Psa. 23:0
¶ A psalm of David.
Psa. 23:1
¶ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Psa. 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
Psa. 23:3
he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s
sake.
Psa. 23:4
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.
Psa. 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head
with oil; my cup overflows.
Psa. 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will
dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Introduction
The threefold testimony, I shall lack nothing (1), I will
fear no evil (4) and I will dwell (6) encapsulates the psalm, dividing it into
three parts: the sheep and the Shepherd (1-3), the traveler and the Companion
(4) and the guest and the Host (5, 6), respectively teaching the providence of
God, appointing life’s experiences, his protection over life’s pathway, and his
provision now and always.
It is not the inexperienced shepherd poet because the writer
of the song experienced the valley of death and had enemies. It is the voice of
God’s Spirit in the experienced King, David.
1. The Shepherd and
The sheep (vv. 1-3)
A. The Lord’s is my shepherd (v. 1)
·
Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd
for provision, guidance, and protection.
·
The N.T calls Jesus the good shepherd (John
10:11), the great Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4).
·
The verse does not focus on the sheep or himself
but the great shepherd, the Lord.
·
The great shepherd, Jesus, came to the world to
find the lost flock, sinners. That’s why, we celebrate Christmas. Christ chose
to become our shepherd.
·
Can you say, “The Lord is my Shepherd”?
·
If not, the gospel has not yet fulfilled its
mission in your heart and life.
·
The warrant is not in yourself, but in your
Savior; not, “I am one of Christ’s flock,” but, “He is my Shepherd.”
·
If you can say this, then you may fearlessly
cast all your care on him, and finish the verse, “I shall not want.”
B. When we allow God, our
shepherd, to guide us, we have contentment (V. 1b, 2,3)
·
The Lord chooses the path for us.
·
As the Lord is the good shepherd, he knows what
he is doing and where he is leading us. He never makes a mistake.
·
Rom 8:28 – He is doing the best for us.
·
He chooses the path of righteousness or character
development than our comfort.
·
When we choose to sin and go our own way,
however, we cannot blame God for the environment we create for ourselves.
·
Our shepherd knows the green meadows and
peaceful streams that will restore us.
·
We will reach these places only by following him
obediently.
·
Rebelling against the shepherd’s leading is actually
rebelling against our own best interests.
2. The traveler and
the companion (v. 4)
·
In contrast with the joyous experiences of the
sheep (1-3), the pilgrim pathway traverses harsher terrain.
·
Although we are believers, we are not exempted
from suffering.
o
Jesus was suffering at the garden of Gethsemane.
o
Paul was requesting God to take away thorn from
his flesh but God says that “my grace is sufficient for you.”
·
Shadow of death is really ‘deepest darkness’
which includes, of course, the darkness of death.
·
But in these experiences the he of vs 1-3 becomes
the you, significant of closer personal touch, and the leader (2) comes
alongside (with me).
·
The darker the shadow, the closer the Lord! And
he brings every strength, rod and staff. The duplication denotes completeness.
Rod (taltum) (Lv. 27:32) possibly
signifies protection; staff (kinghrol),
possibly, support (Ex. 21:19).
·
When John Wesley lay dying, many of his friend
came to visit him. Strong Christians as they were, they were anxious to encourage
him with the promises of God. At one point, however, Wesley raise himself in
the bed and with special energy side to them: “Yes, tall these promises are
true. But best of all, God is with us.
The Great shepherd, Jesus is with us always.
3. The guest and the
Host (vv. 5, 6)
·
In ancient Near Eastern culture, at a feat, it
was customary to anoint a person with fragrant oil.
·
The anointed head speaks of the Lord’s welcome;
the overflowing cup his lavish provision.
·
But this goodness and love will continue as long
as life lasts (lit. ‘to length of days’) and beyond there lies the house of the
Lord forever.
·
God’s goodness and love always welcome you as
you are.
·
Dwell is a traditional adjustment of the Hebrew
text and may be correct, but lit. ‘I will return to the house’, i.e. when
earth’s paths (2, 3), valleys and threats (5) are over, there comes the real return
home.
Conclusion
1.
The Lord is our good shepherd who gave his life
for us.
a.
He always leads us the best place for us.
b.
Let us obey and follow him.
2.
Sometimes, the path that the Lord leads us full
of harsher terrain. Don’t be afraid. If he allows you to go there, he is always
with you. He never leaves you alone.
3.
Even if we make a mistake, he always welcome us
with his love and grace. Thus, his goodness and love will follow us all the
days of our lives. Moreover, when the earth’s paths, valleys and threats are
over, there is home that we will go.
________________
December 30, 2017
Dr. Za Hlei Thang teih inn ih ka simmi a si.
Reference:
J.A. Motyer, New Bible
Commentary
New Living Translation Study Bible
Pulpit Bible Commentary
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