Psalm 23 The Lord My Shepherd The Lord

Psalm 23 The Lord, My Shepherd “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. ” (Psalm 23: 1)

If Psalm 23 provides the Solutions, what were the Problems?

If Psalm 23 provides the Solutions, what were the Problems? ØTake a few moments and review Psalm 23 looking for the problems/concerns that the psalmist might have been experiencing prior to the writing of the psalm. ØList them in your notebook and discuss briefly at your table.

Psalm 23 = Individual Psalm of Confidence ØThe psalm has been called the “Shepherd’s Psalm” because of the dominant metaphor in the beginning. ØCloser inspection reveals 3 scenes: ØThe Pasture (23: 1 -4): Shepherd. Sheep ØThe Banquet Hall (23: 5): Gracious Host ØThe Sanctuary (23: 6): Holy Lord

Shepherds & Sheep 101 ØMain job of shepherd = food & water ØSheep – not good at finding own food ØBiblical Imagery: ØGod the Father – Isaiah 40: 10 -11 ØGod the Son – John 10: 1 -16 ØElders – 1 Peter 5: 1 -4

A Day in the Life of a Shepherd… Ø In the morning the shepherd leads forth his flock by calling them to himself. Ø In the field, he would often watch with dogs. Ø He would search for strays (responsible). Ø At least once per day, he would supply the flock with water from streams or wells. Ø In the evening, he counted each sheep by passing them “under the rod” (or his hand) as they entered the opening of the enclosure. Ø Sheep and goats kept together during day but separated at night.

Psalm 23: Outline ØDavid meditates on how the Lord leads him, using the emblem of shepherd/sheep (1 -4). ØDavid reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5). ØDavid 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

Psalm 23 A Psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 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.

Psalm 23 A Psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 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.

Psalm 23: 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.

Psalm 23 ØDavid meditates on how the Lord leads him, using the emblem of shepherd/sheep (1 -4). ØDavid reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5). ØDavid 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).

Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 a He makes me lie down in green pastures; ØThe Lord = my shepherd (“my feeder”) ØThe food is spiritual = Word of God (Pss 19 & 119; John 16; 1 Cor 2; Heb 5: 12 -14) ØQ: How does he feed the sheep? ØA: By putting them in the best place for the best food. ØQuantity: He lacks nothing when God provides

Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 a He makes me lie down in green pastures; ØThe Lord leads him to the very best provisions in life so that he is satisfied. ØQuantity: He lacks nothing when God provides. ØQuality: He has the best provisions

Psalm 23 2 b. He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 a He restores my soul; ØHe leads = He “causes” the leading to… ØQuiet waters = “waters of rest” (nacham) ØRestores = “to return; to turn back” (sheep wander; good shepherds heal/restore) ØMy soul = the whole person (Hebrews thought of the person as a soul, not having a soul. )

Psalm 23 2 b. He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 a He restores my soul; ØThe Lord leads him to complete restoration (2 b-3 a) ØEmblem: He leads him by placid waters ØTruth: The Lord restores his soul ØProvision of the Lord: Leading &

Psalm 23 3 b. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Ø He guides = “lead by turning eyes to a goal” Ø Paths = tracks from something that “rolled” Ø Righteousness = “according to a standard” Ø “The Right Paths” – a good shepherd knows the “right” way/path to travel.

Psalm 23 3 b. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. ØWHY? ? ØFor His name’s sake = “for the sake of His name (reputation)” = all that He stands for. ØThe reputation of the shepherd is built and maintained by his continued good guidance and care of the sheep. ØProvision of the Lord: Guidance

Psalm 23 3 b. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Ø The Lord leads him in the right paths because of His reputation (3 b). Ø Truth: He leads him in the right paths Ø Reason: His reputation (“name”) depends on it Ø Provision of the Lord: Leading & Healing

Psalm 23 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. ØFear – David fears the Lord, not adversity ØYou are with me = reason for confidence ØNote shift from 3 rd to 2 nd person here ØCardinal doctrine of Bible: I am with

Psalm 23 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. ØEven though = a real possibility Ø“Valley of the shadow of death” = difficult ØValley is modified by the phrase “death shadow”. Possibilities: ØExtremely dangerous place ØDeath is haunting his course of life ØLife-threatening situation

Psalm 23 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. ØRod & staff = bring care and protection ØPoetry 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. ØProvision of the Lord: Protection

Psalm 23 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. ØThe Lord leads him through life-threatening circumstances (4). ØDanger: He may go through life-threatening circumstances ØConfidence: The presence of the Lord dispels fears

Psalm 23 ØDavid meditates on how the Lord leads him, using the emblem of a shepherd/sheep (1 -4). ØDavid reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5). ØDavid 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).

Psalm 23 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Ø Prepare a table = “set in order” (as with dishes and food on the table) {Provision} Ø Before me = “towards my face” Ø In the presence of my enemies = “in front of those that hem me in” {Security, even in the midst of trouble}

Psalm 23 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. ØAnointed = “to make fat” = symbol of abundance and prosperity ØOil = symbol or hospitality and joy ØMy cup = your lot in life; what you are given to “drink”. Imagery here is saturation/full.

Psalm 23 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. ØThe Lord prepares a banquet table for him in the presence of his enemies = sustenance in time of need. ØThe Lord anoints his head with oil = rejoicing in time of need. ØThe Lord makes his cup run over = abundant

Psalm 23 ØDavid meditates on how the Lord leads him, using the emblem of a shepherd/sheep (1 -4). ØDavid reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5). ØDavid 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).

Psalm 23 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD. ØSurely = introduces an expression of truth ØGoodness & lovingkindness = to be taken together as Yahweh’s “good loyal love” ØLovingkindness = “hesed” = determined faithfulness/love in a relationship or covenant ØWill follow me = “ongoing pursuit” Ø 6 a = His observation about the Lord

Psalm 23 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD. Ø 6 b = His decision ØI will dwell = same word as “restore” in 23: 3 ØI will dwell = Many hold for “return” here ØThis would convey that David has been away from the sanctuary meditating on the provisions of the Lord thus prompting his

Psalm 23 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD. ØConclusion: The goodness and loyal love of the Lord will persistently follow him everywhere. ØResult: He shall be drawn to the house of the Lord for the length of his days.

Psalm 23: The Lord, My Shepherd Feeding Leading Healing Guiding Protecting

Psalm 23 A Psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 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.

Psalm 23 The Lord, My Shepherd “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. ” (Psalm 23: 1)

Psalms Bible Study: 7: 008: 45 pm June 10 June 17 June 24 July 1 July 8 July 15 Intro & Psalm 1 Psalm 2 NO CLASS Psalm 63 Psalm 23 Psalms of Ascent Hallel Psalms Psalm 150