When considering the many instances in the old testament, there certainly is an extensive use of shepherdflock imagery. Yea, though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil. Psalms 23 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Summarize davids experience as a boy shepherd and as a grown man his shepherding the nation of israel as their king. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. He leads me beside the still waters thats refreshment. Quickly introduce the background behind psalm 23 12 minutes, also introducing king david as the author. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. This section is designed to help families worship god together by offering links to worship songs from youtube.
Commentary, psalm 23 easter 4b, james howell, preaching this week, 2009. The long treks into the high country with their summer range begin. If you dont appreciate the green pastures, if the water is stagnant then you need to be restored. The psalm is commonly used in the context of death and the funeral service. Sheep are not brilliant creatures, and we cannot be flattered that the psalm thinks of us as sheep.
The lords my shepherd psalm 23 funeral poem funeral guide. However it is really a psalm that talks about life, rather than death. A couple of years ago, i was part of a group at luther seminary that researched the complex issues of biblical illiteracyliteracyfluency in. Exegesis comes from a greek word that means to guide out, it is the process of going to the text to determine what it means, and to draw out the correct interpretation. There is no exhortation to do anything but rather a challenge to see and understand something about life in a covenant relationship with god. Psalm 23 gods loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock ps 23. Psalm 23 is one of the cannotmiss texts for living the christian life monday through saturday. Psalm 23 kjv the lord the shepherd of his people nassau. Psalms 23 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the. The food and drink and peace that the lord gives according to what we learned in our psalm 23 2 meaning article leads to what we see here in the third verse of psalm 23 3 he restoreth my soulstrength. Even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil, for you are with me. Feb 16, 2015 psalm 23 the lord is my shepherd thats relationship. As we are faced with a situation that has bloomed into a crisis, every one of us is confronted with several issues.
Phillip keller shares his insights into the life and. It paints the picture of god as one who cares for his people. Psalm 23 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. We learn it as children in sunday school, and, at the other end of life, it is by far the most popular piece of scripture that people ask for on their death beds. There were times when david did not have a home to hang his hat in, and he had to run from cave to cave to escape saul. Hear it again in the joyous voice of a child, with a little help from dad. One of these structures is called chiastic cross over. He brings my wandering spirit back when i forsake his ways. Psalms 23 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. The personal pronouns i and thou enter the conversation. It becomes a most intimate discourse of deep affection. With davids experience as a shepherd, as a warrior, and a king, he.
With this verse the image of the psalm suddenly changes. This psalm begins, the lord is my shepherd, i lack nothing. Psalm 23 commentary by rolf jacobson working preacher. The message from the everyday saints to walk the walk of daily faith in our time, the message is clear. Psalm 23 is the 23rd psalm of the book of psalms, generally known in english by its first verse, in the king james version, the lord is my shepherd. Many psalms have distinctive structures and a symmetry which aids memorisation and gives focus to some of the important words and themes of the overall psalm. Psalm 23 reflection and commentary faithful devotionals. The lord is my shepherd he hath showed himself to be so by his gracious providences toward me. Neither is this psalm strictly a praise psalm hes not calling people to praise the lord specifically instead psalm 23 may be classified as a reflective or meditative psalm. The davidic authorship of it is generally accepted.
I am inclined to see two images in the psalm, that of the shepherd vv. Here is a summary of the lessons in this amazing psalm. Psalm 23 the lord is my shepherd thats relationship. Psalms 23 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. Nrsv with link to anglicized nrsv, common worship psalter, asb psalter, and bcp psalter at oremus bible browser. We dread the unknown far above anything that we can see. State the meaning of psalm 23 by exegesis religion essay.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures or pastures of tender grass f20. Psalm 23 nabre psalm 23 the lord, shepherd and host. Psalms 23 commentary james burton coffman commentaries. Includes two games each for grades k1 and two games for grades 25. Psalm 23 is a passage that tends to stay with us for the whole of life. Travel the shepherds path to the green pastures and cool, refreshing waters of psalm 23. Because our god is our shepherdand he is the most powerful, wise, balanced, loving, and caring being everwe are never going to want, that is, lack for proper management. A table thou furnishest me with plenty of provisions and comforts oil with aromatic ointments, which were then used at great feasts. Psalm 23 nabre psalm 23 the lord, shepherd and host bible. As one scholar said, the psalm itself is green pasture. The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus is 40. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over, a testimony of safety. As we think of the power of words to affect us we stand back in amazement at the words of the 23rd psalm.
Resources for the workshop a shepherd looks at psalm 23, by phillip keller, zondervan publishing, grand rapids, 1970. Through the course of the psalm, we went through the cycle of a year, and in this last verse, we find ourselves back again at the home ranch. If you dont appreciate the green pastures, if the water is stagnant. Simply put, the psalm is one of a small set essential texts for the daily livingout of the christian faith. He makes me to lie down in green pastures thats rest. The food and drink and peace that the lord gives according to what we learned in our psalm 23 2 meaning article leads to what we see here in the third verse of psalm 23. Many psalms include a superscription, which we believe to have been added after the fact by the people putting together the psalm book. And i will dwell in the house of the lord for ever. Point out that, surprisingly, david wrote psalm 23 from the perspective of being a sheep, with the lord as his shepherd.
It is described as perhaps the most popular chapter in the old testament, which is undoubtedly the truth. We shall not lack the things we need for the good shepherd will provide. Psalm 23 is selfdescribed as a psalm of david, and we have good reason to believe that david did in fact write it. Read psalm 23 psalm 23 is often used at funerals to comfort mourning families. As we think of the power of words to affect us we stand. Consider employing the arts for reflection either now or after the discussion. Of this psalm, martin luther said, of all the figures that are applied to god in the old testament, that of a shepherd is the most beautiful. Psalms 23 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. From a shepherds point of view this statement makes the halfway stage in the psalm. Yeah, well, lately the water is a little too still. When we are isolated and alone, we remember god is with us.
Below, the author offers his own translation of the psalm, followed by his interpretation, which focuses on the ambivalence inherent in. Psalm 23 bible commentary wesleys explanatory notes. Its a psalm thats meant to make us stop and think about. Mar 30, 2014 the psalms, and especially psalm 23, speak powerfully to and for gods people in troubled times. On another occasion i was involved in a car accident when i was in high school. Or the paralyzing effect on a child who is told repeatedly you are stupid. Psalm 23 the closeness of god transforms reality pope benedict xvi dedicated his catechesis during the october 25, 2011, general audience to psalm 23 which begins with the words.
The new american standard bible update 1995 easier to read. The message and structure psalm 23 psalm 23 is a psalm which has brought comfort and hope to many people over many years. This psalm began with the sheep, as it were, bragging across the fence to his neighbor. Victory in times of crisis sermon by ray ellis, psalms 23. Children will learn about psalm 23 with special emphasis on following right paths by playing several games. To be restored implies that you have spent yourself in service to god. Though we may become cast down, our shepherd will seek us out to save us from ourselves. Psalm 23, then, deals with the relationship of the lord jesus christ to the individual saint after the resurrection.
Many of davids psalms are full of complaints, but this is full of comforts, and the expressions of delight in gods great goodness and dependence upon him. The lord is my shepherd psalm 23 sermon by david smith. Psalm 23, with its vivid portrait of yearning for and trust in god, is one of the most well known chapters in the book of psalms. Most account it to be a psalm of davids maturity, but with vivid remembrance of his youth as a shepherd. Psalm 23 is one of the bestknown and most oftenquoted passages in the bible. As i reflect on psalm 23, many things come to my mind. Psalm 23 is classified as an individual psalm of thanksgiving. He leads me in the paths of righteousness thats guidance. It speaks of gods love and faithfulness in every circumstance of life, both now and in the future. There are no references to we or us or they, but only my and me and i and. Psalm 23, beautifully explained ambassadors for christ.
In the psalm, barzillai made a great dinner for david. Psalms 23 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. It psalm 23 has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. Think of the affirming power of the words i love you. The 23 rd psalm is not a lament psalm david isnt working through a problem in his life. Sheep must be free from tension within the flock, fear from the outside e. The aim of this assignment is to state the meaning of psalm 23 by exegesis and analysing it. Read psalm 23 invite gods presence pray a simple prayer. Introduction to psalm 23 between the suffering christ of psalm 22 and the sovereign christ of psalm 24 is the shepherd christ of psalm 23. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the seashore. Once when i was a young teen and a tornado was headed toward the farm house we were staying in for a summer.
Like many others, this beloved psalm bears the simple title a psalm of david. Under a metaphor borrowed from scenes of pastoral life, with which david was familiar, he describes gods providential care in providing refreshment, guidance, protection, and abundance, and so affording grounds of confidence in his perpetual favor. It is a psalm which has been sung by good christians, and will be while the world stands, with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. Reflections on psalm 23 for people with cancer why psalm 23. All sheep need a shepherd psalm 23, john 10 sermon notes. The psalms, and especially psalm 23, speak powerfully to and for gods people in troubled times. While there is no direct link between mark 6 and psalm 23, it is not difficult to detect some parallels. And psalm 24 plainly speaks of the second advent of the lord jesus christ. In this first verse, i meditate on the shepherd motif. Psalm 22 deals with the crucifixion of jesus christ and resurrection. Even while i am here in this world, i will beno more a stranger or a guest but like a child at home, dwelling with god.
Oct 05, 2011 psalm 23 the closeness of god transforms reality pope benedict xvi dedicated his catechesis during the october 25, 2011, general audience to psalm 23 which begins with the words. The psalmist will trust, even though all be unknown. Christs relation to his people is often represented by the figure of a. Some even see the imagery of a guide in verses 3 and 4. But the psalms language and imagery may be more fitting for the season of easter when the church tries to discern how to live in light of christs resurrection. It brings to the godly, when they read it or hear it, as it. Writers have tried to outdo one another in describing the popularity, beauty, and delight of this little psalm. There are two systems for numbering the verses in the psalms. Study psalm 23 using wesleys explanatory notes to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning.
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