psalm 23 commentary john macarthur psalm 23 commentary john macarthur

i. Though the majority of the occurrences of hesed are translated steadfast love, there are undeniable elements of mercy and kindness that underlie each of these occurrences (Renn, 633-634). However, he was confident that God is with him all the time. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.. Which is it? This gives us amazing confidence when we need it most. ii. How would you describe sheep? Giving without a Whisper by C. H. Spurgeon, Know, Known, Knowledge, Unknown - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, David Guzik :: Hechos 9 La Conversin de Saulo de Tarso, David Guzik :: Mateo 4 La Tentacin de Jess y Su Primer Ministerio en Galilea, David Guzik :: Hechos 2 El Espritu Santo Es Derramado Sobre la Iglesia, David Guzik :: Apocalipsis 20 Satans, el Pecado y la Muerte son Finalmente Eliminados, David Guzik :: 2 Timoteo 3 Los Tiempos Peligrosos y la Preciosa Verdad, David Guzik :: Apocalipsis 12 La Mujer, el Nio, y el Dragn, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus and the Holy Trinity (Walter Martin), Matthew 18-19 (1982-85 Audio) (Chuck Smith), Genesis 1:1-8 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), John 12 - Sir, We Would See Jesus (Chuck Missler), Genesis 2-3 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith). A great promise indeed! 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?' 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). 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. As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? And I used to always think 'Well! Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. [10] We have another source of confidence in our shepherd Jesus that even David didn't have when he wrote this psalm 3000 years ago. The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. Readers benefit from the coherence a single commentator provides, finding faithful, understandable, and . It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. 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? He is a great shepherd. "Staff," that on which one leans, emblem of Divine strength and . The New Testament All the days of my life; Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. In Psalm 22 He dies; in Psalm 23 He is living; in Psalm 24 He is coming. for his names sake (v. 3c). Historical Books The sheep may crack their skull just to ease the suffering to get rid of the brain-eating parasites. For other references to the shadow of death, see Jeremiah 2:6 and Job 10:21-22. It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! What is also interesting, even before we get into the actual verses, is that this Psalm is part two of what we could call a Messianic trilogy. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. 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. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. Sun Valley, CA 91352 David had extreme confidence in who God IS right now! The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. There is something about people who truly know their God. ii. 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. But the confidence David had is that the great shepherd will always know what we need and when to provide it. Wisdom Literature Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. I will fear no evil. Thank God for such times! Not was, like He helped you in the past. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. Luke-Acts The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. David wrote this while remembering his fearful experiences. But, what makes it so compelling? and flame will not scorch you. Date: 1/31/2021. 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. PSALM 23:1-4. There is no fear of biting the bare ground where the grass is long enough for the flock to lie down in it. Later, rabbis often designated it "The Book of Praises." . Please visit: https://www.bestbiblecommentaries.comPlease visit: www.bestbiblecommentaries.comBrowse John MacArthur's bible commentaries on Amazon:https://am. Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. 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. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, My. He does not say, The Lord is the shepherd of the world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as his flock, but The Lord is my shepherd; if he be a Shepherd to no one else, he is a Shepherd to me; he cares for me, watches over me, and preserves me. The words are in the present tense. 'Is something bad going to happen to me?' It is a great comfort to know that God will correct us when we need it. Beloved, I will ask you now a question. (Kidner). Amazon, in the last couple of weeks (Nov 2014) released the most highlighted passages in their most popular books downloaded onto Kindle, their electronic book reader. This is the joy of the Christian! Ok, I'm being naughty. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. [7] This was brought home to me this week in an email from a Kenyan Pastor. Jesus honors us by inviting us to his table, saying, This is my body that is for you. One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. Founded in 1969, Grace to You is the nonprofit organization responsible for developing, producing, and distributing Johns books, audio resources, and the Grace to You radio and television programs. God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. Entdecke The Macarthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur (2005, Hardcover) in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. Lord's Day Services. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! (1.) General Epistles Psalm 22 speaks of the past; Psalm 23 speaks of the present; and Psalm 24 speaks of the future. Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). 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. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. i. To be invited to the Kings table was a great honor. John MacArthur (b. These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). 'Was it just a silly dream or something more spiritual?' He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. But it is still the path that leads to righteousness. The comforts of a living saint. You anoint my head with oil; We lie on our beds yet carry on the same thoughts inside. He will never, ever, leave you! What is characteristic of them? 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. April 17, 2011. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Text: Psalm 23 Ministry: Anchored. 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. Enemies may surround David but he is saying that the provision and grace of God gives him such confidence that in a time when he should be fearful and anxious (like while in the very presence of his enemies), he is still able to sit, relax and eat! Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself. i. Was it where you thought you would go? It could also refer to a piece of furniture like the tables that we know today. Are any of us low in grace? He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. These instruments (or instrument) of guidance were a comfort to David. But he also knew something else. In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning. Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. When we get tired we take a rest. Comfort -- for your rod and Thy staff comfort me. They would travel from oasis to oasis. Maybe this verse should have read 'though I close my eyes and sprint through the valley of the shadow of death' This verse speaks to us of the trying times in our lives where there is darkness, confusion and fear. 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! (Philip Keller). God is. Here the second allegory begins. 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. d. For You are with me: This emphasizes that it is the presence of the shepherd that eliminated the fear of evil for the sheep. In fact, he thought quite highly of it, as is evident by this especially generous compliment: Of this delightful song it may be affirmed that its piety and its poetry are equal, its sweetness and its spirituality are unsurpassed. Spurgeon once referred to Psalm 23 as the Pearl of the Psalms in his monthly magazine, The Sword and the Trowel. "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. I live in New Zealand, and yes, I know, we have more sheep than people! I. The mercy here comes from the Hebrew word Hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness. So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. 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. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. (Proverbs 10:3). Nothing is hurried, there is no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace. (Spurgeon). Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.. 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. They also keep a vigilant and watchful eye out for poisonous plants and wild animals. In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. Sep 8, 1980. Gods shepherding care from the previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. Site by Mere. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. Now this place of rest is, first and foremost spiritually speaking, right in the midst of the problem. For I am Yahweh your God, So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. Many people were praying for me. [6]. 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. - 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). They know that through all things, Jesus is a good 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. John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, president of The Master's University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. He is that interested in each of His sheep! Major Prophets Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. Johannine Writings No matter his present environment, David could look to the fact of Gods shepherd-like presence and know, You are with me and I will fear no evil.. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. I need to know you are well.' i. If you are truly one of His sheep (evidenced by hearing his voice and following His ways) then this verse is your verse as well! (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. The Analogy of God and the Shepherd in Psalm 23, The Lord As A Shepherd Who Provides (Verse 1), The Lord As A Shepherd Who Guides (Verses 2-3), The Protection And Comfort From Gods Presence (Verse 4), The Blessings of God Amidst Danger (Verse 5), Faith-Filled Content Delivered To Your Inbox, Best NASB Study Bibles Ranked & Reviewed, The Best Bible for Young Adults: Buyers Guide. How much would you have had in your cup? (Spurgeon), ii. 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.. Our children were still quite young. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. There are few experiences in life that would be more satisfying. May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! With this verse, he begins to use the second person (you and your). He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. Nor have I ever heard an audible voice that was clearly God's telling me which decisions to make. The Gospels We may request cookies to be set on your device. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. [3], The LORD - The first thing to note is the source of David's comfort. Priests were anointed (Exodus 40:13-15). A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. Verses 1-6. He is the shepherd that provides and His people will lack no good thing. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. Prophets Wow! Obviously it means that with the Lord protecting and providing for us then we shall not lack that which He knows we need. This is the condition of Gods servant always conflict, but always a spread table. (Maclaren), ii. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. God longs to bless and prosper His people. 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. John MacArthur. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. On other days, she was on the other side. and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of theLordforever. Basically fear tactics. Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. The Old Testament But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. Pentateuch '. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. It is for His name's sake and His glory that this is done! David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. John MacArthur brings you a complete Bible commentary in one volume. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. To be invited to a persons table was an honor. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New . Major Prophets It's not somewhere that you set up camp thinking that is all you will ever know. It doesn't mean that anything outwardly has to change. Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). But we need to learn to lie down. Location. They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren. I have called you by your name. David found him so, and so have we. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! In my experience I have never seen a visible manifestation of God going before me at a fork in the road. Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible . Pentateuch 1 Samuel 17:35), and the latter for control since discipline is security., iii. In these verses, the metaphor changes from God as shepherd to God as host at a special banquet. 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. They will not lie down when there is conflict among the sheep. General Epistles The instruments used by the shepherd comforted David. Poetical Books With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. Cookie Notice: They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. The promises are for those who have been born again not those who simply like the sound of it for a funeral! 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. It has not made the dying Christian slave freer than his masterNor is its work done. The Hebrew word for rod (shaybet) here seems to simply mean a stick with a variety of applications. Is it Messianic? However, the sheep do not easily lie down. This table represents all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. David envisioned God as a benevolent host who prepared a grand banquet. He leads me. Topical Series; DVD Series; Bible Series; Flash Drives; Bundles . So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. Minor Prophets Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. But how does God do this? These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. If there is a ditch, they will fall in and need to be rescued. Every Christian is a priest, but he cannot execute the priestly office without unction, and hence we must go day by day to God the Holy Ghost, that we may have our heads anointed with oil. Excellent for: personal and family devotions pastoral study preparing Sunday-school lessons using with a small group simply readingeach volume draws you in a. . There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. 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. However, the oil does not just protect the sheep from nuisance. This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4a). God is holy, and takes his holy name seriously: Since God is holy, we as Gods people need to insure that we do not tarnish his name by our wrongful words or actions. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. What great confidence! It isnt his destination or dwelling place. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). It is a psalm which has been sung by good Christians, and will be while the world stands, with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. This is a psalm of trust and confidence in God's goodness in the present and in the future. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). 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.