Summer in the Psalms (Week 1)
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Background on the Psalms
Background on the Psalms
The Psalms begin the last section of the Old Testament or Torah. You have the Pentateuch (encompassing the first five books of the Scripture), Historical Books, Prophets, and Writings.
Scholars believe that poetry such as the Psalms make up nearly 75% of the Old Testament Scriptures.
Poetry is clearly seen in the Psalms but is also present in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Job.
The Psalms themselves are broken into five books (1–41, 42–72, 73–89, 90–106, 107–150), and roughly half of the Psalms are believed to have been written by David. We don’t always know the exact occasion or circumstance for each Psalm he writes, which brings us to the first would like for us to look at together. .
One of the greatest beauties about the Psalms is their deep, genuine, raw emotion. They are authentic and real, almost too emotionally raw for Scripture, if that's possible. Which gives us a great opportunity to grow from in 2019.
Roughly 2/3 of the Psalms are laments. They are mourning the loss of something dear or one’s recognition of sin and need for God.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 5: Psalms (Revised Edition) W. Psalm 23: The Goodness of God
Psalm 23: The Goodness of God
This is a Psalm about the Goodness of God. Its lyrics pose the ideas of trust and confidence despite life circumstances. Some scholars conclude that the psalmist was a king who in his trouble was confident in Yahweh’s ability to deliver him.
The psalm expresses confidence in God’s goodness—in this life and in the life to come.
The personal way in which the psalmist speaks of God, the imagery of God’s soothing guidance, and the ensuing confidence in God have all been factors in making this one of the most charming and beloved of the psalms. The universal appeal of this psalm lies in the comfort it gives to those who have confronted the most difficult periods of life. It is a psalm of God’s strength and grace for all ages.
VanGemeren, W. A. (2008). Psalms. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms (Revised Edition) (Vol. 5, p. 252). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
There are two ideas presented as David reflects on God’s goodness.
1.) The Lord is a like a shepherd (vs. 1-4)
2.) The Lord is a like a host (vs. 5-6)
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concludes that the psalmist was a king who in his trouble was confident in Yahweh’s ability to deliver him.
The psalm expresses confidence in God’s goodness—in this life and in the life to come. The personal way in which the psalmist speaks of God, the imagery of God’s soothing guidance, and the ensuing confidence in God have all been factors in making this one of the most charming and beloved of the psalms. The universal appeal of this psalm lies in the comfort it gives to those who have confronted the most difficult periods of life. It is a psalm of God’s strength and grace for all ages.
VanGemeren, W. A. (2008). Psalms. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms (Revised Edition) (Vol. 5, p. 252). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
The psalm expresses confidence in God’s goodness—in this life and in the life to come. The personal way in which the psalmist speaks of God, the imagery of God’s soothing guidance, and the ensuing confidence in God have all been factors in making this one of the most charming and beloved of the psalms. The universal appeal of this psalm lies in the comfort it gives to those who have confronted the most difficult periods of life. It is a psalm of God’s strength and grace for all ages.
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.
VanGemeren, W. A. (2008). Psalms. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms (Revised Edition) (Vol. 5, p. 252). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
I want us to take a new look, a fresh look at this common Psalm.
vs. 1 Shepherd- See ; See ; See
The Lord (YHWH) is MY Shepherd. YHWH, the one who revealed himself to Moses as the great I AM. YHWH is MY Shepherd. There is an emphasis on MY here. The tendency was to acknowledge God corporately, in covenant with Israel as a nation, as a people. But here the psalmist personalizes it for each one of us as individuals.
I believe the Lord wants to personalize Himself to us. This is a tension I believe we must operate in both worlds, knowing the Lord and His Body, operating in the corporate nature in connection (as He designed us). But there is also this element of knowing Him personally, having intimate knowledge, first-hand experience of the Lord.
The Lord is MY Shepherd.
STORY (PHOTO): I don’t relate to being a shepherd. The closest I have come was when we bought a Pygmy Nigerian Dwarf Goat. Sunshine was her name, and he was still bottle fed when we received her.
But that is the closest to herding any animals I have ever come.
I have worked with kids since my parents founded KICKO nearly 25 years, and after taking kids to camp for 21 years I realize that herding kids is much harder than herding any animal.
Those first reading this would have been familiar with the metaphor of the shepherd. It was widely applied to kings and gods. David, himself, was familiar with being a shepherd.
11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
The New International Version. (2011). (1 Sa 16:11). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
The image of “shepherd” aroused emotions of care, provision, and protection. A good shepherd was personally concerned with the welfare of his sheep. Remember, as we discussed knowing God’s voice, we looked at and the idea of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
David says here that because the Lord is my Shepherd, I will want for nothing. I will have no lack. Everything I need will be provided because He is my Caretaker.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
10 “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
11 “ ‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.
12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.
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19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
24 I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
The Lord, my Shepherd…the one who provides everything I need. He lays me down in green pastures. When I am not sure where the next meal is coming from, I’m reminded I have no need to worry because the Lord is my Shepherd.
The “green pastures” are the rich and verdant pastures, where the sheep need not move from place to place to be satisfied (cf. ; ). These “green pastures” were a seasonal phenomenon. The fields—even parts of the desert—would turn green during the winter and spring; but in summer and fall the sheep would be led to many places in search of food. God’s care is not seasonal but constant and abundant.
Today is the day of God’s Goodness.
10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)