Untitled Sermon
Psalm 23
Psalm 23
Notes For Verse 1
a [The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want] This is the John 10 of the O.T., with the sheep experiencing the more abundant life provided for them by the Messiah (Ps. 23:1–6; Jn. 10:1–18).
Chart: Thirty Perfect Things of Psalm Ch. 23
1. The Lord—perfect God (Ps. 23:1)
2. My Shepherd—perfect Keeper
3. Not want—perfect satisfaction
4. Maketh me—perfect Director (Ps. 23:2)
5. Lie down—perfect rest
6. Green pastures—perfect supply
7. Leadeth me—perfect guidance (Ps. 23:2–3)
8. Still waters—perfect peace
9. Restoreth—perfect restoration (Ps. 23:3)
10. My soul—perfect self
11. Paths of righteousness—perfect holiness (Ps. 23:3; Heb. 12:14)
12. Name’s sake—perfect object
13. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death—perfect trust (Ps. 23:4)
14. Fear no evil—perfect protection
15. With me—perfect companionship
16. Thy rod—perfect defense
17. Thy staff—perfect help
18. Comfort me—perfect solace
19. Preparest—perfect provision (Ps. 23:5)
20. Table—perfect food
21. Before me—perfect presence
22. In presence of enemies—perfect safety
23. Anointest my head with oil—perfect anointing
24. Cup runneth over—perfect joy
25. Surely—perfect assurance (Ps. 23:6)
26. Goodness—perfect benevolence
27. Mercy—perfect compassion
28. Follow all my days—perfect life
29. Dwell—perfect home
30. In the house of the Lord forever—perfect destiny
b [LORD] Hebrew: Yahweh (HSN-<H3068>) ro`iy (HSN-<H7473>), the Lord My Shepherd. See Sixteen Jehovah Titles.
c [shepherd] God is called the Shepherd of Israel (Gen. 49:24; Ps. 80:1; Isa. 40:9–11). He predicts setting over them one shepherd who will be true to Israel (Ezek. 34:23; 37:24; Zech. 13:7; Mt. 26:31).
d [I shall not want] The doctrine of supplying lawful wants as well as needs is taught in both testaments (Ps. 23:1; 34:9–10; 84:11; Mt. 17:20; 21:22; Mk. 9:23; 11:22–24; Lk. 11:9–13; Jn. 15:7, 16; 16:23–26; Jas. 1:5–8; 1Jn. 3:20–22; 5:13–14; 3Jn. 1:2).
Notes For Verse 2
a [He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters]
Chart: Fourteen Blessings of Sheep
1. The Lord as their Shepherd (Ps. 23:1)
2. No want (Ps. 34:9–10; 84:11)
3. Rest in choice green pastures (Ps. 23:2)
4. Guidance to still, deep, waters of rest and refreshing (cp. Jn. 4:14; 7:37–39)
5. Restoration of soul (Ps. 23:3)
6. Guidance in paths of right for His name’s sake, which gives no cause for stumbling, falling or going astray
7. Safe passage through the valley of the shadow of death—the deep, waterless, gloomy, wild, beast-infested, rocky, dangerous ravine so common in Palestine (Ps. 23:4)
8. No fear of evil because of the Shepherd’s constant companionship, watch, and protection
9. The comfort of the Shepherd’s rod and staff (club and crook, the only two things carried by shepherds for defense and help—the club for the sheep’s enemies and the crook for the sheep’s protection)
10. Prepared and full tables of food to feast on in the presence of enemies (Ps. 23:5). They feast in safety while the Shepherd watches, fights, and protects
11. Heads anointed with perfumed oil. This preceded feasts of ancient times (Ps. 104:15; Mt. 26:6–7; Mk. 14:8; Lk. 7:45–50)
12. Cups running over. Not only plenty of food, but plenty of wholesome drink
13. Confidence that such goodness and mercy will follow them to the end of life (Ps. 23:6)
14. Faith that in the next life they will dwell in God’s house forever (Jn. 14:1–3; Heb. 11:10–16; 13:14; Rev. 21–22)
Notes For Verse 6
a [Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever] The 18th prophecy in Psalms (Ps. 23:6, being fulfilled and will be completely fulfilled in all who go to live in the house of the Lord forever—Ps. 23:6; Jn. 14:1–3; Heb. 11:10–16; 13:14; Rev. 21–22). Next, Ps. 24:1.