psalm 23 commentary john macarthur psalm 23 commentary john macarthur

Pentateuch 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. a. Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. But the love for our Saviour is great, with us waiting patiently for a time all these woes will come to an end. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. Pastor John MacArthur. Instead of speaking about his Shepherd, David speaks to Him. He is the source of life and a great provider. It is expressed in this verse - Rom Beloved, I will ask you now a question. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. 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. Everything will be ok. [3], The LORD - The first thing to note is the source of David's comfort. He is not just a 'good shepherd'. And we know the Jesus Himself took upon this title of 'the good Shepherd'. 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. In this context, it suggests blessings that will help the psalmist. The Shepherd's staff: The staff was used by the Shepherd to direct the sheep in the way in which they should go, and, in the case of a wandering nosey sheep, to pull it back into line [11] . We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. There you have it. May we live in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh anointing for every days duties. I have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because The Lord is my shepherd. The wicked always want, but the righteous never; a sinners heart is far from satisfaction, but a gracious spirit dwells in a palace of content.[2]. Ok, I'm being naughty. for his names sake (v. 3c). It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! Luke-Acts With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). I have called you by your name. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. You may be in a dark place but you must keep walking. You will have much more pressing concerns. The wonder of wonders is that through the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives we can actually go through these times without fear! 3 He restores my soul. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. 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! 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. For them, it truly was the valley of the shadow of death. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. Here the second allegory begins. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. April 17, 2011. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. Together with goodness it suggests the steady kindness and support that one can count on in the family or between firm friends. (Kidner), ii. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. Gods presence removed the fear in David and comforted him. He got us to say the sentence emphasizing each word. Major Prophets The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. Johannine Writings He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. But he would then carry that lamb while its leg mended and apparently, once healed, that lamb would never wander off from the shepherd again. 'Do I need to be extra careful?' 'You are with me' the Psalmist says and that is all that he needs to know. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. and flame will not scorch you. Major Prophets We in turn should allow that light to shine forth towards others so that people may see our lives and praise God. [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. John MacArthur: The Lord Is My Salvation 92,638 views Jun 16, 2017 1.3K Dislike Share Save Ligonier Ministries 448K subscribers "The Lord is my light and my salvation" (Ps. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. [11] I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern Shepherds. In light of all these truths, we must respond promptly. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point What He is leading, guiding and teaching us is firstly about the inward change to the circumstance even if outwardly things remain the same. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. Prophets Nor is he saying that 'the LORD is my Shepherd, I get everything I want'. So our great Shepherd protects and provides for His sheep during their life on this earth. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. 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 book of Psalms is so unique because it focuses on the character of God. That is some revelation! We are smart enough to do this in the physical. In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:16). The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. Historical Books To be invited to the Kings table was a great honor. The image exudes a sense of rest, comfort, and care. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. i. Are any of us low in grace? Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. The sheep would experience excruciating pain that they would bash their heads against trees and rocks for relief. 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 for ever. (Spurgeon), (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. Report an Issue Sermon Correction/Question . I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh, says the Lord Yahweh, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes (Ezekiel 36:22-23). What humanity needs now is the restoration of hope and joy. The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. Like the Greek word agape (love) in the New Testament, hesed (lovingkindness) involves actionkindness or love expressed through kind or loving actions rather than just feelings. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. David could say God is my shepherd because of his personal experience. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. He was the son of Jesse and a direct descendant of Abraham. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? 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. Poetical Books Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Learn More | Livestream | Bulletin Servicios en espaol. [8] If you are someone that God has placed in a position of leadership or teaching then you should also remember that you are called shepherds and are called to feed the flock of God. That was a question that was once sent to me. His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. I have a lady at my work who, after saying something that she felt may tempt fate, said 'touch wood'. He has also served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, (Hebrew/Greek Search by English Definition), * 'Number Delimiters' only apply to 'Paragraph Order', Search verses, phrases, and topics (e.g. Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. David reflected on God's many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future. Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. 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?' In Psalm 23, God has answered this prayer God has led him in paths of righteousness. 4 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006, Baker, Warren (ed. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. They will not lie down when there is conflict among the sheep. It has not made the dying Christian slave freer than his masterNor is its work done. They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. ii. It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New . God is the one who looks after our lives. It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. You are not your own but were bought with a price! And let's not forget they are prone to wander. Now mine was a recent silly example. The emphasis of his pulpit ministry is the careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, with special attention devoted to the historical and grammatical background behind each passage. John Piper Sep 8, 1980 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. Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. But there is a greater provision and far greater blessing still to come. You can find a family who have brought up children to being young adults and have never owned a bed. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). They will lead us to places of rest and provision. The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006-2009), VanGemeren, Willem A. As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. 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. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. (1 Pet 5:1-4, Acts Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . Because the sheep have this tendency to wander and get lost, a shepherd must always guide them in the right direction. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.. It is a Psalm of life, rest and peace. The shepherd certainly did not remove the presence of evil but removed the fear of evil. So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. When I was serving in Vietnam as a chaplain, I visited soldiers in the A Shau Valley near Laos. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. You are mine. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. You prepare a table before me: Without departing from the previous picture of the valley of the shadow of death, David envisioned the provision and goodness given by the LORD as a host, inviting David to a rich table prepared for him. Title: 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 X 2.75 (inches) Weight: 3 pounds 11 ounces ISBN: 0785250662 ISBN-13: 9780785250661 Stock No: WW250662 Related Products The Jesus You Can't Ignore: Study $7.49 $9.99 Save 25% Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. ; and Briggs, Charles A., The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1906, 2004), Doniach, N.S. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. I remember a woman who grieved every year on anniversary of the death of her infant child. Not will be, like you look forward to something He will do but IS - present tense. They are dumb, dirty, defenceless and dependant. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. 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. The analogy of a king as a shepherd is common in ancient times and is not unusual. (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 Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). 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. (12) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Pauline Epistles It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. See the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. God does not eliminate the risks and hazards but will illuminate His presence. Gods shepherding care from the previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. He who turns the ebb into the flood can soon restore our soul. Still, David has decided to praise God no matter what happens. The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. 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. A sheep unoiled is an easy target for the infestations of such pests. b. 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. Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. 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. Behold just such a one! That's the animal God choose which best represents you! 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. The mercy here comes from the Hebrew word Hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness. How would it be with you if God had filled your cup in proportion to your faith? In my experience I have never seen a visible manifestation of God going before me at a fork in the road. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. And I used to always think 'Well! of Scripture. Psalm 23 brings encouragement and a great reminder that God is our shepherd and He will never abandon us. In terms of how it is loved, look at how one old theologian from the 1800's spoke of it. Liberated 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. 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. However, he was confident that God is with him all the time. Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. ), The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. However, the sheep do not easily lie down. Historical Books It wasn't a nice dream at all '. Historical Books This psalm is so personal, with the pronoun I or My, being used commonly. He wants to genuinely bless His people and live in the abundance of His grace. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point [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. When I asked the oncologist how serious it was, he said, Stage threemaybe Stage three and a half. My chances of survival were less than 50-50. 20:28 ) If this is you, then please don't starve God's flock and please don't feed them rubbish. [1] As I mentioned, this is one famous Psalm. 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. The psalmist has been talking about God in the third person (he). Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? It offers a broad overview of each Bible book and the internal consistency that results from having a single commentator. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. My cup runs over. 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. This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. If there was such a thing as animal school, they would be dropouts. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. Luke-Acts They will not lie down if they are afraid. 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. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. Davids former occupation was a humble shepherd. For other references to the shadow of death, see Jeremiah 2:6 and Job 10:21-22. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. 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. Psalm 23 Bible Study - Jesus our Great Shepherd! Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. The New Testament The Hebrew word rewayah suggests abundanceeven superabundance. Though not often recited in its entirety, few are unfamiliar with the famous valley of the shadow of death.. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed The Saviours Cross. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. General Epistles I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; no one can snatch them out of my hand. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). 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.. It works. But we have the testimony from the Shepherd also how he loved the sheep and would never let them go! In the end, in whatever it is that places you in fear or unease, you have to come back to this very thought we are speaking of here - 'The Lord is my shepherd' - He is in control of all things. b. He served them bread, saying, Take, eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-28). But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Why the double standard of confusing messages? With this verse, he begins to use the second person (you and your). We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! The center point of this psalm is for you are with me. In the original Hebrew language, there are 26 words before this phrase, and 26 afterwards (Limburg, 74).