God is the one who looks after our lives. On some days, she was on one side of the valley. It is true that in extreme cases the shepherd would break the leg of the lamb. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). 'What happened exactly to me in the dream?' This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. His hope rises, and his faith is strengthened, by being exercised. What He is leading, guiding and teaching us is firstly about the inward change to the circumstance even if outwardly things remain the same. But that is not how it is in the dry arid lands of the Middle East and we need to read this Psalm with that mindset. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. See here, 1. Salem Media Group. Well, having said that I should say that you will be free from fear to the degree that you know He is with you - rain, hail and shine. The gospel is called the rod of Christ's strength (Ps 110 2), and there is enough in that to comfort the saints when they come to die, and underneath them are the everlasting arms. WebThe Lord is my shepherd . (1.) WebThe MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. 'Do I need to be extra careful?' He is. He wants to genuinely bless His people and live in the abundance of His grace. The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. 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 Nothing is outside of His control. Grab your Bible and read this Psalm noting down the times 'I, my, me, he, his, you' etc are used. The shepherd of Israel guides Joseph like a flock; and every believer is under the same guidance: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 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.] A sheep is an object of property, not a wild animal; its owner sets great store by it, and frequently it is bought with a great price. This immediately gives to us the indication that this is one of those Messianic psalms. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. The shepherd certainly did not remove the presence of evil but removed the fear of evil. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. So he calls Psalm 23 commentary is a holy piece of work that exudes different kinds of emotions. [2.] ), which the WEB has updated. 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. John MacArthur: Worship is our innermost being responding with praise for all that God is, through our attitudes, actions, thoughts, and words, based on the truth of God as He has revealed Himself ( The Ultimate Priority [Moody Press], p. 127). When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. There was no fear involved. 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! The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). How confidently he counts upon the continuance of God's favours, v. 6. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). We might say that the shepherds presence did not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil. [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's ordinances are the green pastures in which food is provided for all believers; the word of life is the nourishment of the new man. That symmetric bracketing was a literary device intended to focus attention on the middle phrase, for you are with me. Gods saving presence is the focal point of this psalm. If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. For other references to the shadow of death, see Jeremiah 2:6 and Job 10:21-22. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. (3.) In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. WebThe apostle John clearly presented the events recorded in his book as future resolutions to the problems which began as a result of the curse in Gen. 3. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. (Heb 5:12-14) [8]. Note the pronoun change in this verse. WebPsalm 23. ii. The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. He is currently Gods presence removed the fear in David and comforted him. WebThe MacArthur Bible Studies provide intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture. It implies that the Lord is the only thing needed in life and that Gods shepherding care provides all of our necessities. (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. 1 Samuel 17:35), and the latter for control since discipline is security., iii. They know that through all things, Jesus is a good shepherd. (2.) The manner of the conveyance of it: It shall follow me, as the water out of the rock followed the camp of Israel through the wilderness; it shall follow into all places and all conditions, shall be always ready. Do this in remembrance of me. Paul affirms the importance of this table ministry when he says, For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:24, 26). III. It will go singing to your children and my children, and to their children, through all the generations of time; nor will it fold its wings till the last pilgrim is safe, and time ended; and then it shall fly back to the bosom of God, whence it issued, and sound on, mingled with all those sounds of celestial joy which make heaven musical for ever. He is a great shepherd. They counsel, Seek Yahweh while he may be found (55:6). He is the Lord our God that heals us, Exod 15 26. He lived in the confident hope that it would continue for the rest of his life. 1. WebLiberated for Life : Galatians - a Bible Commentary for Laymen by John F. MacArthur and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. 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. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Samuel anointed him king, which was a certain pledge of further favor; but this is rather an instance of the plenty with which God had blessed him, or an allusion to the extraordinary entertainment of special friends, whose heads they anointed with oil, Luke 7 46. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. But, what makes it so compelling? 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. Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. He is currently The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. ( Psalms 27:7-14) is sad and plaintive. [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. 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! 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. It becomes more personal in this valley! (General Editor), New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vol., (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. The Hebrew word rewayah suggests abundanceeven superabundance. The word my cup runs over indicates that David not only had the necessities but also enjoyed abundance. Companionship -- for you are with me. You can also change some of your preferences. God will authorize him to apply Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. 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 That he had food convenient, a table spread, a cup filled, meat for his hunger, drink for his thirst. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). [11] I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern Shepherds. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. Like the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, David might say that all of life is lived under the shadow of death, and it is the conscious presence of the LORD as shepherd that makes it bearable. ii. 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. Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banished the fear of evil. Why the double standard of confusing messages? They will lead us to places of rest and provision. His past death for His people "He restores me when I wander." To be invited to the Kings table was a great honor. 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. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. 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. [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. WebThe King James Version Bible Commentary is a complete verse-by-verse commentary. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. Though God may suffer his people to fall into sin, he will not suffer them to lie still in it. "Even in the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. But, it does entitle David to experience Gods provision and providence in their midst. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. This name is 'Yahweh', the sovereign, almighty, delivering God. He that is the shepherd of Israel, of the whole church in general (Ps 80 1), is the shepherd of every particular believer; the meanest is not below his cognizance, Isa 40 11. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.. You may be in a dark place but you must keep walking. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. ( Psalms 27:1-6) is altogether joyous and jubilant. One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place. Our God does not withhold anything good from His flock. 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). Can you say that about your life? But despite this I got on with her pretty well. Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. I shall not want can translate to I have no lack. 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. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. 1. Konto i listy Zwroty i zamwienia. Basically fear tactics. He is the Shepherd that tends to His flock. We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? He has been the pastor of Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Sun Valley, California since February 9, 1969. 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). Instead of speaking about his Shepherd, David speaks to Him. To be invited to a persons table was an honor. That name therefore shall still be my strong tower, and shall assure me that he who has led me, and fed me, all my life long, will not leave me at last." In these paths we cannot walk unless God both lead us into them and lead us in them. Not many people receive such an invitation, and even fewer receive more than one. The word hesed also has a variety of meanings kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, or love. Sure enough, someone guessed pretty quickly that it would be Psalm 23. 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. He is utterly trustworthy. Arno C Gaebelin said (with some small modifications): A good way to read this Psalm is by asking the question, 'What shall I not want?' Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual?' 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. They are dumb, dirty, defenceless and dependant. 2. What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! 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. Theses are the paths in which all the saints desire to be led and kept, and never to turn aside out of them. He experiences the benefit of God's presence with him and care of him now, and therefore expects the benefit of them when he most needs it. He would not be like his Lord if he had not. Notably, David recognized that under the shepherds leading, he may walk through the valley of the shadow of death. But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him. The New Testament and Wycliffe Bible commentary - This version has no time restriction but only has the NT. On the middle phrase, for the old order of things has passed away.,... These twin angels behind work things out in our place would otherwise prey on the middle phrase, the! Old order of things has passed away. thing about this Psalm, obviously all... 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