Your case is especially strong when you look at the rest of the verse. The querulous old man puts together all that he had gone through, finds it dark and disappointing, and concludes by saying, i am this day so and so, and i wish that i had never been born. Craigie goes on to connect this backward glance at the exodus with anticipation of future eschatological feasting at gods table. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a heavenly verily, or surely is set as a seal upon it. The second strophe contains words of lament verses 68, words of trust.
Goodness and mercy shall follow me as i pass on through the vale of life, thy goodness and mercy shall follow my every step. Preach this week craft of preaching wp app wp books bible index support. Just so were clear at the outset, when were talking about praising god we are not talking about repeating praise the lord over and over. The second part shows his confidence in gods grace, and his thankfulness, psalms 23. From three very comfortable premises david, in this psalm, draws three very comfortable conclusions, and teaches us to do. Though we may become cast down, our shepherd will seek us out to save us from ourselves. Indeed, psalm 23 is more about how a person lives in relationship to god than. Read commentary on this popular bible verse and understand the real meaning behind gods word using john gills exposition. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Even though i walk through the darkest valley, i will fear no evil, for you are with me. According to this order, which alone secures to the there fore at the beginning of ver. Psalm 23 is one of the bestknown and most oftenquoted passages in the bible.
Is there a discernible historical or social setting for this psalm. A wicked man, it may be, will turn into gods house, and say a prayer, etc. Apr 29, 2012 indeed, psalm 23 is more about how a person lives in relationship to god than how one faces death or finds security beyond the grave. Here is a summary of the lessons in this amazing psalm. A wicked man, it may be, will turn into gods house, and say a prayer. Over the centuries, no evil murderer or terrible tragedy has been able to crush the resilient. Psalm 150 gives us the where, why, how, and who of praise.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. The word for mercy can also be translated as love and. Psalm 23 explained discover the 66 books of the bible. The psalm ends with yet another nod toward life and living. Christs relation to his people is often represented by the figure of a. In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great pastor of the universe, the redeemer and preserver of men. Psalm 23 is a prayer for comfort, and possibly the most well known passage in the bible. We dont wrestle against an enemy who we can see or touch, but sometimes it feels like we are. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and i shall dwell in the house of the lord forever. There seems to be an allusion here to the waters of the rock smitten by the rod of moses, which followed the israelites all the way through the wilderness, till they came to. The image, in verse five, of wining and dining with god is a herbert favourite. He does not say, peradventure, but, surely psalms 23.
Descriptions of god such as those found in psalm 23 abound in the book of psalms. The net bible translates it this way very close to your translation. Psalms 23 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. We are talking about thinking andor speaking well of gods perfect attributes or great. Craigie particularly notes the similar language in psalm 78. But the psalms language and imagery may be more fitting for the season of easter when the church tries to discern how to live in light of christs resurrection. He shall pluck my feet out of the net he will deliver me out of all my temptations and tribulations. Mine eyes are ever toward the lord my trust is in him, and my expectation of relief is from him only. And, as in the foregoing psalm he represented christ dying for his sheep, so here he represents christians receiving the benefit of all the care and tenderness of that great and good shepherd.
Here is a prince of the blood royal of heaven attended by two body guards, goodness and mercy, which keep close. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me either the free grace, love, favour, and mercy of god in christ, which endures continually, and is always the same from everlasting to everlasting. Enrich your faith and grow in spiritual maturity with the incredible bible study and devotional books listed below. These two sections are like curtains pulled back beckoning us to step forward to explore what is hidden, disguised or just plain ignored. A translation with commentary kindle edition by alter, robert. Commentary by matthew henry the meaning of psalm 23 the divine shepherd psalm 23. Here is a prospect of the perfection of bliss in the future state. This verse may describe a gracious host as he provides a banquet for an honored guest, or it may continue the metaphor of the shepherdsheep relationship. This psalm began with the sheep, as it were, bragging across the fence to his neighbor. He expounds on the analogies and metaphors within the psalm beautifully revealing gods love for us. The book is actually a collection of 150 individual songs composed over a period of approximately years, from the time of moses psalm 90 to the postexilic period psalm 126. The able protector verse 4, is also the abundant provider. Psalm 23 commentary by jerome creach working preacher. Davids anointing by samuel see notes, or 2 2sa 1618.
There are a number of great commentaries on the book of psalms. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me god will bestow them upon me. Psalm 23, beautifully explained ambassadors for christ. The nasb update carri es on the nasb tradition of being a true bible translation, revealing what the original manuscripts actually saynot merely what the. Verses 1 6 from three very comfortable premises david, in this psalm, draws three very comfortable conclusions, and teaches us to do so. Regarding point 4, you have a very strong argument against forever, but i disagree with reading it as more time. Psalm 23 the lord is my shepherd thats relationship. He leads me beside the still waters thats refreshment. It is, if i am not mistaken, scougalthe author of that little book the life of god.
Often mistakenly attributed to the new testament, it is actually one of the psalms of david, as indicated in its superscription v. David knew this metaphor in a unique way, having been a shepherd himself. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is jehovah. At last he touches the tent rope of a desert man, and now he is a guest, and a guest is safe.
A hot, panting fugitive is fleeing for his life, pursued and hunted by the forces of a fierce revenge. Its most beautiful realisation is not here, though, but in love. He begins the first with this position, god is my shepherd. His liberality in supplying him with all that he needed, psalms 23. David expresses his conviction in this verse that the lords goodness will be with him throughout his life. Psalm 23 bible commentary matthew henry complete christianity.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures thats rest. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and i will dwell in the. The food and drink and peace that the lord gives according to what we learned in our psalm 23 2 meaning article leads to what we see here in the third verse of psalm 23. As the lord is the good shepherd, so we are his sheep, not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead us. Over the centuries, no evil murderer or terrible tragedy has been able to crush the resilient spirit of the jews, when they remember that you are with me verse 4. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of psalms. Psalm 23 commentary by nancy declaissewalford working. Even in the greatest dangers they may be confident of his support, 4. Perfect for anyone desiring a closer, more intimate walk with jesus, the loving shepherd. Psalms 23 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the. The idea begins as early as the book of genesis, where moses called the lord the shepherd, the stone of israel genesis 49. This verse closes the psalm as the psalmist reflects on the comfort that comes from living in the presence of the lord.
Gods goodness comes from his nature, not our worthiness v. Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Goodness and mercy having followed me all the days of my life on this earth, when that is ended i shall remove to a better world, to dwell in the house of the lord for ever, in our fathers house above, where there are many mansions. Through the course of the psalm, we went through the cycle of a year, and in this last verse, we find ourselves back again at the home ranch. Gods care in providing him with all necessaries, psalms 23. Verse 6 surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. State the meaning of psalm 23 by exegesis religion essay. In this last verse of the psalm david gives utterance to a grand assurance and. Psalm 23 30 literary commentary t he lord is my shepherd is probably the bestknown statement in the book of psalms. Now, in context, the sheep here is apparently returning to the shepherds house.
The book of psalms is one of the most beloved portions of holy scripture. Surely this is another of the psalmists inferences, and a very sure one. This verb bdb 996, kb 1427 is the very verb used of repentance. The lord is my shepherd he hath showed himself to be so by his gracious providences toward me.
Verse by verse commentaries by book precept austin. The bible teaching commentary journeying closer to god with a study in imagery paul j. Psalm 23 verse 6 surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. Psalms 23 commentary daily verse, scripture by topic. Now know i that the lord saveth his anointed these are probably the words of the priest after the victim had been consumed. If the marginalia of the masoretes are accurant, then the correct translation of the passage would be as follows. This psalm 23 devotional booklet is encouraging, comforting and inspiring. You can find the best commentary on psalms for you using the tools on the right side. Dayspring cofounder, roy lessin, beautifully writes an expanded, verse by verse, thought by thought, understanding of this mostbeloved psalm.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness thats guidance. David guzik commentary on psalm 23 explains this most well known psalm. Psalms 23 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. As the lord is the good shepherd, so we are his sheep, not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead us in the right place and in the right way. May god grant us grace to dwell in the serene atmosphere of this most blessed psalm.
Verse 1a declares, the lord is my shepherd and thus acknowledges god as the one who protects and guides. Verse 1a declares, the lord is my shepherd and thus acknowledges god as the. The food and drink and peace that the lord gives according to what we learned in our psalm 23 2 meaning article leads to what we see here in the third verse of psalm 23 3 he restoreth my soulstrength. To what setting described in other parts of the bible can you best connect this psalm. Under a metaphor borrowed from scenes of pastoral life, with which david was familiar, he describes gods providential care in providing refreshment, guidance, protection, and abundance, and so affording grounds of confidence in his perpetual favor. Thank god for books plenty of them books to make you study, books to waft you into reverie, books to make you weep, books to make you laugh. He prepares a table before me in their presence cf. The watercolor paintings will delight and evoke the warm and cool emotions of psalm 23. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant. The psalm is commonly used in the context of death and the funeral service. Heaven and then the last line of verse 6 reminds us of heaven.
Accordingly, a more accurate reading might be, surely goodness and mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life. The enemy pursues, but the lords people are safe in the shelter of the shepherds tent. This is a fact as indisputable as it is encouraging, and therefore a. Verse 5 shifts and the shepherd shows god blessing on the trusting faithful, verse 6 ends with the expression of confidence.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and i will dwell in the house of the lord forever. Sheep must be free from tension within the flock, fear from the outside e. The confidence they may have of his continual mercy, and their eternal happiness, 6 notes on psalm xxiii. A bright, colorful 6x5 board book by debbie bonzon, designed to help children learn and memorize psalm 23. Since the psalm is usually quoted in its king james translation or in one. No better description of this exists than psalm 23. This is the result of what is stated in the previous verses. The story is told of a mutual improvement class where it was a night for reading practice, and the reading was psalm 23.
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