4 Ways the Parable of the Sower Encourages Spiritual Growth. For a shepherd, the healing purpose would be significant. 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. Psalm 22 Part 2 - It is finished, He has done it! The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. 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. And David knew that this would carry on all the days of his life. 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. 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! [6] As a silly example, a few weeks back I got an email from a past work colleague that I hadn't heard from for some time. God longs to bless and prosper His people. Ethan Collins November 17, 2020, Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. These instruments (or instrument) of guidance were a comfort to David. He had known feast. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. A great promise indeed! This table represents all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. WebIs an okay to good Bible commentary but sometimes John MacArthur explains some things which seems to be that he has never studied the topic of the verse and Thats why Psalm 23 is crucially relevant even today. Why should it be dreadful when there is nothing in it hurtful? The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. [2.] Let us not, therefore, be afraid. God wasnt just a shepherd to others in a theoretical sense, but He was Davids shepherd. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. 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. King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. He has been the pastor of Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Sun Valley, California since February 9, 1969. I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh, says the Lord Yahweh, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes (Ezekiel 36:22-23). That is what God desires to work into your life. Brief but well done notes 1,275 ratings The green pastures and waters spoken of in this verse were often some distance apart and the shepherd would have to lead his flock to these places. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. But it is still the path that leads to righteousness. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. 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. Thankfully I didn't go far down that track but it can plant this little seed of fear in your mind if you let it. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching grief's, of orphans in their loneliness. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. However, many scholars believed David wrote it during his kingship (around 1000 BC to 993 BC). 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. Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me. Which is it? 3 He Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word | . 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! 1. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. On still other days, she found herself walking through the middle of the valley. Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. he leads me to waters where I can rest: this was the best water. In the Bible, anointing was used to designate a person for a significant role. This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. They counsel, Seek Yahweh while he may be found (55:6). God ultimately protects and provides for His flock and does everything in His power to care for them. That he had not only for necessity, but for ornament and delight: Thou anointest my head with oil. The certainty of it: Surely it shall. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. That he was not stinted, was not straitened, but had abundance: "My cup runs over, enough for myself and my friends too." It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. To be invited to Gods table is the ultimate honor. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. They are well placed, well laid: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. [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. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Psalm 2 Bible Study The Current Rebellion & The Coming King, Psalm 8 Bible Study The wonder of God and the second man, Psalm 16 Part 1: Testing's in the journey through life and death, Psalm 16 Part 2 - Hope in the journey through life and death, Psalm 22 Part 1 - Prophecy of the crucifixion and the wrath of man. So many people place their trust and hope is all sorts of things. Together with goodness it suggests the steady kindness and support that one can count on in the family or between firm friends. (Kidner), ii. Everything will be ok. ii. In these paths we cannot walk unless God both lead us into them and lead us in them. Notice the following -. 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. David envisioned God as a benevolent host who prepared a grand banquet. Konto i listy Zwroty i zamwienia. Its also of paramount importance to recognize that the shepherd in this psalm connotes more than someone who merely herds the flock. 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. David knew all about this. Jesus told the Samaritan woman, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water (John 4:10). He is currently (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. The Hebrew word rewayah suggests abundanceeven superabundance. [3.] So I started checking myself - heart was still pumping, ears were attached, nose still worked, yes, everything seemed to be in order. 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 These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. 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. And there is ground enough for this confidence, [1.] David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. Obviously it means that with the Lord protecting and providing for us then we shall not lack that which He knows we need. David wrote Psalm 23 based on his experiences with God. Anyway, we might have been being a tad naughty but the principle can be quite helpful and this is what I will do with this first verse. Even conservative Christian pastor John MacArthur acknowledges that Psalm 23 uses common ancient Near Eastern images. As the shepherd led the sheep from oasis to oasis, this sometimes meant passing through narrow valleys that had steep cliff faces on each side. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. WebPSALM 23:1-4. It is the valley of the shadow, deep indeed, and dark, and dirty; but the valleys are fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people. i. Do you? As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. John MacArthur. On some days, she was on one side of the valley. 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. Companionship -- for you are with me. Believe with the same confidence David had. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). Imminent danger supposed: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, that is, though I am in peril of death, though in the midst of dangers, deep as a valley, dark as a shadow, and dreadful as death itself," or rather, "though I am under the arrests of death, have received the sentence of death within myself, and have all the reason in the world to look upon myself as a dying man, yet I am easy." But mostly, they were comforting because they were in the hands of a caring shepherd. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. You will have much more pressing concerns. The mercy here comes from the Hebrew word Hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness. We lie on our beds yet carry on the same thoughts inside. It is great advice but more than likely it is the most highlighted passage because people are in desperate need to remember it! Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. (2.) It is but a walk in this valley, a gentle pleasant walk. Plentiful provision is made for their bodies, for their souls, for the life that now is and for that which is to come. [2.] David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. It could also refer to a piece of furniture like the tables that we know today. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. Basically fear tactics. Its evident in this verse how David recognizes Gods lordship over his life. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! (Philip Keller). 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. 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. Gods shepherding care from the previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. To call God a shepherd is to acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and submit to His will. He is their shepherd, and they may call him so. to it. It is a valley of the shadow of death, facing what seemed to David as the ultimate defeat and evil. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. 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. So here is a man who has had to depend upon His Shepherd and is finding Him faithful even in trying times. (6.) It has not made the dying Christian slave freer than his masterNor is its work done. 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." If Providence do not bestow upon us thus plentifully for our natural life, it is our own fault if it be not made up to us in spiritual blessings. He had known famine. The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. They probably are anxious about different things. 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. My cup runs over. 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]. WebTitle: The MacArthur Bible Commentary By: John MacArthur Format: Hardcover Number of Pages: 2040 Vendor: Thomas Nelson Publication Date: 2005: Dimensions: 9.75 X 6.75 Scripture: If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. Przejd do gwnej treci.pl. of And, then, it is not the valley of death, but the valley of the shadow of death, for death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. This unspeakably delightful verse has been sung on many a dying bed, and has helped to make the dark valley bright times out of mind. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. 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