Psalm 23: The Lord, My Shepherd Psalm 23

Transcription

1 Buck Anderson Grace Bible Church : The Lord, My Shepherd Using the settings of a pasture, banquet hall, and the sanctuary, David meditates on the many provisions of the Lord and confidently concludes that His persistent loyal love will draw him to communion with the Lord in the sanctuary. Psalms Bible Study: Evening Week 1 Intro & Psalm1 Week 2 Psalm 2 (Skip a week) Week 3 Psalm 63 Week 4 Week 5 Psalms of Ascent, Hallel Psalms, Psalm 150, Praise & Worship If provides the Solutions, what were the Problems? Take a few moments and review looking for the problems/concerns that the psalmist might have been experiencing prior to the writing of the psalm. List them in your notebook and discuss briefly at your table. = Individual Psalm of Confidence The psalm has been called the Shepherd s Psalm because of the dominant metaphor in the beginning. Closer inspection reveals 3 scenes: The Pasture (23:1-4): Shepherd-Sheep The Banquet Hall (23:5): Gracious Host The Sanctuary (23:6): Holy Lord Shepherds & Sheep 101 Main job of shepherd = food & water Sheep not good at finding own food Biblical Imagery: God the Father Isaiah 40:10-11 God the Son John 10:1-16 Elders 1 Peter 5:1-4 A Day in the Life of a Shepherd In the morning the shepherd leads forth his flock by calling them to himself. In the field, he would often watch with dogs. He would search for strays (responsible).

2 At least once per day, he would supply the flock with water from streams or wells. In the evening, he counted each sheep by passing them under the rod (or his hand) as they entered the opening of the enclosure. Sheep and goats kept together during day but separated at night. : Outline I. David meditates on how the Lord leads him, using the emblem of shepherd/sheep (1-4). II. David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5). III. David confidently concludes that since the goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow him always he shall be drawn to communion with the Lord in the sanctuary(6). A Psalm of David. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. A Psalm of David. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

3 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. : Message Using the settings of a pasture, banquet hall, and the sanctuary, David meditates on the many provisions of the Lord and confidently concludes that His persistent loyal love will draw him to communion with the Lord in the sanctuary. I. David meditates on how the Lord leads him, using the emblem of shepherd/sheep (1-4). 2a He makes me lie down in green pastures; The Lord = my shepherd ( my feeder ) The food is spiritual = Word of God (Pss 19 & 119; John 16; 1 Cor 2; Heb 5:12-14) Q: How does he feed the sheep? A: By putting them in the best place for the best food. Quantity: He lacks nothing when God provides Quality: He has the best provisions (lush green meadows of spring time) The Lord leads him to the very best provisions in life so that he is satisfied. Quantity: He lacks nothing when God provides. Quality: He has the best provisions (lush green meadows of spring time). Provision of the Lord: Feeding 2b He leads me beside quiet waters. 3a He restores my soul; He leads = He causes the leading to Quiet waters = waters of rest (nacham) Restores = to return; to turn back (sheep wander; good shepherds heal/restore) My soul = the whole person (Hebrews thought of the person as a soul, not having a soul.) The Lord leads him to complete restoration (2b-3a) Emblem: He leads him by placid waters Truth: The Lord restores his soul

4 Provision of the Lord: Leading & Healing 3b He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. He guides = lead by turning eyes to a goal Paths = tracks from something that rolled Righteousness = according to a standard The Right Paths a good shepherd knows the right way/path to travel. WHY???? For His name s sake = for the sake of His name (reputation) = all that He stands for. The reputation of the shepherd is built and maintained by his continued good guidance and care of the sheep. Provision of the Lord: Guidance The Lord leads him in the right paths because of His reputation (3b). Truth: He leads him in the right paths Reason: His reputation ( name ) depends on it Provision of the Lord: Leading & Healing 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Fear David fears the Lord, not adversity You are with me = reason for confidence Note shift from 3rd to 2nd person here Cardinal doctrine of Bible: I am with you (see Genesis 28:15; Exodus 3 & 6; Matt. 28) Even though = a real possibility Valley of the shadow of death = difficult Valley is modified by the phrase death shadow. Possibilities: Extremely dangerous place Death is haunting his course of life Life-threatening situation Rod & staff = bring care and protection Poetry balance: 1) in dangerous times he is not afraid because the Lord is with him and 2) the Lord s rod and staff bring him comfort. Provision of the Lord: Protection

5 The Lord leads him through life-threatening circumstances (4). Danger: He may go through life-threatening circumstances Confidence: The presence of the Lord dispels fears Emblem: The Lord s rod & staff comfort him. II. David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5). 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Prepare a table = set in order (as with dishes and food on the table) {Provision} Before me = towards my face In the presence of my enemies = in front of those that hem me in {Security, even in the midst of trouble} Anointed = to make fat = symbol of abundance and prosperity Oil = symbol or hospitality and joy My cup = your lot in life; what you are given to drink. Imagery here is saturation/full. Provision of Lord: Protection The Lord prepares a banquet table for him in the presence of his enemies = sustenance in time of need. The Lord anoints his head with oil = rejoicing in time of need. The Lord makes his cup run over = abundant provision in his portion. III. David confidently concludes that since the goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow him always he shall be drawn to communion with the Lord in the sanctuary(6). 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD. Surely = introduces an expression of truth Goodness & lovingkindness = to be taken together as Yahweh s good loyal love Lovingkindness = hesed = determined faithfulness/love in a relationship or covenant Will follow me = ongoing pursuit 6a = His observation about the Lord 6b = His decision I will dwell = same word as restore in 23:3

6 I will dwell = Many hold for return here This would convey that David has been away from the sanctuary meditating on the provisions of the Lord thus prompting his desire to return. Forever = for the length of days Conclusion: The goodness and loyal love of the Lord will persistently follow him everywhere. Result: He shall be drawn to the house of the Lord for the length of his days. : The Lord, My Shepherd Feeding Leading Healing Guiding Protecting A Psalm of David. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.