'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual?' But there is a greater provision and far greater blessing still to come. Part 1. His presence shall comfort them: Thou art with me. Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. The word Psalms alludes to a Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ; they tremble at it no more than sheep do that are appointed for the slaughter. Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. It isnt his destination or dwelling place. Let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us lie down in them, abide in them; this is my rest for ever. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). The word hesed also has a variety of meanings kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, or love. 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. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. Note, A child of God may meet the messengers of death, and receive its summons with a holy security and serenity of mind. WebPsalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. 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). People need comfort and encouragement. For I am Yahweh your God, They know that it will be ok. Here the second allegory begins. Near death, the saint does not walk in the valley, but through the valley. (6.) The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). Plentiful provision is made for their bodies, for their souls, for the life that now is and for that which is to come. This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. God shines His light into our lives. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. He is the Lord our God that heals us, Exod 15 26. He is the source of life and a great provider. The psalmist here claims relation to God, as his shepherd, ver 1. 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. ii. 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. Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. "He recovers me when I am sick, and revives me when I am faint, and so restores the soul which was ready to depart." All this, and heaven too! You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! Jesus honored his disciples by inviting them to a table where he served them bread, saying, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:15-16). (Kidner). Here we may observe. They know that through all things, Jesus is a good shepherd. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! WebThou hast relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death Through a dark and dismal valley, full of terrors and dangers, as this phrase signifies, Job 24:17; Psalm What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? Pray to him, then, for the blessingRestore thou me, thou Shepherd of my soul!, Some Christians overlook the blessing of sanctification, and yet to a thoroughly renewed heart this is one of the sweetest gifts of the covenant. These twin guardian angels will always be with me at my back and my beck. It is the work of righteousness that is peace. 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. [12] Must admit that I have been dealing with a few trials lately and when I read this verse it kind of caught me by surprise! Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? And I will dwell in the house of the LORDforever: The psalm ends with the calmest assurance that he would enjoy the presence of the LORD forever both in his days on this earth and beyond. [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. - 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). 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. I have called you by your name. I will fear no evil. Someone said they are the most stupid animal on the face of the earth. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. The Hebrew word for staff (mishaynaw) seems to speak of a support in the sense of a walking stick. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. There is something about people who truly know their God. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD 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." 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. God longs to bless and prosper His people. And I used to always think 'Well! Psalm 23 symbolizes the human race as a flock and God as their Shepherd. 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! (2.) There was no fear involved. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. They are well helped when any thing ails them: He restoreth my soul. The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. The Defender's Study Bible : King James Version by Morris, Henry M. Excellent notes for well known creationist. ), which the WEB has updated. From the good gifts of God's bounty to him now he infers the constancy and perpetuity of his mercy, v. 5, 6. God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. And there is ground enough for this confidence, [1.] 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 23 is a wonderful masterpiece of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths. Note the pronoun change in this verse. You anoint my head with oil. Other than the president and family, only a handful of people have been invited to make the White House their homeand then only for a few years. Notice how in times of trials, we become more aware of Gods presence. Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. God refuses to let the godly go hungry. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. Abraham's Bosom, Paradise, and Heaven 1. 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. My cup runs over. He remembered what need they had of a shepherd, and what a kindness it was to them to have one that was skilful and faithful; he once ventured his life to rescue a lamb. WebMark 9-16 MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Volume 6 : Macarthur, John: Amazon.pl: Ksiki. Make sure your view of the 'Good Shepherd' Jesus is the right one! WebPastor Steve Waldron, New Life of Albany - Albany, GaTony Evans and John MaCArthur both have one volume Bible commentaries. David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. God as our shepherd not only leads but restores as well. That is what God desires to work into your life. III. "He restores me when I wander." [4]. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. If David penned this psalm before his coming to the crown, though destined to it, he had as much reason to fear wanting as any man. It was never used on the sheep. The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! That he was not stinted, was not straitened, but had abundance: "My cup runs over, enough for myself and my friends too." Psalms 110:1-7 : The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool ( Psalms 110:1 ). He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. There you have it. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. Here is one word indeed which sounds terrible; it is death, which we must all count upon; there is no discharge in that war. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Sproul shared how the Lord used Psalm 23 to bring him daily comfort as he dealt with various health challenges. daq) is life lived in accord with ethical principleslife lived in accord with Gods law and Gods will. 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