psalm 23 commentary john macarthur

In the United States, a signal honor would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the White House. i. It is to live with Him. (Kidner), ii. 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! Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. 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. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. [7], 5001 North Oak Trafficway Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me. There is no if nor but, nor even I hope so; but he says, The Lord is my shepherd. (Charles Spurgeon). Taking the Lord's Supper in an Unworthy Manner. I need to know you are well.' Guidance -- for He leads me in the paths of righteousness. God longs to bless and prosper His people. There you have it. 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. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. He talks about going through it, showing that he expects to emerge from its shadows into the light on the other side. You prepare a table (Hebrew: sulhan) before me in the presence of my enemies (v. 5a). However, Gods care for David doesnt remove the presence of his adversaries. [9] As Jesus Himself said, 'You are the light of the world. The writer asserts their faith in God amidst trials and tribulations through this Psalm. Psalm 23 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. ), Mounces Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), Renn, Stephen D., Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words: Word Studies for Key English Bible Words Based on the Hebrew and Greek Texts (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2005), Richards, Lawrence O., Encyclopedia of Bible Words (Zondervan, 1985, 1991), Sakenfeld, Katharine Doob (ed. You anoint my head with oil. So out of the blue she emailed a few weeks back asking: 'All ok with you? And we know the Jesus Himself took upon this title of 'the good Shepherd'. God shines His light into our lives. These twin guardian angels will always be with me at my back and my beck. Now David wasn't saying here that 'the Lord is my Shepherd, whom I do not want'! But that is not how it is in the dry arid lands of the Middle East and we need to read this Psalm with that mindset. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. You are being chased (but don't fret - it's a good thing! One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. Pentateuch Forever. Thats why Psalm 23 is crucially relevant even today. And it is in these times that it starts getting a lot more personal! It's not for the goats. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. You can find a family who have brought up children to being young adults and have never owned a bed. Scripture: Psalm 23. The paths that the Shepherd takes us on are the righteous or 'right' paths. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. (13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. And he awaits the day when the great shepherd will become the chief Shepherd and shall come in the skies. It is a necessary method to protect the sheep. In the presence of my enemies: This is a striking phrase. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. The sheep didnt know where the green pastures and still waters were. 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. His past death for His people We need 2 cookies to store this setting. David experienced the goodness and mercy of God from His tender care. He is a great leader who leads people to righteous living. 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. Pastor John MacArthur. Pests would crawl through the ear canal of an unoiled sheep and lay in its brain. of Scripture. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the author's heart and trust in God. David had extreme confidence in who God IS right now! Someone said they are the most stupid animal on the face of the earth. Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. 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! He had a sidekick with him who spoke on 'I will build my church'. We understand that a shadow is not tangible but is cast by something that is. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. The Kings crown, Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church. Minor Prophets The Saviours Cross. A poor man may say this as well as those in higher circumstances, What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?[6]. So for now, let us follow our Lord where He would lead. Kidner notes: The rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) and staff (to walk with, and to round up the flock) were the shepherds weapon and implement: the former for defence (cf. The Gospels But despite this I got on with her pretty well. If things are tough, remember this verse. 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. 'You are with me' the Psalmist says and that is all that he needs to know. [13] Boy it used to annoy me how church leaders and other Christians would create such confusion concerning this! [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. 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. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me And yet through it all he could look back and write 'the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. His future return for His people as the King of Glory! The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. 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. This unspeakably delightful verse has been sung on many a dying bed, and has helped to make the dark valley bright times out of mind. John Piper Sep 1, 1980. Sermon. Ouch. Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. My - This is probably the best thing about this psalm it is so personal! I think if we could just grasp this first verse alone our hearts could then rest. God's Testimony to the Scriptures. Interactive Bible study with John Piper. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was a royal metaphor. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. General Epistles Below are some of his most touching and eloquent comments on each verse. The New Testament People need comfort and encouragement. Basically fear tactics. The shepherd image appears not only as part of the Old Testament but as a vital part of the New Testament as well. Psalm 23 is a wonderful masterpiece of David that contains encouragement and awe-inspiring spiritual truths. Though the majority of the occurrences of hesed are translated steadfast love, there are undeniable elements of mercy and kindness that underlie each of these occurrences (Renn, 633-634). Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. (Kidner). If you are truly saved He will never leave you all the days of your life! Johannine Writings It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.' The word my cup runs over indicates that David not only had the necessities but also enjoyed abundance. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. 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. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. 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% He is not just a 'good shepherd'. Our God protects His people, and His presence brings comfort to eliminate the fear of evil. It works. 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. So our great Shepherd protects and provides for His sheep during their life on this earth. But do we believe it? . 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. 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. There is something about people who truly know their God. If there is a ditch, they will fall in and need to be rescued. We have to learn to sit back and thank Him once again. 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. We in turn should allow that light to shine forth towards others so that people may see our lives and praise God. The shepherds rod was a sturdy club for use against wild animals that would otherwise prey on the sheep. Historical Books Was it where you thought you would go? Psalm 23:3 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. I'm sure you are smart enough to see the analogy between Jesus and His sheep today. 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. [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. [10]. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 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] . General Epistles 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. 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. ii. [11] I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern Shepherds. They are well placed, well laid: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. 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. It is 'The LORD' who is his shepherd! And obviously, he would then leave the lamb to die in the wilderness, eaten by its predators! GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point 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. Jesus took this name for Himself when He said 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!' In all of those things he was also being pursued the goodness and loving kindness of his great Shepherd. Pastor John MacArthur | The MacArthur Commentaries Grace to You. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. We are so invited and not just occasionally but foreverthe honor that exceeds all other honors. i. In my experience I have never seen a visible manifestation of God going before me at a fork in the road. But the confidence David had is that the great shepherd will always know what we need and when to provide it. But it is alluded to such as in Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water." King David, who wrote this Psalm, obviously knew all about being a shepherd. 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. The words are not in the future tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment. (Spurgeon). If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. a. When God anoints us with His oil, He guards us against the parasites of this world that seek to destroy us. David knew the uniqueness and intimacy of this metaphor. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy What confidence for this life this should give us as we believe it in faith! i. As you survey your life, what path has God led and guided you through? On the one hand it is not quoted in the New Testament directly concerning Jesus. But whether our fears are irrational or based on very real circumstances, our need to remember the Lord is the same. Sure enough, someone guessed pretty quickly that it would be Psalm 23. Location. Yea, prosperity not only so intoxicates many, as to carry them . 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. Ethan Collins November 17, 2020, Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known passages in Scripture. The Whole Bible We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. 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. Everyone loves this Psalm. Do this in remembrance of me. Paul affirms the importance of this table ministry when he says, For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:24, 26). My cup runs over. Lord's Day Services. Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me. Daily devotional with John Piper. To experience the care and guidance of God as a shepherd, we must identify ourselves as His sheep. With joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Let us stick close to Him and thank Him for His wonderful grace. Gods motivations for treating His people rightly stem from the perfection and goodness of His nature. People need to know this beautiful Psalm of David to reorient and renew their thinking. 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 image portrays that God has the power to feed and protect David. In Psalm 22 He is the foundation; in Psalm 23 He is the manifestation; in Psalm 24 He is the expectation. He will sustain and provide for all of His peoples needs. Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. [6] As a silly example, a few weeks back I got an email from a past work colleague that I hadn't heard from for some time. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. (Spurgeon), iii. Gods shepherding care from the previous verse brought restoration to Davids soul. That's the animal God choose which best represents you! The rod of Jesse shall still be over me as the sovereign succor of my soul.[5]. How marvellous it is that weak, fearful people can be given such confidence through a simple trust in the ability of their shepherd! They will not lie down if they are afraid. But there is a greater provision and far greater blessing still to come. Do we not gain comfort from the fact that it is Almighty God who is our Shepherd? They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. Psalm 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. The book of Psalms is so unique because it focuses on the character of God. David wrote this while remembering his fearful experiences. They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren. Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. The Shepherd, the Host, and the Highway Patrol Summer Psalms. and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. We need to hear those words as if God intended them for usbecause he did. 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]. 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. Major Prophets God is. Some of the most obvious are: 1) the wisdom type with instructions for right living; 2) lamentation patterns which deal with the pangs of life (usually arising from enemies without); 3) penitential psalms (mostly dealing with the "enemy" within, i.e., sin); 4) kingship emphases (universal or mediatorial; theocratic and/or messianic rule); and 5) Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? Text: Psalm 23 Ministry: Anchored. Shepherds feed the flock and herd them to good forage areas. You are not your own but were bought with a price! You can check these in your browser security settings. [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! 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. I will fear no evil. This sentence may be read, only goodness and mercy, for there shall be unmingled mercy in our history. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a mans pathway even for a moment. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. Cookie Notice: Why the double standard of confusing messages? Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters; he restores my soul. These valleys were often dark because of the shadow caused by the cliffs, and they were a favourite place for predators to hide in. So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. Johannine Writings Pauline Epistles For I am Yahweh your God, Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins. 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! The image exudes a sense of rest, comfort, and care. Is - Can you say that? Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for you are with me, There is a switch here from 'He' to 'You'. 'Do I need to be extra careful?' David found him so, and so have we. The idea that the LORD is a shepherd to His people is also prevalent throughout the Bible. 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. 6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahwehs house forever. The word through is important. i. To call God a shepherd is to acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and submit to His will. Psalms 25:4-5 Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. I had good medical care. The Hebrew word tob has a variety of meanings, such as good, moral, profitable, or plentiful. Commentaries; Sermons. It could also refer to a piece of furniture like the tables that we know today. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, The gist of Psalm 23 is that God is our shepherd who always provides and protects. You anoint my head with oil; Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Click on the different category headings to find out more. So God will always lead us into that which is right and that which is true. John is also president and featured teacher with Grace to You. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? There are stacks of deceptive shepherds around just as there always were. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. Johannine Writings John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. We often try to work things out in our little minds and end up working ourselves into a place of nervous exhaustion! 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 was no fear involved. Grace Community Church 13248 Roscoe Blvd. Although God, by his benefits, gently allures us to himself, as it were by a taste of his fatherly sweetness, yet there is nothing into which we more easily fall than into a forgetfulness of him, when we are in the enjoyment of peace and comfort. Psalm 23 - Sermon On the Lord is My Shepherd - Study and Obey This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. Its interesting to note how David used the word shepherd in this psalm instead of a more distant term like a king or a deliverer. 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?' It is expressed in this verse - Rom i. Psalm 23 mainly illustrates God as a caring shepherd. In light of all these truths, we must respond promptly. Minor Prophets The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us. It means to actively pursue, to chase, and normally in a negative sense as when Pharaoh chased Israel at the exodus. 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). It is a psalm written by David who grew up as a shepherd. The Believer's Confession of Sin. I. 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. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point (Whew!) How would you describe sheep? David could confidently write the second phrase because he experienced the provision and providence of God in his life. Almost 25 years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. Many people succumb to their hopelessness and fear. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. That was a question that was once sent to me. Notice however that the Psalmist says he 'walks through' this valley. That was all it said. Everyone knows this psalm even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favourite at their funerals. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word | . John MacArthur brings you a complete Bible commentary in one volume. 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. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. Had a very strange dream last night and you were in it. Psalm 23 distinctively stands out compared to other chapters in the Book of Psalms and receives a larger magnitude of respect. The Old Testament John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, president of The Masters University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. But observe: Thou preparest a table, just as a servant does when she unfolds the damask cloth and displays the ornaments of the feast on an ordinary peaceful occasion. PSALM 23:1-4. It's not somewhere that you set up camp thinking that is all you will ever know. Instead of speaking about his Shepherd, David speaks to Him. Historical Books Psalm's 22, 23 and 24 give different glimpses of this wonderful Shepherd. He is the source of life and a great provider. David knew all about this. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. He wrote: Unlike in the west where people get multiple jobs, here the jobs are very rare. We lie on our beds yet carry on the same thoughts inside. Psalm 23 is an explicit metaphor that displays the relationship between God and His people. 'Blessed be the day on which that Psalm was born! So to be Gods guest is to be more than an acquaintance, invited for a day. 'My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. The Middle Eastern shepherds in Israel didn't drive their sheep their sheep followed them. 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.