God is Good

Introduction

We come to problably the most well-loved, the most-well known Psalm in the Psalter. More people have heard and have fallen in love with this Psalm probably more than any other Psalm. We more often than not hear this Psalm at funerals today. This Psalm however does not come without its challenges. Because it is so well-known by Christians and non-Christians, people tend to think this is who God is a wonderful Shepherd that takes care of his sheep. We must realize though place in the Bible. As Charles Spurgeon puts it,

The position of this psalm is worthy of notice. It follows the twenty-second, which is peculiarly the Psalm of the Cross. There are no green pastures, no still waters on the other side of the twenty-second psalm. It is only after we have read, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" that we come to "The Lord is my Shepherd." We must by experience know the value of blood shedding, and see the sword awakened against the Shepherd, before we shall be able truly to know the Sweetness of the good Shepherd's care.

The Lord is My Shepherd

The first word of the psalm, “The Lord,” evokes rich images of the provision and protection of the covenental God. He promised to take care of his people and revealed himself to be full of love, compassion, patience, fidelity, and forgiveness. - VanGemeren

What does it say in

Exodus 34:6–7 AV

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

This is important to realize that we cannot fully appreciate unless we first appreciate . It is through that we can come to and call the King and the Creator of the universe the LORD my shepherd. We must come through the cross to be able to call God my shepherd. We must fully realize that there was blood shed so we can call God my shepherd. If you recall in

Ephesians 2:1–3 AV

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

The world likes to look at to see who God is, but they know nothing of him. There may be people in here who like but they have never fully realized

Ephesians 2:8–9 AV

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 5:8 AV

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8–12 AV

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Only by believing on Christ the good shepherd

John 10:14 AV

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Can we call the Lord my shepherd. Notice in the Psalms this is the first time we see the word Shepherd rather than King or Creator. David is using the term to be more personal. He is my Shepherd. Throughout the entire psalm David is using personal pronouns to show his personal relationship with the Shepherd.

Why is the Lord his shepherd? The Lord provides everything for David to the point where he does not want.

As it has been said in we are sheep. We need a shepherd. As I heard one pastor say, “Do you know what sin does to sheep? It makes him think he is a wolf.” Sheep cannot do anything for themselves. Sin cause sheep to think they can do it all by myself. We can live this life all by myself. Its so bad sheep if not sheered will fall over and die do to the weight of the wool. Sheep are helpless. Sheep if they are not shepherded will eat to much and die. If one gets scared then the entire flock gets scared. Sheep cannot do anything without a Shpeherd. We are much the same way.

Psalm 23:2–4 AV

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Look at ver

David realizes that he cannot do anything look at the pronouns in verses two three and four. They are all regarding the Lord as the shepherd. I cannot do this. We are incapable for caring for ourselves. We are incapable of caring for our physical needs just as we are incapable of caring for our spiritual needs. David uses two lines for our physical needs and two lines for our spiritual needs.

He not only cares for us in what we eat and what we drink but he takes cares of us to the point that we realize that life in the presence of God is good and worth living.

David causes us to see that God doesn’t stop there. He also guides us. The Shepherd leads his people down the paths of righteousness. Notice these paths do not make one righteous but these paths are right they are the ones that bring the sheep directly to their destination. These paths often are full of ravines and narrow slopes that keep light out but the Shepherd is constantly there. He is always there. He is bound by his name to be there.

Exodus 3:12–14 AV

And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Beause of his name he will keep all his promises.

Psalm 31:3 AV

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

Ezekiel 20:44 AV

And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

He is loyal to his people, for his honor and reputation are at stake. He is able to lead us with a rod a staff.

A shepherd's rod was a two-foot club made of oak, with a rounded head that was whittled from the knot of the tree and had sharp bits of metal pounded into it. This club was used to defend the flock against attacks. It pictures the shepherd's power, wielded against overpowering enemies. David said he had no fear in adversity because of the comfort of God's power, protecting him from that which would ruin him. And you need not fear. Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. ().

Your staff . . . comforts me, he said. He was referring to the shepherd's crook, with its hook on one end. A good shepherd would use it to guide the sheep, lest they stray away. Just a gentle tap of the staff on a lamb's side would move them back in the fold. And the crook could gather up a sheep from a place where it might have fallen. David felt comforted that his Shepherd was guarding his steps, making sure that he makes it through the darkness safely.

The Lord is My Host

Psalm 23:5–6 AV

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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.

We have looked at the Lord as my shepherd lets look at the Lord as my host. BEcause we are so familiar with the Psalm, we fail to realize that David also claims that the Lord is my host.

The Lord has prepared a table before me, he anoints my head with oil signifying that David is the honored guest, and not only is David the honored guest but the overflowing cup symbollizes the Lord giving his best to his child. We see the Shepherd providing for our physical needs with the “green pastures” and “still waters” here David uses the imagery of a banquet table to do the same thing. God will provide, but he will do it in the presence of your enemies. When adversities come, when trials in your life happen, when their is pain, heartache, and agony, the Lord has prepared a table for you. He will provide for you. He will love you in spite of ourselves. He will love us even in the midst of our adversity.

David draws from this imagery the fact that God’s goodness and mercy, translated love in other translations are constant. He is constantly good to us, he is constantly loving us, he is constantly being merciful to us, because he is my shepherd, and he is my host.

David knows this but in several of the Psalms we have looked at David says the enemies are pursuing him, here rather it is God that is pursuing David. David does not have to fear what trials tribulations or adversities come because God is always there.

Conclusion