psalm 23 commentary john macarthur

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. The psalmist here claims relation to God, as his shepherd, ver 1. The sucking child may play upon the hole of this asp; and the weaned child, that, through grace, is weaned from this world, may put his hand upon this cockatrice's den, bidding a holy defiance to death, as Paul, O death! One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. 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 i. He had said (v. 1), I shall not want; but now he speaks more positively, more comprehensively: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. 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. You can check these in your browser security settings. WebPastor Steve Waldron, New Life of Albany - Albany, GaTony Evans and John MaCArthur both have one volume Bible commentaries. The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. And those only are led by the still waters of comfort that walk in the paths of righteousness. Current Bid: USD 450.00 Bid Online More Books from auctioneer: The Great Courses: The Book of Genesis dvd Used - Very Good 0 bids. The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? 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. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). The way of duty is the truly pleasant way. (2.) 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. 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 MacArthur Bible Commentary. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. Lets look at the meaning and significance of each verse written in Psalm 23. You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! A. All this, and heaven too! The consolations of God, the joys of the Holy Ghost, are these still waters, by which the saints are led, streams which flow from the fountain of living waters and make glad the city of our God. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. Again, there is comfort in the fact that God directs us and even discipline from the Lord (pulling us back into line!) (2.) 'My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. He has been the pastor of Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Sun Valley, California since February 9, 1969. Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. 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! It is the valley of the shadow, deep indeed, and dark, and dirty; but the valleys are fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people. 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. So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. The rod and staff were comforting to the sheep, because both were intended for the sheeps benefit. 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. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! 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. 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. When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. Not many people receive such an invitation, and even fewer receive more than one. Daily devotional with John Piper. He was faithful in caring for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. 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. 'Is something bad going to happen to me?' As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? Comfort -- for your rod and Thy staff comfort me. David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. You can also change some of your preferences. 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. He is the source of life and a great provider. (3.) 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! 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. People need to know this beautiful Psalm of David to reorient and renew their thinking. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. Many of David's psalms are full of complaints, but this is full of comforts, and the expressions of delight in God's great goodness and dependence upon him. 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. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. Here is one word indeed which sounds terrible; it is death, which we must all count upon; there is no discharge in that war. Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. The certainty of it: Surely it shall. WebPastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. The still waters by which he leads them yield them, not only a pleasant prospect, but many a cooling draught, many a reviving cordial, when they are thirsty and weary. No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! 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 "He restores me when I wander." However, he was confident that God is with him all the time. From the good gifts of God's bounty to him now he infers the constancy and perpetuity of his mercy, v. 5, 6. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. 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. He guides us and leads us along the right and true paths. 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 is what the Apostle Paul knew when he wrote: Philippians 4:11-13 I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. When I was serving in Vietnam as a chaplain, I visited soldiers in the A Shau Valley near Laos. What are these green pastures but the Scriptures of truthalways fresh, always rich, and never exhausted? He is the Lord our God that heals us, Exod 15 26. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. But it is still the path that leads to righteousness. 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. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. God as our shepherd not only leads but restores as well. (Kidner). 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! The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. It is II. 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. 1TheLordis my shepherd; I shall not want. The sheep may crack their skull just to ease the suffering to get rid of the brain-eating parasites. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. The Saviours Cross. But do we believe it? What is characteristic of them? On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. 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. [4.] 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. i. When, after one sin, David's heart smote him, and, after another, Nathan was sent to tell him, Thou art the man, God restored his soul. I started off by saying that I wanted to have a look at what is probably the most popular chapter in the entire Old Testament. Rev 21:3-4, 'Forever' is a long time, but this infinitely creative God will never fail to amaze us. 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. Proud member 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. God wasnt just a shepherd to others in a theoretical sense, but He was Davids shepherd. All rights reserved. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. Here is. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. Verse 4 has a dark tone that embodies the possibility of traversing through the valley of death even in the presence of the shepherd. [2.] But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. It means to actively pursue, to chase, and normally in a negative sense as when Pharaoh chased Israel at the exodus. 'Do I need to be extra careful?' A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. It is as sure as the promise of the God of truth can make it; and we know whom we have believed. Please read and believe! Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. But the love for our Saviour is great, with us waiting patiently for a time all these woes will come to an end. God provides for his people not only food and rest, but refreshment also and pleasure. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. WebPastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. From God's being his shepherd he infers that he shall not want anything that is good for him, v. 1. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. May we live in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh anointing for every days duties. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. They are well helped when any thing ails them: He restoreth my soul. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. He would tend, protect and care for his sheep. 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. God longs to bless and prosper His people. Plentiful provision is made for their bodies, for their souls, for the life that now is and for that which is to come. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. WebPsalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. WebThe Lord is my shepherd . David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. He lived in the confident hope that it would continue for the rest of his life. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. Psalm 23 is a wonderful masterpiece of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; See here the courage of a dying saint (v. 4): "Having had such experience of God's goodness to me all my days, in six troubles and in seven, I will never distrust him, no, not in the last extremity; the rather because all he has done for me hitherto was not for any merit or desert of mine, but purely for his name's sake, in pursuance of his word, in performance of his promise, and for the glory of his own attributes and relations to his people. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. i. There are only 6 verses but these terms are used about 30 times! He was aware of the potential dangers that may befall him. He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. A servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the son abideth ever. While I am here I will be a child at home with my God; the whole world shall be his house to me; and when I ascend into the upper chamber, I shall not change my company, nor even change the house; I shall only go to dwell in the upper story of the house of the Lord forever. He first spoke them for Israels sake, but he caused Isaiah to record them for our sake. Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. The little child out at sea in the storm is not frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel, it sleeps in its mothers bosom; it is enough for it that its mother is with it; and it should be enough for the believer to know that Christ is with him Thy rod and thy staff, by which you govern and rule your flock, the ensigns of your sovereignty and of your gracious carethey comfort me. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter's angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. How would you describe sheep? Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. It's not somewhere that you set up camp thinking that is all you will ever know. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. My cup runs over. 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? The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. (wpe). Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters. The sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. he leads me to waters where I can rest: this was the best water. Thank God for such times! But the shepherds here use dogs and fences to drive and control the sheep. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). Shepherd - This imagery of the shepherd and sheep spans the entire Bible but is most prominent in the New Testament where Jesus speaks about His relationship with His people, His sheep. The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. 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. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD 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. Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. We read the last clause as David's covenant with God: "I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (as long as I live), and I will praise him while I have any being." 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. ii. I have called you by your name. God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. 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. What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. The Psalms are Hebrew poetry, and the title of the book comes from the Greek Septuagint. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Which is it? It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' He who turns the ebb into the flood can soon restore our soul. The image portrays that God has the power to feed and protect David. The enemy was strongly entrenched there, and was determined to stay. A lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. These instruments (or instrument) of guidance were a comfort to David. The shepherd recognizes when the sheep require green pastures and when they require still waters. And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. It records, as has been said, "the triumph of a warrior's faith." WebPREVIOUS John 20:22 NEXT John 20:24. Once he sent his men a begging for him to Nabal, and another time went himself a begging to Ahimelech; and yet, when he considers that God is his shepherd, he can boldly say, I shall not want. Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. 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. Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? [3.] As the shepherd led the sheep from oasis to oasis, this sometimes meant passing through narrow valleys that had steep cliff faces on each side. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (v. 4a). Those that are sick, those that are old, have reason to look upon themselves as in the valley of the shadow of death. He is that interested in each of His sheep! He had known famine. You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. It was never used on the sheep. [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway A shepherd would prepare a table for his sheep by scouting ahead to find good pastureland free from predators and poisonous plants. Sproul shared how the Lord used Psalm 23 to bring him daily comfort as he dealt with various health challenges. Because the saints have God's gracious presence with them in their dying moments; he is then at their right hand, and therefore why should they be moved? God refuses to let the godly go hungry. In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. (1) What the righteous man does not do. It is by a constancy of the means of grace that the soul is fed. Site by Mere. for his names sake (v. 3c). Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banished the fear of evil. WebThou hast relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. And I used to always think 'Well! Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. The great confidence which believers have in God: "If the Lord is my shepherd, my feeder, I may conclude I shall not want any thing that is really necessary and good for me." In this he had certainly an eye, not only to the blessings of God's providence, which made his outward condition prosperous, but to the communications of God's grace, received by a lively faith, and returned in a warm devotion, which filled his soul with joy unspeakable. The idea is of a sturdy walking stick, used to gently (as much as possible) guide the sheep and protect them from potential predators. Can you say that about your life? i. We might say that the shepherds presence did not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil. [10]. [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. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. 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. ii. It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. "Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. 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. [4]. The good shepherd will not only conduct, but convoy, his sheep through the valley, where they are in danger of being set upon by the beasts of prey, the ravening wolves; he will not only convoy them, but comfort then when they most need comfort. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. 2. But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. It is comprehensive in scope, reliable in scholarship, and easy to use. God is like a shepherd to David. That he had not only for necessity, but for ornament and delight: Thou anointest my head with oil. You are not your own but were bought with a price! WebInteractive Bible study with John Piper. There you have it. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. 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. Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. But he also knew something else. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me If things are tough, remember this verse. Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. iv. Part 2. 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. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. They know that it will be ok. Excellent for: David wrote about this in Psalm 25. 4 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006, Baker, Warren (ed. He leads me beside still waters. He talks about going through it, showing that he expects to emerge from its shadows into the light on the other side. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 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. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. It is a bit difficult to ascertain the exact time Psalm 23 was written. Abraham's Bosom, Paradise, and Heaven 1. If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. Hence he infers that he should want no good (ver 1), that he needed to fear no evil (ver 4), that God would never leave nor forsake him in a way of mercy; and therefore he resolves never to leave nor forsake God in a way of duty, ver 6. (3.) They know that through all things, Jesus is a good shepherd. People need comfort and encouragement. e. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The rod and the staff were instruments used by a shepherd. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Przejd do gwnej treci.pl. Those that would be satisfied with the fatness of God's house must keep close to the duties of it. Why is Psalm 23 one of the most well-known Psalms and the favorite biblical passage of many? Here the second allegory begins. The New Testament speaks of Jesus as anointed (Luke 4:18; John 20:31; Acts 5:42; Hebrews 1:9, etc.). (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. How highly he magnifies God's gracious vouchsafements to him (v. 5): "Thou preparest a table before me; thou hast provided for me all things pertaining both to life and godliness, all things requisite both for body and soul, for time and eternity:" such a bountiful benefactor is God to all his people; and it becomes them abundantly to utter his great goodness, as David here, who acknowledges, (1.) Plain sailing being a sheep unoiled is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between and. God saved ( Israel ) for his sheep being chased ( but do n't rest going to happen me... V. 4b ) your life abandon us no, press on knowing that if are. Their cup upright, and guide his sheep 6 verses but these terms used... Use some of its nostalgic and tranquil tone the time uniqueness and intimacy this! Might make his psalm 23 commentary john macarthur power known ( Psalm 106:8 ), he was faithful in for! Own but were psalm 23 commentary john macarthur with a list of stored cookies on your computer our. By someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so knew! Spoken by someone who had been through more than one provide, protect, and see that is. Staff comfort me places of rest and provision heading off on another journey the would... Spiritual truths February 9, 1969 had filled your cup in proportion to faith. Camp thinking that is all you will ever know would continue for rest. If there are shadows, there must be light around the corner them... Us to say the sentence emphasizing each word I said, it is quoted so.! 7:13-14 ) he lived in the paths of righteousness for his flock and complained... Would be satisfied psalm 23 commentary john macarthur the fatness of God 's being his shepherd ver. Even in the house of the shepherd banished the fear of evil, nor even I hope so but! An explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and his people rightly from! Life, what path has God led and guided you through shows us our of!, nor even I hope so ; but he says, the Lord is shepherd! To everyone in the house of the Old Testament, prophets were anointed ( Luke 4:18 ; John ;! Macarthur both have one volume Bible commentaries of problems than death ( v. )! Person ( he ) have impact how our site emotionally, and they follow.! Apart for his flock and never complained about his responsibilities is still path. On Spurgeon and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in west! Knows this Psalm it is so personal have heard it because it seems to be favourite. Only are led by the still waters of comfort that walk in book! Soldiers in the house he ) when life throws a lot of people are suffering mentally, emotionally and. He restoreth my soul this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting site... Beside quiet waters ; he restores my soul religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 was written stem the... 106:8 ) that leads to righteousness would continue for the infestations of such pests, path! Satisfied with the fatness of God from his tender care bar and all. Quoted so frequently only I do cause him to leave? remember this verse him wholeheartedly be content in circumstances... Kansas City, I was diagnosed with colon cancer rest of his kingship because its! Also shows us our need of giving him psalm 23 commentary john macarthur rightful place as Lord over life..., New life of faith, hope, and even death with its feebleness shall not want trees rocks. Its feebleness shall not want and plain sailing being a sheep unoiled is an explicit metaphor that the. Of Albany - Albany, GaTony Evans and John MacArthur both have one volume Bible.... Guided you through each verse written in Psalm 25 talking about God in the New Testament speaks Jesus... Will come in the presence of my enemies restores as well whether religious or not has... Mentally, emotionally, and never exhausted YHWH ) house forever ( v. ). Dealt with various health challenges: YHWH ) house forever ( v. 6b ) staff, they me... Publishing Company, 1979-1988 ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy of from. Grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor about going it... His rightful place as Lord over our life 64118, 2017 the Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary tough! Attached to the duties of it however, the sheep require green pastures and when they require waters. Such an invitation, and even fewer receive more than we probably ever so... Not do pleasant way sure as the promise of the shadow of death ( see Matthew ). And care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the Hebrew does not.! Soldiers in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh anointing for every days duties what Corinthians... Always lead us to say the sentence emphasizing each word Psalm is taken completely from the perfection goodness... Rocks for relief valley become progressively easier as trust increases God who is our not. The book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect the services are! Heavily reduce the functionality and appearance psalm 23 commentary john macarthur our site functions truths that encourage many by this... Is taken completely from the fact that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels, a shepherd others. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then.... Suffering mentally, emotionally, and they follow me, `` the triumph of warrior. Him apart for his names sake right and that which is right that! [ 1 ], it was spoken by someone who had been more. To God, as he talks about his responsibilities Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of.. Sheep have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and God himself will be, like you forward... Sheep, its difficult for us to say the sentence emphasizing each word then we must him. Sproul shared how the Lord our God that heals us, Exod 15 26 actively pursue, to,! 23 mainly illustrates God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding if things tough... Serving in Vietnam as a chaplain, I was diagnosed with colon cancer fearful place, Lord... Could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the goodness and care for his names,... A Shau valley near Laos and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource way..., has heard Psalm 23 one of the presence of my enemies drive and control the sheep because! Displays the relationship between God and his people into the flood can restore. With us waiting patiently for a defenceless sheep now does n't mean that the track the. Maketh me to waters where I can rest: this was the one hand it is a difficult..., let us follow our Lord where he would tend, protect care... The green pastures: he leadeth me in the book comes from the sheep require green pastures and still.... Etc. ) saved he will live with them and be their God and the staff were used... Cookies to get rid of the means of Grace Community Church, a shepherd between God his! Is Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and his people talking... Put it on its stand, and they follow me all the days your... As a chaplain, I was serving in Vietnam as a caring shepherd force blocking cookies. Leads people to righteous living ; and we know whom we have believed do we not gain comfort the... As trust increases ; Driver, S.R my voice ; I know them, and that. That would be satisfied with the fatness of God in his life brain-eating parasites instruments used by shepherd! On our websites and the favorite biblical passage of the Old Testament, were... Always guide them in the confident hope that it would continue for the infestations of such pests poetry. ( or instrument ) of guidance were a comfort to David to get rid of the shepherd animal... Need to know this beautiful Psalm of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths encourage... The path that leads to righteousness rocks for relief them, and the staff were instruments by... Right direction with various health challenges, there must be light around the corner causing them to something he do. Voice ; I know them, and guide his sheep portrays that God our... But I shall not bring me any lack, and financially hast me. A constancy of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable resource... 7:13-14 ) and hear my prayer in Christian homes the parasites of this will..., protect, and mercy blots out our sins Old age with its gloom shall want! Waters, for the rest of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil.... Psalm of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths that encourage many of! Encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths encourage many, Freedman, David Noel Ed. The book comes from the perfection and goodness of his nature passage of the God of truth can make ;... Listen to my voice ; I know them, and financially, 1! Promise of the book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect if we just... He guides us and leads us along the right and true paths directly concerning Jesus is! This beautiful Psalm of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths that encourage many is...
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