Psalm 23

The Lord, My Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not

want.”

(Psalm 23: 1)

If Psalm 23 provides the If Psalm 23 provides the Solutions, what were the Solutions, what were the

Problems? Problems?

If Psalm 23 provides the If Psalm 23 provides the Solutions, what were the Solutions, what were the

Problems? Problems? Take a few moments and review Psalm

23 looking for the problems/concerns that the psalmist might have been experiencing prior to the writing of the psalm.

List them in your notebook and discuss briefly at your table.

Psalm 23 = Individual Psalm Psalm 23 = Individual Psalm ofof

Confidence Confidence The psalm has been called the “Shepherd’s Psalm” because of the dominant metaphor in the beginning.

Closer inspection reveals 3 scenes:

The Pasture (23:1-4): Shepherd-Sheep

The Banquet Hall (23:5): Gracious Host

The Sanctuary (23:6): Holy Lord

Shepherds & Sheep Shepherds & Sheep 101101

Main job of shepherd = food & waterSheep – not good at finding own foodBiblical Imagery:God the Father – Isaiah 40:10-11God the Son – John 10:1-16Elders – 1 Peter 5:1-4

A Day in the Life of a A Day in the Life of a Shepherd…Shepherd…In the morning the shepherd leads

forth his flock by calling them to himself.

In the field, he would often watch with dogs.

He would search for strays (responsible).

At least once per day, he would supply the flock with water from streams or wells.

In the evening, he counted each sheep by passing them “under the rod” (or his hand) as they entered the opening of the enclosure.

Sheep and goats kept together during day but separated at night.

Psalm 23: OutlinePsalm 23: OutlineDavid meditates on how the Lord leads him, using the emblem of shepherd/sheep (1-4).

David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5).

David confidently concludes that since the goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow him always he shall be drawn to communion with the Lord in the sanctuary(6).

Psalm 23A Psalm of David.

1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23A Psalm of David.

1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23: MessagePsalm 23: MessageUsing the settings of a pasture, banquet hall, and the sanctuary, David meditates on the many provisions of the Lord and confidently concludes that His persistent loyal love will draw him to communion with the Lord in the sanctuary.

Psalm 23Psalm 23David meditates on how the Lord leads him, using the emblem of shepherd/sheep (1-4).

David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5).

David confidently concludes that since the goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow him always he shall be drawn to communion with the Lord in the sanctuary(6).

Psalm 23Psalm 231The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

2a He makes me lie down in green pastures;

The Lord = my shepherd (“my feeder”)The food is spiritual = Word of God

(Pss 19 & 119; John 16; 1 Cor 2; Heb 5:12-14)

Q: How does he feed the sheep?A: By putting them in the best place for the

best food.

Quantity: He lacks nothing when God providesQuality: He has the best provisions (lush green

meadows of spring time)

Psalm 23Psalm 231The LORD is my shepherd, I shall

not want.2a He makes me lie down in green

pastures;The Lord leads him to the very

best provisions in life so that he is satisfied.

Quantity: He lacks nothing when God provides.

Quality: He has the best provisions (lush green meadows of spring time).

Provision of the Lord: Feeding

Psalm 23Psalm 232bHe leads me beside quiet waters.3a He restores my soul;He leads = He “causes” the leading to…

Quiet waters = “waters of rest” (nacham)

Restores = “to return; to turn back” (sheep wander; good shepherds heal/restore)

My soul = the whole person (Hebrews thought of the person as a soul, not having a soul.)

Psalm 23Psalm 232bHe leads me beside quiet waters.3a He restores my soul;The Lord leads him to complete

restoration (2b-3a)

Emblem: He leads him by placid waters

Truth: The Lord restores his soul

Provision of the Lord: Leading & Healing

Psalm 23Psalm 233bHe guides me in the paths of

righteousness for His name's sake.He guides = “lead by turning eyes

to a goal”Paths = tracks from something

that “rolled”Righteousness = “according to a

standard”“The Right Paths” – a good

shepherd knows the “right” way/path to travel.

Psalm 23Psalm 233bHe guides me in the paths of

righteousness for His name's sake.WHY????For His name’s sake = “for the

sake of His name (reputation)” = all that He stands for.

The reputation of the shepherd is built and maintained by his continued good guidance and care of the sheep.

Provision of the Lord: Guidance

Psalm 23Psalm 233bHe guides me in the paths of

righteousness for His name's sake. The Lord leads him in the right paths

because of His reputation (3b).

Truth: He leads him in the right paths

Reason: His reputation (“name”) depends on it

Provision of the Lord: Leading & Healing

Psalm 23Psalm 234Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Fear – David fears the Lord, not adversity

You are with me = reason for confidence

Note shift from 3rd to 2nd person here

Cardinal doctrine of Bible: I am with you

(see Genesis 28:15; Exodus 3 & 6; Matt. 28)

Psalm 23Psalm 234Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Even though = a real possibility“Valley of the shadow of death” = difficult

Valley is modified by the phrase “death shadow”. Possibilities:

Extremely dangerous placeDeath is haunting his course of lifeLife-threatening situation

Psalm 23Psalm 234Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Rod & staff = bring care and protectionPoetry balance: 1) in dangerous times he is not afraid because the Lord is with him and 2) the Lord’s rod and staff bring him comfort.

Provision of the Lord: Protection

Psalm 23Psalm 234Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

The Lord leads him through life-threatening circumstances (4).

Danger: He may go through life-threatening circumstances

Confidence: The presence of the Lord dispels fears

Emblem: The Lord’s rod & staff comfort him.

Psalm 23Psalm 23David meditates on how the Lord leads

him, using the emblem of a shepherd/sheep (1-4).

David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5).

David confidently concludes that since the goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow him always he shall be drawn to communion with the Lord in the sanctuary(6).

Psalm 23Psalm 235Thou dost prepare a table before me in

the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Prepare a table = “set in order” (as with dishes and food on the table) {Provision}

Before me = “towards my face” In the presence of my enemies = “in

front of those that hem me in” {Security, even in the midst of trouble}

Psalm 23Psalm 235Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Anointed = “to make fat” = symbol of abundance and prosperity

Oil = symbol or hospitality and joyMy cup = your lot in life; what you are given to “drink”. Imagery here is saturation/full.

Provision of Lord: Protection

Psalm 23Psalm 235Thou dost prepare a table before

me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

The Lord prepares a banquet table for him in the presence of his enemies = sustenance in time of need.

The Lord anoints his head with oil = rejoicing in time of need.

The Lord makes his cup run over = abundant provision in his portion.

Psalm 23Psalm 23David meditates on how the Lord leads

him, using the emblem of a shepherd/sheep (1-4).

David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in a banquet hall (5).

David confidently concludes that since the goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow him always he shall be drawn to communion with the Lord in the sanctuary(6).

Psalm 23Psalm 236Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD.

Surely = introduces an expression of truth

Goodness & lovingkindness = to be taken together as Yahweh’s “good loyal love”

Lovingkindness = “hesed” = determined faithfulness/love in a relationship or covenant

Will follow me = “ongoing pursuit”6a = His observation about the Lord

Psalm 23Psalm 236Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD.

6b = His decision I will dwell = same word as “restore” in 23:3

I will dwell = Many hold for “return” here

This would convey that David has been away from the sanctuary meditating on the provisions of the Lord thus prompting his desire to “return”.

Forever = “for the length of days”

Psalm 23Psalm 236Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD.

Conclusion: The goodness and loyal love of the Lord will persistently follow him everywhere.

Result: He shall be drawn to the house of the Lord for the length of his days.

Psalm 23: The Lord, My Psalm 23: The Lord, My ShepherdShepherd

FeedingLeadingHealingGuidingProtecting

Psalm 23A Psalm of David.

1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

 5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23

The Lord, My Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not

want.”

(Psalm 23: 1)

Psalms Bible Study: 7:00-Psalms Bible Study: 7:00-8:45pm8:45pm

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