Welcome back to Bible Study Wednesday! This year God has pressed upon my heart to study the book of Psalms. Each Wednesday we take a closer look at a new chapter. Today we are going to chapter 23. I know it is a familiar passage, but if you have not done so, please take the time to read through these 6 verses. I will be sharing some thoughts about today's passage and break down this chapter below. Please pray and ask Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes and ears to receive everything He has to teach you in today's passage. Let's begin!
Verse 1
David begins this psalm declaring the LORD is his shepherd. We all know David was a shepherd boy. He was tending sheep when they called him to meet the prophet Samuel and was anointed king over Israel. He was looking after sheep when his father told him to take some food to his brothers and check on them, not realizing David would slay the giant Goliath. This is a special picture of God through David's eyes. He knows the commitment and the dedication it takes to be a good shepherd. A good shepherd will take care of the sheep's needs. They will not desire food, water, or shelter because the shepherd will provide. In Psalm 80:1, it says this, "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Jospeh like a flock; Thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth." Another reference to God being the Shepherd of our souls. Jesus even called Himself the Good Shepherd. John 10:11 I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. We know that Jesus did give His life for the entire world, for whosoever will accept the gift of salvation.
David declares that since God is his Shepherd, he will not want. That does not mean he will get everything he wants. It means that God will meet David's needs. David does not have to go without necessities in life. It may seem like some of our needs do not get met as quickly as we like, or in the way we would like, but God is our Shepherd and He will take care of us.
Verse 2
This verse has two parts. The first statement is that God provides green pastures. This is indicative of blessings and abundance. If you think like a sheep, a pasture full of lush, green grass would be delicious. You could eat to your heart's content and still have plenty. This is again, David referring to the providential hand of God. Psalm 65:11-13 Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; and Thy paths drop fatness (abundance). They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing. What a picture! The overflow of God's goodness. He is saying the low spots, the valleys, are covered over with corn. There is goodness even in the low spots. There is rejoicing and singing. It is a time of blessing and provision. Isaiah 55:11-13 So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing wherto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn, shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Instead of thorns you get pine cones and instead of briers you get dainty leaves that are green year round, and in summer you get star-like blossoms and the fragrance fills the air. Instead of receiving painful things, we receive useful and beautiful things. Wow! I love that!!
Part two of that verse says God leads us beside still waters. Sheep do not trust fast-flowing water. They will die of dehydration before they put their face in rushing water. They know they cannot swim well and it is a source of danger to them. The wool becomes heavy when soaked and the water bed is usually rocky and uneven. It would be easy for a sheep to topple over and drown. A good shepherd would never lead a thirsty flock to such a stream for the sake of letting them drink. Instead, they will take the sheep to calm waters.
This is the same for us. God leads us as the Good Shepherd. He does not intentionally take us into dangerous situations. Sometimes we have to cross rushing water, or tread along unsteady rock beds, but we know if He takes us through such circumstances it is for our protection and for our good. He will lead us beside the still waters as often as possible. We know that if He is leading, the path is safe as long as we follow where He leads.
Verse 3
Again, this verse contains two different parts. First, He restores our soul. When we are weary, and we have done everything we knew to do, we can become fatigued. The journey is long and hard when we choose Jesus as the Shepherd we follow. It is worth it, because of the benefits. Jesus restores our soul, which means He rebuilds it back to the original condition. Think of how one might restore an old car. There is a lot of work that goes into putting it back like it was. Sometimes the hard roads we travel seem nothing like the peaceful streams we read about in the Shepherd's psalm, but we have to remember, God is fixing some things in our lives. He is putting us back together. When we veer off the right path, He restores us back to where we belong.
Part two of this verse says, "He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." He does not force us back into the right path, He leads us there. He leads by example. He goes ahead of us and leads the way. He shows us what choices to make and gives us wisdom. David says in Psalm 5:8 "Lead me, O LORD, in Thy righteousness because of mine enemies: make Thy way straight before my face." Have you prayed that prayer? I know I have. I wanted God to put me in right standing with Him so that others who mocked me and ridiculed me would know God was ordering my steps. When God leads us onto paths of righteousness it is for His name's sake. The world will take notice that we are going in a different direction. We do not accept the same invitations. We do not partake in the same activities. We are different because we are on the righteous path of God.
Verse 4
This verse has been used in songs, movies, spoken at funerals and in times of great distress. There is a lot of comfort in this verse. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we do not have to be afraid. Yes, the Good Shepherd will lead us through this valley many times through the course of our lives, but we do not need to fear. Why? For You, God, are with me. You comfort me with Your rod and staff. But what are those things, the rod and the staff?
The rod is for protection. The rod would be used on predators trying to devour the sheep. God gives us protection from our enemy as well. It has been said that shepherds used it to count sheep. The rod would be extended and the sheep would go underneath it one by one. It reminds me that the Good Shepherd will leave the 99 to go after the one lost sheep. How would it know there were any missing if it did not count the sheep? Each one mattered to the shepherd. We can be assured each one of us matter to our Good Shepherd as well. Matthew 18:12-13 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Such a beautiful picture of God's love and protection to us.
In Psalm 16:8, David says, "I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. And in Isaiah, what a loving promise we find. Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. We can say that is all metaphorically speaking, but if we turn to Daniel 3:25, we read, "He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. God will literally be with you and with me in each and every circumstance of our lives. He will lead us and guide us and protect us.
The staff is for guiding the sheep along the path the shepherd would take them on. He would use the curved top of the staff to rescue a sheep gone astray. Perhaps David recalled the times he would lean on the staff as he tended sheep. It was a great source to steady oneself on rough terrain and it would serve to support the shepherd. God is that staff for us. He guides us and pulls us back to safety. He also supports us and gives us a steady gait when navigating rough roads.
Verse 5
This particular verse has three main points. First, the LORD prepares a table before David in the midst of his enemies. God will spread a banquet table out for us to eat and enjoy while those who tried to discourage us and destroy us watch. He will give us the blessings and provision we have already read about in this passage so far. We will not eat and partake of these blessings in a prideful way, but we will humbly thank God for the blessings and He will lift us up when the time is right. 1 Peter 5:5-7 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the Mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
The second part of this verse is He will anoint your head with oil. What is the significance of that? To honor a guest, one would anoint their head with oil. We read in Luke 7:44-47, Jesus had just been anointed with oil by Mary and her perfume in the alabaster box. The guests at the dinner party Jesus was invited to were all treating the woman with disdain and disrespect. Jesus had something to say to defend her and to let Simon and the others know they were wrong. "And He turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for My feet: but she hath washed My feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss My feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed My feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. David says his head is anointed with oil, indicating he feels like an honored guest at the table of God.
The third part of this verse is David's cup running over. If you have ever watched a young child pour a glass of milk, they are sort of unsteady and are learning when to stop pouring. Sometimes the child pours too much and the milk runs over spilling out onto the table or floor. David feels so rich with God's blessings and provision, he says his cup is running over. Today we enjoy the same treatment by our Heavenly Father. He sits us at His table and feeds us all the good and healthy things in front of the enemy who works against us. He anoints our head letting the devil know we are His chosen and anointed vessels. Then God fills our lives to overflowing with good things so it can spill over onto those around us. Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy Name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. In Psalm 16:11, David says, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Jesus said, in John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. David's joy was running over it was so full.
Verse 6
David has confidence in God as His Good Shepherd. He knows that goodness and mercy, or loving kindness, will be David's traveling companions the rest of his life. What do you feel are your traveling companions? Sometimes it may feel like pain and suffering, or hardship and strife, maybe even loss and grief are constant companions to us in this life. We know that hard times do not last always when we serve the Risen King Jesus. David decided no matter what the circumstances of his life looked like, he would choose God's goodness and mercy to follow him.
In this life we have suffering and trials, but the good news is this life is not all there is. In fact, this life is fleeting. Remember what James said? James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow, For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. David knew he would dwell in the house of the LORD forever! We have the same assurance if Jesus is our Savior. Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
We all have the promise that we will live with King Jesus forever more one of these days! We may endure hardship in this life now, but soon it will all be forgotten when we behold the glory of God and His majesty. We will know it was all worth it to look upon His face. To know that Jesus has paid the ultimate price for us to live with Him in eternity, will cause us to forget the toil and strife of this life. What a day that will be!
I hope you have enjoyed studying the Shepherd's Psalm with me today. What is your favorite part? God bless you!!
~Bridgett Owens
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