance of God's favours, v. 6. Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. WebVerses 1-7. III. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. WebVerse six presents a key to understanding Psalm 1: For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.. With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. 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! He is in control. ), The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. What Are the Psalms? You are mine. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. They are well helped when any thing ails them: He restoreth my soul. [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. 'Blessed be the day on which that Psalm was born! The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. He is a great shepherd. Now mine was a recent silly example. WebThe Lord is my shepherd . But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. Davids song is portrayed in non-religious circles too, making appearances in many secular movies and other entertainment mediums. [6]. 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.] Everything will be ok. 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] . This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! 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. "He recovers me when I am sick, and revives me when I am faint, and so restores the soul which was ready to depart." Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. 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. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. The mercy here comes from the Hebrew word Hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness. Ouch. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. (3.) And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. Site by Mere. And I used to always think 'Well! To walk indicates the steady advance of a soul which knows its road, knows its end, resolves to follow the path, feels quite safe, and is therefore perfectly calm and composed Observe that it is not walking in the valley, but through the valley. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. 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. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. This immediately gives to us the indication that this is one of those Messianic psalms. Even conservative Christian pastor John MacArthur acknowledges that Psalm 23 uses common ancient Near Eastern images. 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. Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. He is the Shepherd that tends to His flock. He doesn't stop, and he doesn't give up hope. The consolations of God, the joys of the Holy Ghost, are these still waters, by which the saints are led, streams which flow from the fountain of living waters and make glad the city of our God. The LORD is Shepherds use the rod and staff to guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. WebPsalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Here is one word indeed which sounds terrible; it is death, which we must all count upon; there is no discharge in that war. MON 10/20/2014. Those that are sick, those that are old, have reason to look upon themselves as in the valley of the shadow of death. With family of say, a mother, a father, 3 or four children, and only one in the family working and bringing in 3 dollars (a day), it would takes ages before one can afford to buy anything extra, even clothes or even a blanket. Peace -- for He leads me beside the still waters. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. I. When a soldier is in the presence of his enemies, if he eats at all he snatches a hasty meal, and away he hastens to the fight. He talks about going through it, showing that he expects to emerge from its shadows into the light on the other side. 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. No creature will lose itself sooner than a sheep, so apt is it to go astray, and then so unapt to find the way back. 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. 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. This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. It is great advice but more than likely it is the most highlighted passage because people are in desperate need to remember it! The light shines the brightest in the dark. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. So many people place their trust and hope is all sorts of things. What would you say of a pilgrim commissioned of God to travel up and down the earth singing a strange melody, which, when one heard, caused him to forget whatever sorrow he had? A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. 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. (1.) Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. 'Is something bad going to happen to me?' Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. God ultimately protects and provides for His flock and does everything in His power to care for them. Koszyk Menu. Near death, the saint still calmly walks he does not need to quicken his pace in alarm or panic. ), 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. His word and Spirit shall comfort themhis rod and staff, alluding to the shepherd's crook, or the rod under which the sheep passed when they were counted (Lev 27 32), or the staff with which the shepherds drove away the dogs that would scatter or worry the sheep. We have the supports and comforts of this life from God's good hand, our daily bread from him as our Father. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. (4.) It is but a walk in this valley, a gentle pleasant walk. God is the one who looks after our lives. It is a walk through it; they shall not be lost in this valley, but get safely to the mountain of spices on the other side of it. [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! ), which the WEB has updated. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! 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. [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. Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. It is a great comfort to know that God will correct us when we need it. In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. Beloved, I will ask you now a question. Current Bid: USD 450.00 Bid Online More Books from auctioneer: The Great Courses: The Book of Genesis dvd Used - Very Good 0 bids. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. He had known famine. Gods presence removed the fear in David and comforted him. But we need to learn to lie down. See here. i. Together with goodness it suggests the steady kindness and support that one can count on in the family or between firm friends. (Kidner), ii. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. 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). We are saved by hope, and that hope will not make us ashamed, because it is well grounded. , or calamity destroy the city, I shall not bring me lack... 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