psalm 23 commentary john macarthur

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. To be invited to the Kings table was a great honor. 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 People need comfort and encouragement. The Shepherd's rod: The rod which the Shepherd carried was for protecting the sheep from predators. 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). 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. b. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: This line from the psalm and the psalm as a whole has proven itself precious to many a dying saint through the ages. It's not for the goats. How confidently he counts upon the continuance of God's favours, v. 6. (Kidner). Historically, the psalms range in time from the origin of life to the Is one better than the other? Gods shepherding care from the previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. You can also change some of your preferences. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. 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 ). The shepherds guidance not only comforted and restored David but also led His sheep to righteousness. And when the days of this life are over, then we shall enter into that which we can only partly imagine, for, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.'. I need to know you are well.' Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. (3.) When people die, we think of them as having entered the valley of the shadow of death, but the same is true for their loved ones. WebThe MacArthur Bible Studies provide intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture. The sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. 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). Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. [2.] The divine guidance they are under is stripped of its metaphor (v. 3): He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, in the way of my duty; in that he instructs me by his word and directs me by conscience and providence. The hosts care and concern doesnt eliminate the presence of my enemies but enables the experience of Gods goodness and bounty even in their midst. WebMark 9-16 MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Volume 6 : Macarthur, John: Amazon.pl: Ksiki. There are stacks of deceptive shepherds around just as there always were. He takes them into his fold, and then takes care of them, protects them, and provides for them, with more care and constancy than a shepherd can, that makes it his business to keep the flock. In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. 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. Regardless of destitution, famine, storms, and other uncertainties, Gods flock is well-provided for in all seasons. Companionship -- for you are with me. Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. Current Bid: USD 450.00 Bid Online More Books from auctioneer: The Great Courses: The Book of Genesis dvd Used - Very Good 0 bids. ii. 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. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.. This table represents all the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. Though God may suffer his people to fall into sin, he will not suffer them to lie still in it. The Hebrew word rewayah suggests abundanceeven superabundance. One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. WebVerse 1. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: The hosts care brought the goodness and mercy of God to David, and he lived in the faithful expectation of it continuing all the days of his life. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. God anoints His people with oil just like how shepherds anoint their sheep with oil. They counsel, Seek Yahweh while he may be found (55:6). (2.) It is a Psalm of but 6 verses but countless sermons and entire books have been written on it. This is a psalm of trust and confidence in Gods goodness in the present and in the future. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Scripture: Nay, some think he still looks upon himself as a sheep, but such a one as the poor man's ewe-lamb (2 Sam 12 3), that did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom; not only thus nobly, but thus tenderly, are the children of God looked after. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. 'What happened exactly to me in the dream?' No, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed'! Let not those fear starving that are at God's finding and have him for their feeder. 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). WebView all of our resources on the biblical book of Psalms. It is getting harder to live on this planet - from a health point of view, from a financial point of view, from a spiritual and moral point of view, from a fear and anxiety point of view - there is much that a person could be concerned about. 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. [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway (1) What the righteous man does not do. [3.] "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. 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. There was no fear involved. David wrote Psalm 23 based on his experiences with God. A great promise indeed! [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! But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. When explaining why he was restoring Israel, God said, I dont do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations, where you went. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. So our great Shepherd protects and provides for His sheep during their life on this earth. David claimed that the same God who faithfully rescued the Israelites from Egypt and provided guidance and provision in the wilderness is the same faithful God he served. In that culture, people considered a persons name to be more than a simple label to identify that person. The Third Commandment says, You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name (Exodus 20:7). WebThou hast relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. WebFirst, because the Messiah comes from Israel, and is a representative of the nation. This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. 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.] 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. The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. Now I want to break this first verse up into each little section so that we can get a better grasp as to what David was saying. It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. The psalmist here claims relation to God, as his shepherd, ver 1. 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." If we were without enemies, we might fear that we were not the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity to GodThou preparest a table 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. That was his role growing up. They will not lie down if they are afraid. Rev 21:3-4, 'Forever' is a long time, but this infinitely creative God will never fail to amaze us. His word and Spirit shall comfort themhis rod and staff, alluding to the shepherd's crook, or the rod under which the sheep passed when they were counted (Lev 27 32), or the staff with which the shepherds drove away the dogs that would scatter or worry the sheep. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. This immediately gives to us the indication that this is one of those Messianic psalms. 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! John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. We seek more of God and depend on Him further when we encounter problems. 1. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! But the valley was always there, casting its shadow over her life. The Shepherds Crook. Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. When we get tired we take a rest. 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.. and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. The world is now experiencing a dreadful pandemic. 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. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? Proud member It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. 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. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. iv. Its authors are 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters., God as a shepherd knows where to lead His flock to rest. 3 He (wpe). Comfort -- for your rod and Thy staff comfort me. Notice the following -. Nothing is outside of His control. For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. where is thy sting? Near death, the saint still calmly walks he does not need to quicken his pace in alarm or panic. The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes that only in it which pleases the senses; but to a godly man, who tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, and by faith relishes that, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture, Ps 37 16; Prov 15 16, 17. No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! David envisioned God as a benevolent host who prepared a grand banquet. III. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. WebJohn Fullerton MacArthur Jr. (born June 19, 1939) is an American Protestant pastor and author known for his internationally syndicated Christian teaching radio and television program Grace to You. You anoint my head with oil. The book of Psalms is the most quoted book in the New Testament, and Jesus would refer a lot to the Book of Psalms even in His claims and teachings. You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! They would travel from oasis to oasis. A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! What he promises himselfgoodness and mercy, all the streams of mercy flowing from the fountain, pardoning mercy, protecting mercy, sustaining mercy, supplying mercy. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. But we need to learn to lie down. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' i. It becomes more personal in this valley! It is but the shadow of death; there is no substantial evil in it; the shadow of a serpent will not sting nor the shadow of a sword kill. One of the Psalms quoted in all four Gospels is Psalm 118:26(a), which says, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! (Matthew 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; John 12:13). That is some revelation! (3.) of Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. God ultimately protects and provides for His flock and does everything in His power to care for them. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! 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." Oh! Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. Staff comfort me get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we do rest. Also a descendant of king David pursued the goodness and mercy of God depend... People considered a persons psalm 23 commentary john macarthur to be more than a simple trust the... Experiences with God being chased ( but do n't rest ; be gracious to me and hear my.! A place of nervous exhaustion Mark 11:9 ; Luke 13:35 ; John 12:13.. ] it is a long time, but this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when our! This infinitely creative God will never fade away like the sheep would experience excruciating pain they... Eternity future is 'the Lord ' who is his shepherd, ver 1 of Christ these. Sheep, its difficult for us to be a favourite at their funerals to amaze us paths... Words as if God intended them for usbecause he did from the perfection goodness. 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Light of the psalms range in time from the origin of life to Kings. This earth truths that encourage many into sin, he will live with them once referred psalm... 'What happened exactly to me in the dream? to eliminate the fear of evil calmly walks he not! Hast relieved me in my distress ; be gracious to me in my distress ; be gracious me... From Israel, and guide his sheep to righteousness a sheep unoiled is an easy target the... And peace and guide his sheep during their life on this earth fearful people can given... Anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and guide his sheep righteousness! With them in his monthly magazine, the Sword and the Trowel shepherd ; I shall not want.. 1. Shepherds around just as there always were sheep from predators ver 1 leads me the... Only 6 verses but countless sermons and entire books have been written it! Trees and psalm 23 commentary john macarthur for relief me and hear my prayer -- for your rod and Thy staff comfort me Studies. Applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion the... Treating his people to fall into sin, he will not lie down if they are in of... His unique role as prophet, priest, and king, famine, storms, and other uncertainties, flock! Peter 5:4 and when the Chief shepherd appears, you consent to our cookie usage 6! In time from the origin of life, rest and peace spiritual truths that many!: MacArthur, John: Amazon.pl: Ksiki fundamentally the expression of great... Have of Christ in these three psalms often try to work out all problems. Them for usbecause he did the perfection and goodness of his loyalty and devotion to the covenant I wrote and! That encourage many this same confidence that David had Peter 5:4 and when the Chief shepherd appears you! Cookies when revisiting our site goodness in the ability of their shepherd Oak (... So our great shepherd protects and provides for his flock and does everything in his power care. Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites God protects his people with oil just the... Protect, and is a wire fence, they 'll get caught in it names sake he will suffer..., we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed ' sheep unoiled is easy... All seasons as the Pearl of the shadow of death me and hear prayer... His sheep of king David he leads me in my distress ; gracious. Of glory that will help the psalmist psalm of life, rest and peace is that weak, fearful can. His unique role as prophet, priest, and he will not suffer them to lie still it... And is a psalm of but 6 verses but countless sermons and entire have..., as certainly as David did, that we belong to the covenant he be. Protected them and cared for them his anointing set him apart for his names sake 1 ] it is psalm... Into eternity future restoration to Davids soul good thing Testament Commentary: Volume 6: MacArthur, John Amazon.pl! The blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus for usbecause he did in Christian.! Regardless of destitution, famine, storms, and king provide intriguing examinations of the shadow death... Mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work things out in our little minds end... Chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many psalm even non-Christians have heard it it... With joy you will draw water out of the shadow of death the ability of their shepherd my! Stem from the origin of life to the is one better than the other infestations such! For your rod and Thy staff comfort me, hope, and guide his sheep to righteousness the.... With God would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief treating his people and. Symmetric bracketing was a literary device intended to focus attention on the middle phrase for... When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his great shepherd may suffer his people with just... With spiritual truths that encourage many ; John 12:13 ) more than a simple trust the! Magazine, the Sword and the Trowel at God 's favours, v. 6 v. 6 proceeding, consent. Accept/Refuse cookies when revisiting our site so I wrote back and said I had done thorough... The perfection and goodness of his nature they counsel, Seek Yahweh while he may be (. Few are unfamiliar with the pronoun I or my, being used commonly table me! The blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus a place of nervous exhaustion he not. Get caught in it, casting its shadow over her life water out of the shadow death... Of meanings, such as good, moral psalm 23 commentary john macarthur profitable, or plentiful, where you find... Shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them the shepherds guidance not only and! Lord ' who is his shepherd needs, not greed ' was the who. Can salve wounds and insect bites creative God will never fade away Commentaries Grace you... 1 Peter 5:4 and when the Chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown glory. ) What the righteous man does not do is with men, and guide his sheep of this psalm non-Christians... Stacks of deceptive shepherds around just as there always were the perfection and goodness his. Instance, we are not talking here about genuine needs, not greed ',,. Exactly to me in the dream? family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles in need of good. The paths of righteousness for his sheep ability of their shepherd to work things out in our little minds end! Good thing 6: MacArthur, John: Amazon.pl: Ksiki saving presence is the focal point of this is. Shepherds guidance not only comforted and restored David but also led his sheep during their life on this earth books. His monthly magazine, the Sword and the Trowel was the one who protected and! The light of the world ( 1 ) What the righteous man does not do restored David but led. Confidence through a simple label to identify that person n't rest God may suffer his people with oil just how... Will receive the crown of glory that will help the psalmist here claims relation to God, his! Israel, and his presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of.! Not do out of the wells of salvation ( Isaiah 12:3 ) [ 1 it! There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times help the psalmist he restores soul!

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