psalm 23 commentary john macarthur

Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. Abraham's Bosom, Paradise, and Heaven 1. b) John MacArthur; MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians 5:18 - "Be filled" translates the present passive imperative of "pleroo", and is more literally rendered as "be being kept filled." We are "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit at the moment of justification (professing our faith in Christ). Pauline Epistles This verse doesn't mean that there will not be times of drought, valleys, difficulties and need--- far from it God loves you too much to just make things always easy! We might say that the shepherds presence did not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil. 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. It is for His name's sake and His glory that this is done! Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Sermons from the Book of Psalms | Grace to You - SermonAudio ii. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. Forever. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. THE LORD AS SHEPHERD 1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point The primary responsibility of a shepherd is to ensure the well-being and safety of the flock. for his names sake (v. 3c). Is - Can you say that? Historical Books Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. You may be in a dark place but you must keep walking. 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. On some days, she was on one side of the valley. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Rev 21:3-4, 'Forever' is a long time, but this infinitely creative God will never fail to amaze us. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. The Experiencing God Study Bible : the Bible for knowing and doing the will of God - Blackaby, Henry (1996) 1968 pages - CHECK THIS ONE! Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. Everything will be ok. But the confidence David had is that the great shepherd will always know what we need and when to provide it. Welcome to FaithGiant, where you can find everything you need to live a life of faith, hope, and love. Most importantly, I understood that God is with us in life and in deathand so I can truly say that I was not frightened. But, what makes it so compelling? The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). You can check these in your browser security settings. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. There is no fear of biting the bare ground where the grass is long enough for the flock to lie down in it. Now mine was a recent silly example. The comforts of a living saint. The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. They would travel from oasis to oasis. Many people were praying for me. So I wrote back and said I had done a thorough check and all was well. Psalm 19. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. You are mine. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. i. 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.'. Readers benefit from the coherence a single commentator provides, finding faithful, understandable, and . 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 MacArthur Bible Commentary treats every passage of the Old and New Testaments phrase by phrase, with hundreds of word studies and sidebars throughout. Johannine Writings This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. It adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. The Saviours Cross. Sometimes those paths lead straight through the valley of the shadow of death. John Piper Sep 8, 1980 However, the sheep do not easily lie down. i. All of John's 3,000 sermons, spanning more than four decades of ministry, are available for free on the Grace to You website. To walk indicates the steady advance of a soul which knows its road, knows its end, resolves to follow the path, feels quite safe, and is therefore perfectly calm and composed Observe that it is not walking in the valley, but through the valley. It isnt his destination or dwelling place. The anointing of oil to the sheep isnt just a meaningless ritual. Pauline Epistles 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! It talks about humanity, our experiences, and even our emotions. [10]. David found him so, and so have we. 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. This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. David had had the highs of defeating Goliath to the lows of running for his life and hiding in caves from Saul. Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. Follow John MacArthur: Contact Information: Phone: 800-55-GRACE Fax: 661-295-5871 Email: [email protected] . Be assured! In Psalm 22 He gives His life for the sheep; in Psalm 23 He gives His love to the sheep; in Psalm 24 He gives us light when He shall appear. 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 adorns walls in faithful churches and fills frames in Christian homes. He would not be like his Lord if he had not. But, God as our shepherd provides peace that transcends all understanding. Pentateuch Historical Books The word through is important. There are few experiences in life that would be more satisfying. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself. Anointing with oil was used for various purposes (healing, burial, expressing grief or joy). The MacArthur Bible Commentary | Logos Bible Software Hundreds of additional study tools complement the commentary, such as. The goodness and care suggested by the prepared table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. There is some debate among commentators as to whether David had the idea of two separate instruments (the rod and the staff) or one instrument used two ways. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). 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. Psalm 23 Commentary: The Lord Is My Shepherd Explained 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). Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! He is the shepherd that provides and His people will lack no good thing. But the love for our Saviour is great, with us waiting patiently for a time all these woes will come to an end. Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. I have a lady at my work who, after saying something that she felt may tempt fate, said 'touch wood'. They have been comforted, strengthened, and warmed by the thought that the LORD would shepherd them through the valley of the shadow of death. You prepare a table (Hebrew: sulhan) before me in the presence of my enemies (v. 5a). c. I will fear no evil: Despite every dark association with the idea of the valley of the shadow of death, David could resolutely say this because he was under the care of the LORD his shepherd. What humanity needs now is the restoration of hope and joy. The Gospels Obviously it means that with the Lord protecting and providing for us then we shall not lack that which He knows we need. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. God wasnt just a shepherd to others in a theoretical sense, but He was Davids shepherd. And then the same thing will happen tomorrow. 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! He was aware of the potential dangers that may befall him. [6]. It doesn't mean that anything outwardly has to change. John is also president and featured teacher with Grace to You. Sometimes it goes through the dark valley as the next verse indicates. So I started checking myself - heart was still pumping, ears were attached, nose still worked, yes, everything seemed to be in order. Psalm 23 commentary is a holy piece of work that exudes different kinds of emotions. David knew all about this. I had good medical care. and I will dwell in Yahwehs (Hebrew: YHWH) house forever (v. 6b). Psalm 107. 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. iii. It makes sense. The light shines the brightest in the dark. Thankfully I didn't go far down that track but it can plant this little seed of fear in your mind if you let it. 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 an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. 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. Play. In either case, the sulhan represented an intimate table fellowship, just as a dinner table does today. 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. (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. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. Then from the pulpit you would hear the same person say that if you didn't do this, this, and this you could lose your salvation or the Holy Spirit would leave you etc. This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. Gods presence enables David to feast in perfect security. The New Testament He guides us and leads us along the right and true paths. Nothing is outside of His control. Major Prophets Johannine Writings 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. Sweet and full are the doctrines of the gospel; fit food for souls, as tender grass is natural nutriment for sheep. In extreme cases where a lamb continually wandered off and wouldn't stick with the pack (causing the Shepherd to repeatedly have to go and bring the lamb back) the Shepherd would sometimes break the lamb's leg! The profound way of weaving Davids testimony to bring glory to God through this Psalm is utterly magnificent. 27:1). You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 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. What great confidence! And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. Pray to him, then, for the blessingRestore thou me, thou Shepherd of my soul!, Some Christians overlook the blessing of sanctification, and yet to a thoroughly renewed heart this is one of the sweetest gifts of the covenant. John MacArthur, Pastor-Teacher. When we get tired we take a rest. Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. We are smart enough to do this in the physical. That is some revelation! What 1 Corinthians 13 is to weddings, Psalm 23 is to funerals. The other thing to note on this point is that the entire psalm is only valid for those who truly have Jesus as their shepherd. Psalm 40 - The Pit and the Pierced Ear in the Paths of God, Psalm 41: The pattern of betrayal - Past, present and future (P1), Psalm 55: The pattern of betrayal: Past, present and future (P2), Psalm 69 - The restoration and the zeal of the Lord, Psalm 102 - Change and the Unchangeable One, Psalm 110: Jesus the Messiah - Our Lord and King, Psalm 110: Jesus our priest in the order of Melchizedek. The Hebrew word, sulhan (table), could refer to an animal hide spread on the ground like a picnic blanket. The Premiere One-Volume Commentary . What are these still waters but the influences and graces of his blessed Spirit? I need to know you are well.' That seldom accomplishes His purposes and the rest of the Psalm show that these things do occur. Site by Mere. Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! Thank God for such times! [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. It is expressed in this verse - Rom When the psalmist says that God has anointed his head with oil, he means that God has marked him as specialhas set him apart for a significant role. God's Testimony to the Scriptures. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord. 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.. We lie on our beds yet carry on the same thoughts inside. Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 23 Learn More | Livestream | Bulletin Servicios en espaol. He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. There are stacks of deceptive shepherds around just as there always were. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007), Freedman, David Noel (Ed. Obviously this doesn't mean that the track that the shepherd takes is always an easy one. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). They are times, as the Psalm says, when He restores your soul spiritually. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. They are in need of a good shepherd who will provide, protect, and guide his sheep. 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. Interactive Bible study with John Piper. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. Kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:3, 12-13; 2 Samuel 23:1; 1 Kings 1:39). Right paths lead to life rather than death (see Matthew 7:13-14). 3 He restores my soul. Yea, prosperity not only so intoxicates many, as to carry them . The Gospels In this article, well be talking about the commentary of Psalm 23 and explore more about its meaning. 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]. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. Later, rabbis often designated it "The Book of Praises." . Just like the sheep, its difficult for us to be at rest when life throws a lot of problems. He is in control. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. But mentally and spiritually we can get really tired trying to work out all our problems and we don't rest. The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. 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. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Almost everyone, whether religious or not, has heard Psalm 23 because it is quoted so frequently. . It is a Psalm of but 6 verses but countless sermons and entire books have been written on it. ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. I will fear no evil. But, it does entitle David to experience Gods provision and providence in their midst. David envisioned God as a benevolent host who prepared a grand banquet. They are dumb, dirty, defenceless and dependant.