Psalm 23 (Hymn Sing)
Notes
Transcript
Hymn # 74 - Majesty
Hymn # 494 - Like a River Glorious
Background:
I literally just googled what are some of the most famous or most popular Psalms.
Let’s look at those and see why they are so famous and so popular.
Things become popular when the capture the attention of the masses.
When something becomes popular it is because it usually engages our hearts We find joy, peace, comfort, or we feel love. We enjoy.
Popular (Common denominator).
Thought I would start with the most famous first.
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 still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Why has this become popular? (
Who has memorized this?
Who would say this was one or maybe even their “Favorite.” (I know we are supposed to have favorites - kids
Tim Smith sent me a book and I have loved it.
Sent me an article and loved it as well.
Read it to you.
Hymn #358 - I am Thine O Lord
Hymn # 210 - Jesus Paid It All
Shepherding us through the field of life (1-3)
Shepherding us through the field of life (1-3)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
1 - (Themes - Relationship and sufficiency - masterful
We can be known by our Creator and know Him as well.
MY shepherd. Shepherd - leader, protector, provider.
so we have a personal leader, protector and provider.
How can we become more aware of this reality?
Daily bread. (Lord’s Prayer)
Message of Jesus is “Repent” and “follow me”
John 10:27–28 (ESV) 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Shepherd - leader, protector, provider.
Out of the overflow of that relationship comes contentment. (Sufficiency).
I shall not want….
we have a lot of wants, but if we have the Lord as our shepherd we have all we need.
“if He’s all you have, He’s all you ever need.”
“In the midst of many dangers, toils and snares help is available.”
2-3 - Meadow (THEMES - refreshment, healing, guiding and purpose)
“makes me lie down” - causative…
“green pastures” - rich abundant grass of springtime (cut the grass to make silage). such a vibrant green color.
“leads to still waters” - literally the “waters of rest.”
Waterbed - remember those (still have one???)
The idea is weightlessness and comfort. at ease. floating.
restores our souls -
This is where are shepherd is leading us. vibrant restored life. now and forever.
“paths of righteousness for His names sake” - literal the ‘paths that are right.”
He has a plan for your life and He is working it. It is right and your life isn’t about you, it is about HIM.
Hymn # 202 - Amazing Grace
Hymn # 435 - What a Friend we Have in Jesus
He safely brings us home (4-6)
He safely brings us home (4-6)
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
VERSE 4 - lOADED
moving from shepherd / sheep analogy - traveler and companion.
Moving from out in front, to just alongside.
He is with us (one of the most oft repeated promises of the bible.
The copy you have in your hands is how the HEBREW text is sprawled out for us. Do my a favor try to find the middle of the Psalm. (Include the superscription as the first line.)
shadow of death “Lit - Deep darkness” -
yes he is with us in death, but also in the darkest times of our life.
We have all embarked on a one way journey with death.
Hebrews 9:27 (ESV - 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
You might feel lost, but Jesus is with you and if you look at him you will notice that he isn’t nervously scratching his head lost and leaving a trail of bread crumbs.
If you are in a season of deep darkness…remember a quote by Robert Frost.
“The best way out is always through” is a quote by poet Robert Frost that suggests that the fastest way to overcome a challenge is to confront it directly.
The quickest way out is through. (Jesus is with you and this is somehow right for you. you can learn more about Him being your shepherd and traveling companion through this happening.
don’t remain in the valley, walk through it. that is what the text says.
don’t lie down in the darkness, get up and walk through it.
we don’t fear the dark times because of whom we are with in them.
Look what’s in his hands. (Rod and staff)
no one can snatch us out. He isn’t just meek and mild mannered. He will protect His own.
ROD - not just a walking stick - primary offensive weapon for protection.
Psalm 2:9 (ESV) - 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
STAFF - this one is used more for correction - let me lead you this way to green pastures, this way to food. let me grab your neck and tilt your head my way as we head through this deep darkness.
the staff is for us. the rod is for others.
5 - party time. - shepherd to companion to now host.
victory party in his eternal home.
The host is active and we participates are passive. He is giving and we are receiving.
festive oil and an overflowing cup. Brimming.
preparing - special and attentive to detail (thanksgiving or Christmas) - special.
that is what preparing is like. (Jesus said he was going to prepare a place).
ocean of generosity. (all we need for life and godliness - he gives life to all. all things hold together in him. - we are so very much dependent on him to be who He is.
Verse 6 - in this age we are actively pursued by his goodness and mercy.
these are covenantal words that found their ultimate fulfillment in the life and ministry and death of Jesus. He pursued us all the way to the cross for the joy set before him.
He work ensures us that one day we will dwell in His immediate presence forever.
Hymn # Victory in Jesus
Hymn # 493 - It is Well
