Psalm 23 - COVID-19 Bible Study Survival Kit

(PSALM 23) David uses the metaphors of a shepherd and his sheep and a host and his guests to describe the Lord’s care for his people.

I. The Shepherd and His Sheep (23:1–4): The Lord takes care of his people like a shepherd cares for his sheep.

A. He provides for them (23:1).

▪To say that the Lord is the Shepherd is to say that He will work for me. Ogilvie asserts that “the secret to life in Christ is not out of work for Him, but the work He does in us, through us, and for us.” The sheep don’t look for the green pastures, the Shepherd does. The sheep don’t look for the flowing rivers of water, the Shepherd does. The sheep don’t look for a place of safety or security, the Shepherd does. Whatever the sheep need the Shepherd supplies. Whatever I need, God’s got it.

▪Knowing the Lord works for me relieves me of worry! Ogilvie says, “Worry never changed anything except the worrier!”

▪Worry tempts and prompts us to take things in our own hands. Our ultimate trust comes when we have a personal relationship with the Shepherd.

B. He provides peace for them (23.2)

▪Green pastures and still waters describe what the sheep need. Another translation says in the stead of “makes,” it uses “lets me rest…” The shepherd knows that “sheep will usually not lie down until they are fed and satisfied and have no fear.” In fact, some studies show that you can’t make a sheep lie down, you can’t kick it down, you can’t push it down, nor, can you press it down unless basic needs have been cared for.

▪The sheep will not lie down 1) unless it is free of fear, 2) its coat is cleared of any parasites that would disturb it if it were to rest in the green pastures, 3) if it’s hungry, or 4) without the knowledge of the presence of the shepherd.

▪The Shepherd leads the sheep “beside still waters” because the Shepherd knows that the sheep will not go close to running, fast-moving water because if pushed in or it falls in it would drown due to the heavy saturation of water in the sheep’s wool.

C. He renews their strength (23:3a).

▪"He restores me when I wander.’’ No creature will lose itself sooner than a sheep, so apt is it to go astray, and then so unapt to find the way back. The best saints are sensible of their proneness to go astray like lost sheep (Isaiah 53:6); they miss their way, and turn aside into by-paths; but when God shows them their error, gives them repentance, and brings them back to their duty again, he restores the soul; and, if he did not do so, they would wander endlessly and be undone.

He refreshes me, He revives me, He quickens me, He relieves me

II. The Guide and the Traveler (23:3b–4): The Lord guides his people.

A. He guides them along right paths (23:3b).

▪Because we need a guide & a leader.

a.Keller points out that “sheep are notorious creatures of habit. If left to themselves they will follow the same trails until they become ruts; graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes; pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and parasites.”

b.Contrary to popular opinion, sheep can’t just get along anywhere, they need direction. Sheep will follow one another in the same trails and ruts.

▪The leader will keep them moving to new ground. We can depend on the shepherd to guide decisions that will keep us in the center of His will. (“…for his name’s sake)

▪“The stubborn, self-willed, self-sufficient, proud sheep that persists in pursuing its old paths and grazing on its old polluted ground will end up a bag of bones on ruined land.”

B. He protects and comforts them (23:4).

▪(4a-b) Shepherd would take the flock to summer ranges. At this time they are alone with the shepherd. The valley was dangerous, Keller says, “Never did he take his flock where he had not already been before.”

▪A rod (symbolized authority) (taken from the lower trunk and upper roots of a sapling, including the roundness of where the roots were connected to the trunk-it was shaped to the shepherd specification- he spent hours practicing on how to throw it with accuracy); it was for the protection of the sheep and the shepherd.

▪A staff (a symbol of concern and compassion) (normally a long, slender stick, often with a crook or hook on one end). It identifies the shepherd as a shepherd. Only a shepherd carries a staff. It was used to care for sheep only. It will not do for cattle, horses or hogs, just sheep.

▪The staff had a 2-fold purpose: used to reach out and get hold of the wandering sheep; but also to keep the sheep together.

▪(4c)There were dangers, difficulties and delights while traveling in the high country. There were dangers of rampaging rivers in flood, avalanches, rock slides, poisonous plants, ravages of predators that raid the flock.

III. The Host and His Guests (23:5a): The Lord takes care of his people like a host cares for his guests.

▪(5) table – the prepared and grazed area by the shepherd; as well as it was a custom that a person could not be attacked while eating in another man’s tent. If you could just reach a friend’s tent-even though your enemies were in hot pursuit-you were safe at the table in your friend’s tent.

a.“Easterners are more generous in entertaining their enemies than their friends. They believe friends are always friends, but enemies must be won by means of hospitality…” Ex. 23:4 says, “If you meet your enemy’s o…going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.”

b.Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; for when you shall do these things for him, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord will reward you.”

c.Good deeds and kindness destroy enmity and bring enduring reconciliation. Acts speak louder and more powerful than words. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:16)

IV. The Physician and the Patient (23:5b): He anoints his head with oil.

▪Shepherds had a terminology, “summer time is fly time.” This was in reference to the hordes of insects that emerge in warm weather. All kinds of flies, gnats and parasites would trouble the stock and cause misery. To get relief from this agonizing annoyance the sheep would deliberately beat their heads against trees, rocks, posts; and run away and hide; some would lose weight; become blinded or even killed outright. Oil made of olive oil, spices and sulfur; once applied to sheep’s head there was immediate change in behavior. The aggravation, frenzy, irritability, and restlessness were gone.

▪Anointing – blessing (joy) of the Lord; cup – my life (cp. John 10:10)

Cup runneth over - my cup is overflowing - Emphasizing Yahweh’s generosity; He provides more than the psalmist needs.

V. The Prophet and the Promised (23:6): He shows them goodness and unfailing love (23:6).

Surely goodness and loyal love With Yahweh as his shepherd and host, the psalmist is confident that he will be protected by Yahweh’s unfailing covenantal love (Exod 34:6).

Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.

Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999. Print