psalm 23 commentary john macarthur
The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Psalm 2 Bible Study The Current Rebellion & The Coming King, Psalm 8 Bible Study The wonder of God and the second man, Psalm 16 Part 1: Testing's in the journey through life and death, Psalm 16 Part 2 - Hope in the journey through life and death, Psalm 22 Part 1 - Prophecy of the crucifixion and the wrath of man. Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). Basically fear tactics. A number of our soldiers died there. The Saviours Cross. It would stick right by the Shepherd's side! The anointed writer of Psalm 23 was King David. But how does God do this? Those that have this happiness must carry their cup upright, and see that it overflows into their poor brethrens emptier vessels. (Trapp). 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. I have a lady at my work who, after saying something that she felt may tempt fate, said 'touch wood'. What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! PDF Psalm 23 - Verse 5 By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. And one day He will come in the clouds and troubles of this world will be over. 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. However, Gods care for David doesnt remove the presence of his adversaries. Jesus took this name for Himself when He said 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!' The Middle Eastern shepherds in Israel didn't drive their sheep their sheep followed them. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. They are quiet waters times when there are no waves and no troubles and you can feed and are restored. There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. No robber, predator or enemy ever takes Him by surprise! General Epistles Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy 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. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. It is a bit difficult to ascertain the exact time Psalm 23 was written. [5], We need to remind ourselves of this all the time. The Gospels Mercy is the covenant-word rendered steadfast love elsewhere. We must surrender our desires and follow where He leads no matter the cost. John is also president and featured teacher with Grace to You. The comforts of a living saint. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. So to be Gods guest is to be more than an acquaintance, invited for a day. [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! He is a great shepherd. The writer of Psalm 23 makes an analogy between God and the shepherd. 1.Jehovah is my shepherd. a. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. Thats why Psalm 23 is crucially relevant even today. 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. General Epistles 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. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. . What He is leading, guiding and teaching us is firstly about the inward change to the circumstance even if outwardly things remain the same. Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.. [9] These are the paths we should desire and actively seek. 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. Likewise, we also need God to guide us to the right places and opportunities. Behold just such a one! This word follow in the Hebrew does not just mean tag along at some distance behind. Rev 21:3-4, 'Forever' is a long time, but this infinitely creative God will never fail to amaze us. Please read and believe! Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. They are well placed, well laid: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He is that interested in each of His sheep! Fortunately, I had insurance that would allow my family to weather the storm financially. The New Testament 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. ), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, 6 vol. May God grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed Psalm! Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banished the fear of evil. Psalms for the Anxious - Grace To You So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. 'What happened exactly to me in the dream?' As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? He is no longer speaking about God, but is instead speaking to God. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. 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. Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. [4] I read in a John Hunter book that as well as being able to say 'The Lord is my shepherd' we should be able to say 'The shepherd is my Lord.' The shepherd certainly did not remove the presence of evil but removed the fear of evil. Pastor John MacArthur. Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Wisdom Literature ), Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. But, it does entitle David to experience Gods provision and providence in their midst. [7] Do you have this same confidence that David had? Poetical Books He lived in the confident hope that it would continue for the rest of his life. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. [5] We need to make sure that we have a Middle Eastern understanding of the Shepherd. i. King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. Significantly, it is at the dangerous moment pictured in the psalm that the He of Psalm 23:1-3 changes to You. The LORD as Shepherd is now in the second person. [13] And His goodness and kindness will always follow you. When flies or parasites annoy them, its hard for them to be at rest. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. I. Poetical Books So though 3000 years old it is extremely relevant for our lives today! When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. There are no halfway measures when it comes to the Lords provision for our lives. Countless experts also argued that David wrote it during the later years of his kingship because of its nostalgic and tranquil tone. God is the one who looks after our lives. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. They would travel from oasis to oasis. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. And finally we have the small matter of that which occurs after 'the days of my life'. Is it a terrible thing that even though God is sovereign and controls the entire universe, we don't want to let go of the reigns! It is expressed in this verse - Rom and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. The concept dates back to the Book of Genesis when Jacob referred to the LORD as the Shepherd and the Rock of Israel (Genesis 49:24). He guides us and leads us along the right and true paths. The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. It wasn't a nice dream at all '. Sure enough, someone guessed pretty quickly that it would be Psalm 23. Gods presence removed the fear in David and comforted him. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of theLordforever. How much would you have had in your cup? (Spurgeon), ii. 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. The MacArthur Bible Commentary treats every passage of the Old and New Testaments phrase by phrase, with hundreds of word studies and sidebars throughout. i. Ethan Collins November 17, 2020, Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. (Proverbs 10:3). Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? Yea, though I walk, as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. 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.. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. It was spoken by someone who had been through more than we probably ever will so he knew what he was talking about! Forever. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. He does not say there shall not be any evil; he had got beyond even that high assurance, and knew that Jesus had put all evil away; but I will fear no evil; not even the Evil One himself; I will not dread the last enemy, I will look upon him as a conquered foe, an enemy to be destroyed, For thou art with me. The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. 3,580+ | 2 min. Share. '. Wisdom Literature He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. So I started checking myself - heart was still pumping, ears were attached, nose still worked, yes, everything seemed to be in order. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. I'll close with this for is gives a great summary of the wonderful provision of God as outlined in this Psalm. But there is a greater provision and far greater blessing still to come. Major Prophets Commentary on Psalm 23 - Working Preacher from Luther Seminary Johannine Writings If we could be saved from wrath, and yet remain unregenerate, impenitent sinners, we should not be saved as we desire, for we mainly and chiefly pant to be saved from sin and led in the way of holiness.[4]. The mercy here comes from the Hebrew word Hesed which depicts Gods covenant faithfulness. How would you describe sheep? Learn More | Livestream | Bulletin Servicios en espaol. What a wonderful picture we have of Christ in these three psalms! Text: Psalm 23 Ministry: Anchored. Pentateuch Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. Obviously it means that with the Lord protecting and providing for us then we shall not lack that which He knows we need. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. The MacArthur Bible Commentary | Logos Bible Software In verse 1, David expresses his thoughts about God. All of John's 3,000 sermons, spanning more than four decades of ministry, are available for free on the Grace to You website. Psalm 23 Commentary - Sermon Writer His Spirit attends us in various operations, like watersin the pluralto cleanse, to refresh, to fertilize, to cherish. Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? When things were hard for Joe Christian you would hear the pastor encourage him saying 'Jesus will never leave or forsake you - take heart!' 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). (1.) Wisdom Literature It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Can you say that about your life? Like the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, David might say that all of life is lived under the shadow of death, and it is the conscious presence of the LORD as shepherd that makes it bearable. Jesus told the Samaritan woman, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water (John 4:10). He leads me. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. God's eternal desire is that He would have many sons and daughters who display His glory and light within them. 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. Scripture: Psalm 23. This line is especially suggestive when we read this psalm with an eye toward Jesus, the Great Shepherd. However, the oil does not just protect the sheep from nuisance. You are not your own but were bought with a price! 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. We are so invited and not just occasionally but foreverthe honor that exceeds all other honors. 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. The Hebrew word rewayah suggests abundanceeven superabundance. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. 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. 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. 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. And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. With no one to turn to, we develop true and steadfast love and trust in the Lord. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. He talks about going through it, showing that he expects to emerge from its shadows into the light on the other side. Minor Prophets In Psalms 23:3, Psalms 23:4 the spiritual meaning shines through the figure, as in Psalms 23:5, Psalms 23:6 it is laid aside altogether; yet still the psalmist speaks of the "rod and staff." "Rod," the shepherd's crook, the received emblem of authority, guidance, and discipline. Under Johns leadership, Grace Community Church's two morning worship services fill the 3,500-seat auditorium to capacity. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I will fear no evil, for you are with me (v. 4b). God anoints His people with oil just like how shepherds anoint their sheep with oil. I have called you by your name. You can also change some of your preferences. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. Minor Prophets In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. That was a question that was once sent to me. Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. Provision -- for Thou prepare a table before me. If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! God saved (Israel) for his names sake, that he might make his mighty power known (Psalm 106:8). That is some revelation! Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.. Anyway, we might have been being a tad naughty but the principle can be quite helpful and this is what I will do with this first verse. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. 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. Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. But he also knew, through many highs and lows, throughout his life, that he too was but a sheep with a far greater Shepherd. The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. Psalm 23 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible Do you? The MacArthur Bible Commentary - John F. MacArthur - Google Books The good man has his enemies. i. We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point With family of say, a mother, a father, 3 or four children, and only one in the family working and bringing in 3 dollars (a day), it would takes ages before one can afford to buy anything extra, even clothes or even a blanket. These twin guardian angels will always be with me at my back and my beck. Sounds like a nice place to be for a defenceless sheep now doesn't it? You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! 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% Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself. [3]I learnt this when I went to a John Macarthur seminar one time. 1TheLordis my shepherd; I shall not want. The Experiencing God Study Bible : the Bible for knowing and doing the will of God - Blackaby, Henry (1996) 1968 pages - CHECK THIS ONE! The MacArthur Bible Commentary. We might say that the shepherds presence did not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. Included in the "better" provisions are: a better hope . When faced with destitution, famine, pressures, financial difficulty, and depression, its hard to remain calm and tranquil. But, what makes it so compelling? Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. Psalm 23 | Anchored | Grace Community Church - gracechurch.org Pauline Epistles Ok, I'm being naughty. Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me. Oh! In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Psalm 23:4 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Jesus honors us by inviting us to his table, saying, This is my body that is for you. Bible Introductions - Psalms by John MacArthur - Blue Letter Bible He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. For other references to the shadow of death, see Jeremiah 2:6 and Job 10:21-22. and flame will not scorch you. Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. The MacArthur Commentaries Series | SermonAudio 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. We are well escorted, with a Shepherd in front and these twin angels behind! (Meyer), iii. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! daq) is life lived in accord with ethical principleslife lived in accord with Gods law and Gods will. If there is a ditch, they will fall in and need to be rescued. Johannine Writings Wisdom Literature Sun Valley, CA 91352 Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. When the sheep are hungry or are anxious about food, they cant lie down peacefully. They also keep a vigilant and watchful eye out for poisonous plants and wild animals. You anoint my head with oil (v. 5b). MacArthur Commentaries - Grace to You John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children: Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda. Was it where you thought you would go? People need comfort and encouragement. This is seen in the following table: [2]. In light of all these truths, we must respond promptly. The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. Psalm 23 Commentary: The Lord Is My Shepherd Explained
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