Psalm 23
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A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, 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 runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Introduction
One of the Most Quoted Texts in the Bible
1. Six verses and 118 words that meet us in times of need
Six verses that so often bring comfort in times of need
2. Entered many sick rooms … dried many tears
Entered many sick rooms … dried many tears
3. But familiarity may keep us from daily help from this Psalm
The Location of This Favorite Psalm
4. Let’s get reacquainted with
B. The Location of This Favorite Psalm
What Makes This Psalm So Helpful to All Who Apply Its Message?
1. is the Psalm of the cross
is the Psalm of the kingdom
2. is the Psalm of the kingdom
3. Between Mt. Calvary and Mt. Zion are the green pastures and still waters of
C. What Makes This Psalm So Helpful to All Who Apply Its Message?
Body
Presenting the Shepherd (v. 1)
Presenting the Shepherd (v. 1)
“The LORD is my shepherd”
2. David had been a shepherd
David had been a shepherd
Was taking care of his father’s sheep when Samuel came to anoint him king
had been keeping the sheep while his brothers were at war, when he went down to meet Goliath
Was tending the sheep when he met the bear and the lion
3. Now he pictures himself as a sheep
Now he pictures himself as a sheep
The bible has a lot to say about sheep, and comparisons
a. Like lost sheep we are all gone astray ()
Like lost sheep we are all gone astray ()
Like lost sheep we are all gone astray ()
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
b. Jesus saw people as sheep without a shepherd ()
Jesus saw people as sheep without a shepherd ()
Jesus saw people as sheep without a shepherd ()
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
4. But this sheep has a great shepherd
But this sheep has a great shepherd
What the New Testament says about Jesus as shepherd
5. What the New Testament says about this shepherd
What the New Testament says about Jesus as shepherd
a. He is the good Good Shepherd who died for us ()
He is the good Good Shepherd who died for us ()
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
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b. He is the Great Shepherd who is risen for us ()
He is the Great Shepherd who is risen for us ()
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
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c. He is the Chief Shepherd who is coming for us ()
He is the Chief Shepherd who is coming for us ()
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Is the Lord Jesus Christ your shepherd?
Jesus said “my sheep know my voice”
Is He your source?
The voice you listen for? and listen to?
The one you run to in time of trouble? ()
The one you hide behind in times of danger ()
Providing for the Sheep (vv. 1–5)
Providing for the Sheep (vv. 1–5)
“I shall not want.”
Hebrew word “hsr” meaning “lack” , “run dry” “decrease, diminish”
This is the word used when Elijah told the widow that the oil would not “run dry”
The word used for lack in
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
God is enough
a. God is enough
God is enough
He is more than enough for all you will ever need
Many people lack becasue they have not trusted Him
This is also the same word used for “want” in
b. Not just, “I do not want” but “I shall not want!”
Not just, “I do not want” but “I shall not want!”
10 By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
wickedness and sin do bring poverty.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
3. He makes me to lie down in green pastures
a. This speaks of good food and rest
This speaks of good food and rest
We can rest in the Lord
Be Still and know that I am God
In the secret place of the most High, In His tabernacle
b. The green pastures are the Scriptures
The green pastures are the His provision
He is able to provide for those who trust in Him
We can show our trust through our faith, through tithing and offerings
Through acts of faith, and generosity
“the generous devise generous things...”
He feeds us through the Scriptures
The green pastures represent “good food” - not withered up, dried up scraps
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
4. He leads me beside the still waters
He leads me beside the still waters
The still waters speak of comfort and peace
a. The still waters speak of comfort and peace
When the Lord is our Shepard we need not fear -
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
Selah
1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
2 Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God,
“How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
2 Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God,
“How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
4 All the earth shall worship You
And sing praises to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name.”
Selah
5 Come and see the works of God;
He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
They went through the river on foot.
There we will rejoice in Him.
7 He rules by His power forever;
His eyes observe the nations;
Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves.
Selah
8 Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
9 Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to be moved.
10 For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
11 You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
12 You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
13 I will go into Your house with burnt offerings;
I will pay You my vows,
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
b. Water symbolizes the Holy Spirit ()
Water symbolizes the Holy Spirit ()
He restores my soul (Revives me when down or backslidden)
5. He restores my soul (Revives me when down or backslidden)
He restores my soul (Revives me when down or backslidden)
He Restores My Soul
He Restores My Soul
(Revives me when down or backslidden)
Thank God for Restoration!
Peter was in need of restoration after he denied Christ - And he found it
Jesus taught the need for restoration to those who seek it
He leads me in paths of righteousness (Guidance)
6. He leads me in paths of righteousness (Guidance)
He Will guide us, if we will follow
Said “take heed what you hear”
His ways are righteous!
He is certainly not leading you in a way that is not righteous
Too many Christians who are lead by their feelings and emotions instead of His Word and His spirit, fall into error here
God’s ways are altogether right.
Some people conclude that if God loves them, and forgives them, then He wants them to be happy, and so, they can do whatever they like, and its His leading. That is folly.
For his name’s sake (all for the glory of God)
7. For his name’s sake (all for the glory of God)
In everything He must have the preeminence
We must return to the Christ centered gospel
When we seek His glory, we will find the green pastures, and rest.
The valley of the shadow of death
8. The valley of the shadow of death
No need to fear because He goes with us
a. No need to fear because He goes with us
b. Only shadows where there is light (Christ is the light)
If God be for you, who can be against you.
When we really understand this truth, fear evaporates
9. The table prepared, the head anointed, the cup overflowing
The table prepared, the head anointed, the cup overflowing
God’s sheep know His voice
No one is able to pluck them from His hand
He will feed His sheep and care for His sheep
He does this openly, in the presence of everyone
Declared to angels, powers and principalities in heavenly places
It is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom, and to reward you openly
10. Goodness and mercy (Spurgeon: “Twin guardian angels at our back and beck”)
Goodness and mercy
(Spurgeon: “Twin guardian angels at our back and beck”)
God is good - all the way good
God is merciful - has no pleasure in the death of the wicked
If He is your shepherd, this goodness and mercy will certainly follow you all the days of your life.
Preparing for Eternity (v. 6)
Preparing for Eternity (v. 6)
C. Preparing for Eternity (v. 6)
“I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever”
The best is yet to come
2. The best is yet to come
What about your forever?
3. What about your forever?
Conclusion
The Shepherd Will Meet You, right where you are, Care for You and Give You Eternal Life
Make David’s Shepherd Your Own
The Shepherd Will Meet You, Care for You and Give You Eternal Life
The Shepherd Will Meet You, Care for You and Give You Eternal Life
Spurgeon: “While I am here I will be a child alone with my God; the whole world will be His house to me; and when I ascend unto the upper chamber I shall not change my company, nor even change the house. I shall only go to dwell in the upper story of the house of the Lord forever”