There are two systems for numbering the verses in the psalms. As we think of the power of words to affect us we stand. Psalm 23 is classified as an individual psalm of thanksgiving. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the seashore. Yeah, well, lately the water is a little too still. Psalms 23 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the. The lord is my shepherd psalm 23 sermon by david smith. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures or pastures of tender grass f20. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over, a testimony of safety. 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.
Some even see the imagery of a guide in verses 3 and 4. Sheep are not brilliant creatures, and we cannot be flattered that the psalm thinks of us as sheep. It is described as perhaps the most popular chapter in the old testament, which is undoubtedly the truth. There are no references to we or us or they, but only my and me and i and. The psalmist will trust, even though all be unknown. This section is designed to help families worship god together by offering links to worship songs from youtube. Psalm 23 bible commentary wesleys explanatory notes. With this verse the image of the psalm suddenly changes. 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. In the psalm, barzillai made a great dinner for david.
It brings to the godly, when they read it or hear it, as it. Nrsv with link to anglicized nrsv, common worship psalter, asb psalter, and bcp psalter at oremus bible browser. Resources for the workshop a shepherd looks at psalm 23, by phillip keller, zondervan publishing, grand rapids, 1970. 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 davidic authorship of it is generally accepted. 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. We shall not lack the things we need for the good shepherd will provide. The lords my shepherd psalm 23 funeral poem funeral guide. Commentary, psalm 23 easter 4b, james howell, preaching this week, 2009. As we think of the power of words to affect us we stand back in amazement at the words of the 23rd psalm.
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. On another occasion i was involved in a car accident when i was in high school. Phillip keller shares his insights into the life and. Psalm 22 deals with the crucifixion of jesus christ and resurrection. The personal pronouns i and thou enter the conversation. Psalms 23 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. Here is a summary of the lessons in this amazing psalm.
It psalm 23 has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. Children will learn about psalm 23 with special emphasis on following right paths by playing several games. As we are faced with a situation that has bloomed into a crisis, every one of us is confronted with several issues. 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. While there is no direct link between mark 6 and psalm 23, it is not difficult to detect some parallels. Psalm 23 nabre psalm 23 the lord, shepherd and host bible. 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. Psalm 23 reflection and commentary faithful devotionals. State the meaning of psalm 23 by exegesis religion essay.
Its a psalm thats meant to make us stop and think about. 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. Many psalms include a superscription, which we believe to have been added after the fact by the people putting together the psalm book. As one scholar said, the psalm itself is green pasture. 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. From a shepherds point of view this statement makes the halfway stage in the psalm. This psalm begins, the lord is my shepherd, i lack nothing. Psalm 23 is one of the cannotmiss texts for living the christian life monday through saturday. Victory in times of crisis sermon by ray ellis, psalms 23.
In this first verse, i meditate on the shepherd motif. I am inclined to see two images in the psalm, that of the shepherd vv. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. 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. The psalm is commonly used in the context of death and the funeral service. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23 kjv the lord the shepherd of his people nassau. Read psalm 23 psalm 23 is often used at funerals to comfort mourning families. 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. 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. Consider employing the arts for reflection either now or after the discussion. The lord is my shepherd he hath showed himself to be so by his gracious providences toward me.
It speaks of gods love and faithfulness in every circumstance of life, both now and in the future. Reflections on psalm 23 for people with cancer why psalm 23. There is no exhortation to do anything but rather a challenge to see and understand something about life in a covenant relationship with god. We dread the unknown far above anything that we can see.
Point out that, surprisingly, david wrote psalm 23 from the perspective of being a sheep, with the lord as his shepherd. 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. Psalm 23 is a passage that tends to stay with us for the whole of life. With davids experience as a shepherd, as a warrior, and a king, he. Summarize davids experience as a boy shepherd and as a grown man his shepherding the nation of israel as their king. Psalms 23 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. He leads me in the paths of righteousness thats guidance. All sheep need a shepherd psalm 23, john 10 sermon notes.
Psalm 23, then, deals with the relationship of the lord jesus christ to the individual saint after the resurrection. Though we may become cast down, our shepherd will seek us out to save us from ourselves. He makes me to lie down in green pastures thats rest. Travel the shepherds path to the green pastures and cool, refreshing waters of psalm 23. Simply put, the psalm is one of a small set essential texts for the daily livingout of the christian faith. And psalm 24 plainly speaks of the second advent of the lord jesus christ. Read psalm 23 invite gods presence pray a simple prayer.
He brings my wandering spirit back when i forsake his ways. Below, the author offers his own translation of the psalm, followed by his interpretation, which focuses on the ambivalence inherent in. The 23 rd psalm is not a lament psalm david isnt working through a problem in his life. The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus is 40. 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. The message and structure psalm 23 psalm 23 is a psalm which has brought comfort and hope to many people over many years. Psalm 23 nabre psalm 23 the lord, shepherd and host. Quickly introduce the background behind psalm 23 12 minutes, also introducing king david as the author. Most account it to be a psalm of davids maturity, but with vivid remembrance of his youth as a shepherd. And i will dwell in the house of the lord for ever. As i reflect on psalm 23, many things come to my mind. However it is really a psalm that talks about life, rather than death. Psalm 23 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. A table thou furnishest me with plenty of provisions and comforts oil with aromatic ointments, which were then used at great feasts.
Study psalm 23 using wesleys explanatory notes to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The new american standard bible update 1995 easier to read. He leads me beside the still waters thats refreshment. Feb 16, 2015 psalm 23 the lord is my shepherd thats relationship. 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. It paints the picture of god as one who cares for his people. Psalms 23 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Mar 30, 2014 the psalms, and especially psalm 23, speak powerfully to and for gods people in troubled times. 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. Or the paralyzing effect on a child who is told repeatedly you are stupid.
The long treks into the high country with their summer range begin. Christs relation to his people is often represented by the figure of a. Even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil, for you are with me. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Psalm 23 is one of the bestknown and most oftenquoted passages in the bible. If you dont appreciate the green pastures, if the water is stagnant. The placement of the psalm is, of course, remarkable. Includes two games each for grades k1 and two games for grades 25. One of these structures is called chiastic cross over. 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. Psalm 23, beautifully explained ambassadors for christ. If you dont appreciate the green pastures, if the water is stagnant then you need to be restored. This psalm began with the sheep, as it were, bragging across the fence to his neighbor. Psalms 23 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on.
A couple of years ago, i was part of a group at luther seminary that researched the complex issues of biblical illiteracyliteracyfluency in. The aim of this assignment is to state the meaning of psalm 23 by exegesis and analysing it. Psalm 23 gods loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock ps 23. 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. 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. Psalms 23 commentary james burton coffman commentaries. Psalm 23 the lord is my shepherd thats relationship. The message from the everyday saints to walk the walk of daily faith in our time, the message is clear. Think of the affirming power of the words i love you. Psalm 23 commentary by rolf jacobson working preacher. To be restored implies that you have spent yourself in service to god. Psalm 23 is selfdescribed as a psalm of david, and we have good reason to believe that david did in fact write it. The psalms, and especially psalm 23, speak powerfully to and for gods people in troubled times. 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.
1084 1002 39 117 1272 1554 661 526 1263 596 243 863 1456 243 1299 720 352 757 1277 1430 414 761 875 1135 471 6 826 1033 493 1286 1062 1138 682