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. 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. So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. 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 He lived in the confident hope that it would continue for the rest of his life. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? (2.) There you have it. Play. 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." 4 Yea, 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. 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. Is - Can you say that? The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. They would travel from oasis to oasis. Many a time we should have fainted unless we had believed; and it was the good shepherd that kept us from fainting. The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. It is by a constancy of the means of grace that the soul is fed. And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. God Leads You are not your own but were bought with a price! 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 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. David wrote Psalm 23 based on his experiences with God. The Hebrew word for staff (mishaynaw) seems to speak of a support in the sense of a walking stick. A magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host; who has not only the bounty to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security. (Clarke). Part 2. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. [1] As I mentioned, this is one famous Psalm. (Whew!) It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! III. He is that interested in each of His sheep! In terms of how it is loved, look at how one old theologian from the 1800's spoke of it. We in turn should allow that light to shine forth towards others so that people may see our lives and praise God. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Basically fear tactics. His table was not spread with any thing that came next to hand, but prepared, and prepared before him. 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.. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. 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 overflowing cup symbolizes the Lords generosity. 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. Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. Death is not the house but the porch, not the goal but the passage to it Many a saint has reaped more joy and knowledge when he came to die than he ever knew while he lived. Maclaren writes: The rod and the staff seem to be two names for one instrument, which was used both to beat off predatory animals and to direct the sheep.. Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 3,580+ | 2 min. You prepare a table before me: Without departing from the previous picture of the valley of the shadow of death, David envisioned the provision and goodness given by the LORD as a host, inviting David to a rich table prepared for him. The sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. You prepare a table (Hebrew: sulhan) before me in the presence of my enemies (v. 5a). 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. But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. (2.) ), 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. Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. the peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances! Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. "He recovers me when I am sick, and revives me when I am faint, and so restores the soul which was ready to depart." The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. But it is there that you learn that though you may not be able to see the shepherd as well as normal, He can see you and is still protecting you! i. There are few experiences in life that would be more satisfying. What is characteristic of them? What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). Or a psalm concerning the Messiah that has its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. 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. WebPSALM 23:1-4. This is the joy of the Christian! No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! He talks about going through it, showing that he expects to emerge from its shadows into the light on the other side. It means to actively pursue, to chase, and normally in a negative sense as when Pharaoh chased Israel at the exodus. He would not be like his Lord if he had not. Those that would be satisfied with the fatness of God's house must keep close to the duties of it. In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. WebIt [ Psalm 23] has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Web29 MacArthur Bible New Testament Commentary - Almost Complete Set + Handbook + 1 Sold by brianmash | Ends on 2023-02-28 23:45:20 . I will believe that thou reignest still. Sproul shared how the Lord used Psalm 23 to bring him daily comfort as he dealt with various health challenges. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). The Kings crown, Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? Make sure your view of the 'Good Shepherd' Jesus is the right one! Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. In the Bible, anointing was used to designate a person for a significant role. The sheep may crack their skull just to ease the suffering to get rid of the brain-eating parasites. The Hebrew word rewayah suggests abundanceeven superabundance. 2. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. The Psalms are Hebrew poetry, and the title of the book comes from the Greek Septuagint. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. But the shepherds here use dogs and fences to drive and control the sheep. Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. I live in New Zealand, and yes, I know, we have more sheep than people! (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. I. God (through the prophet Jeremiah) said, For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and cut them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13). Someone said they are the most stupid animal on the face of the earth. What great confidence! ( Psalms 27:1-6) is altogether joyous and jubilant. Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place. It is a great comfort to know that God will correct us when we need it. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; To experience the care and guidance of God as a shepherd, we must identify ourselves as His sheep. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. The intimate portrayal of God as a shepherd is what makes Psalm 23 unique and unforgettable. Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. [6]. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. 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 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. And he awaits the day when the great shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in the skies. But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway The first time through the dark valley is always scary. Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. He was aware of the potential dangers that may befall him. 1. It is great advice but more than likely it is the most highlighted passage because people are in desperate need to remember it! Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. The word Psalms alludes to a (1 Pet 5:1-4, Acts Anderson, A.A., The New Century Bible Commentary: Psalms 1-72 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972), Broyles, Craig C., New International Biblical Commentary: Psalms (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999, Brueggemann, Walter, The Message of the Psalms A Theological Commentary (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1984), Clifford, Richard J., Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), Craigie, Peter C., Word Biblical Commentary, Psalms 1-50, Vol. A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. He guides us and leads us along the right and true paths. Blessed is the man. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. 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