The 23rd Psalm is one of the most widely known scriptures in the Bible. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. The devil wants you to feel guilty, but do not listen to him. The Psalmist puts rest and refreshment first because this is the way God deals with us so often. "He leadeth me beside the still waters" -- That's cool, peaceful refreshment! Moreover, Psalm 23 encourages everyone that whether it is life or death, happiness or sadness and abundance or shortage of anything, God is our excessive faith and confidence. Goodness and mercy will be following you everywhere, and you will spend eternity with God. God's goodness means that they have nothing to fear: whatever happens to them, God will be with them. Sheep need guidance to safe pastures, and we too need a Shepherd to guide us to safety and lead us to provision. It is a bit difficult to ascertain the exact time . We see this come to play as he stood before Goliath. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." The other part of the picture in these four verses gives the different methods that God uses in leading His flock; or, we might say, the various regions through which He leads them are described in order. He restored my soul = Thats Healing! forever. Learn more Is the 23rd Psalm[1] As guests of the Lord, we can dine safely, even in the presence of our enemies. God cared for the children of Israel with manna in the desert, and we can lie down and rest knowing God will provide abundant nourishment for us as well. It is not enough to sing and memorize the words of Psalm 23. God anoints your head with oil speaks of being filled with his presence daily. Even in the bleakest, blackest times of life, we dont have to fear harm because our God is with us. "Lessons From Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd." 1. Verses 1 and 2 explain how God is like a shepherd who provides and cares for His sheep. God is always in control of what is happening, but we also have free will. cup (which represents abundance)--are prepared for the child of God, who may feast in spite of his enemies, confident that this favor will ever attend him. The heavenly shepherd does not always keep His sheep from sorrow, but He is with them in sorrow. Psalm 23. oil--anointing oil, the symbol of gladness. Theres not one person on the planet who hasnt experienced some pain, disappointment or grief in their soul. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. And knowing him can only come when you spend time with him in prayer, worship, and through his word. ", and Bible resources, we can enjoy it so much. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). David expresses confidence and trust in the Lord by portraying God as a good "Shepherd" who both guides and blesses them. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. The restoration of the soul comes first; then the works of righteousness. Recently, I was reading through Psalms and scanned over chapter 23. 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 7 Tests to See if Your Worship Is Truly Christian or Pagan, 3 Bad Church Approaches to Good Money Stewardship, 5 Critical Rules to Teach Your Kids to Help Them Stay Safe, 4 Things You Should Know about Jesus Revolution, Jesus on Adultery: Its More Controversial Than You Think, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. It can also mean bringing back to repentance or rescuing from a lost state. Research source He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. 5 Lessons I Learned From Psalm 23 How To Rest Your Mind From Worrying | Day 1 God Wants To Restore You | Day 2 Feeling Lost And Confused? Her faith in him took away fear. The Lord is my Shepherd: Psalm 23 Explained, Jesus was the Shepherd who became a sheep, The 7 "I Am" Statements of Jesus Explained, 10 Bible Verses that Have Changed My Life. . Thats the ultimate blessing! Sarah Garrett is a passionate educator and founder of the Transformed4More Ministries that she runs with her identical twin sister. StudyLght.org. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Do we then make void the law through faith? asks the Apostle to the Gentiles; and then he answers his own question: God forbid: yea, we establish the law (Romans 3:31). A good place. God wants an intimate relationship with his children. Its been am amazing time for us. As I read the article, I, "I truly love reading this prayer, and been given insight on what it means. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. John 10:11 ESV - I am the good shepherd. Psalm 23 helps us see God as a father who leads his children on paths of righteousness, progress, and victory. He makes me to lie down in green pastures = Thats Rest! I have everything I need now, and everything I need in the future will be provided. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Your email address will not be published. In John 10:11, Jesus declared, I am the good shepherd. I shall not want, not because of what I've done or can do but because God loves me. Without a personal and deep-rooted relationship with God, you cannot know and understand his ways. Equipping Christian Women to Abide in God's Word. In ancient times, hospitality involved more than merely providing a meal for guests. So the sheep in this beautiful Psalm, the flock of the Lord, are those who follow Him. "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness" -- That's leadership and guidance in following God's will! Does it Matter That I Didn't Keep My Goals for Lent? Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Some people find reading commentaries on passages of scripture helpful. Beautiful Testimony. We don't have to worry or feel alone because He is with us at all times. Heres whybecause the Bible is a living document. 6. Verse 5. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = Thats Guidance! Restoration speaks of refreshing and renewal. Psalms 24. As I did, the familiarity faded, and I felt as though I was reading it with new eyes. When we go through difficult times, we dont need to be afraid because we know that our Shepherd is with us in the midst of it. The Lord is my Shepherd = Thats Relationship! 2. green pastures--or, "pastures of tender grass," are mentioned, not in respect to food, but as places of cool and refreshing rest. When we dont, its the same as choosing to be led by our selfish desires. This tends to rob us of the joy that can come from our relationship with God. But even there, the Shepherd is with us and we need fear no evil. It does not mean that He will provide for every thing we want, but for everything that we need. Another figure expresses God's provided care. 56). wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Back in the Bible times it was a great honor to get your head anointed with oil and so it's saying that even though we sin and can be really awful people, God still loves us and is ready to treat us like royalty. We learn it in Sunday school, see it in funeral programs, and notice it on church dcor. indeed! At feasts in Bible times, the heads of the distinguished guests were anointed with perfumed oil. Psalm 23 explained beautifully gives a picture of an intimate relationship with a heavenly father who knows and cares about you. We have need of nothing because our Shepherd provides everything. 1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. His rod and His staff comfort us; His law and His gospel contribute to our correction and support. Dont choose to camp out and wallow in your misery. The opening of Psalm 23 beautifully shows what we can gain from surrendering and allowing God to lead our lives. In the presence of mine enemies Who seeing, envying, and fretting at it, are not able to hinder it. I thank God for your inspiration. Enjoy! God bless you :). Why Did Pharaoh Tell Joseph to Enjoy the 'Fat of the Land'? 4Yea, 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. Amen. (2021, September 7). Praying will help you as well. When we do, look at what there is to gain! So, friend, do not worry about the future. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. At every turn, it reveals the close relationship David shares with his God. .. It shows us how God is a sustainer, a guide, a leader, a provider, the ever-present one, and an amazing host who has prepared a table of abundance before us to feast on. Truly, 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. For the more we know him, the more we become confident of his love, grace, and blessings. And it is written: As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come (1 Corinthians 11:26). ", 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.", John 4:35 - "Do not say 'yet four months and then comes the Harvest', for it [the harvest of souls. Her passion is to inspire, encourage, support, and build up faith in the heart of moms in their motherhood journey. All rights reserved. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = Thats Discipline! Has that ever happened to you? -- That's now and always -- for eternity! Another ancient custom of a host was to anoint the heads of guests with oil as they prepared to eat. 3. We Are Carriers of God's Presence & Glory!! Remember, the sheep are menare people. We may not always be able to see or understand, but we know that all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). Psalm 23 begins with a powerful statement of declaration by David about who God is to him. David did not call God a deliverer or a king, he was specific with the word Shepherd. Entirely and always reliant on our Shepherd, whether we realize it or not. "Lessons From Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd." Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 the First Week of Lent. Well, here is one commentary, one phrase at a time. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It simply fortifies our divine connection with our Lord. This verse also shows God as a guide who leads us through life on paths that honor his name and bring glory to him. These words are rich in their meaning as they speak of peace, comfort, security, guidance, and Gods unfailing love. David wrote Psalm 23 based on his experiences with God. He makes me lie down in greenpastures. He provides for us here in this world. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. 5) Psalm 23: Conclusion. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain. Can you trust him to shepherd you through life? Here is the picture of that blessed state in Revelation 7:16-17, They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. Is it just: "What you have" in your life? https://www.learnreligions.com/psalm-23-the-lord-is-my-shepherd-700375 (accessed March 1, 2023). The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. "Fear (Respect and honor) Him, in all your ways, and in the beauty of holiness." Let us meditate on the words, Thou preparest a table before me. The Lord prepares it; it is His. Let us look at this beautiful chapter in the Bible, Psalm 23 meaning and significance. In John 10:27, Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. When we submit to His will and His way, we can be sure that Hell guide us along the path that is best for us. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. As I read, three questions came to mind. Psalm 23 is one of the most popular and beloved psalms in the Bible. Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable chapters in the entire Bible. Very well explained. But if we live in the lie that we can do this on our own, we wander and drift away from our true source, looking for satisfaction in artificial places. Through this beautiful metaphor, Psalm 23 gives us invaluable insights into the character of God and His plan for His children. The Lord promises to lead us in paths of righteousness, in keeping with everything his name represents: holiness, love, faithfulness, wisdom, and more. During the valleys of life, you must remember the last two lines of this verse, that God is with you and will comfort you as you walk. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (Psalm 23:5-6). Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.". David knew this because he had come to see God as a personal shepherd to him. Last Updated: August 29, 2022 Psalm 23 He restores my soul. Article Images Copyright . But the day is coming when the Good Shepherd will call us to the great supper in His kingdom. David rested in the comfort that with God as his shepherd, he would walk through victoriously through the valley of the shadow of death. "He restoreth my soul" -- That's provision for revitalization and healing! "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" -- That's splendid contentment -- plenty of rest! David said he makes me to lie down in green pastures meaning that it is God that gives rest. Try it! (see John 10:11). The child didnt cry or resist. May He continue to guide and guard you in Jesus Name. The next time we sit at the table of the Lord, let us brush aside any thought that it is the table of the church. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. The enemy cannot stop the blessings of God in your life because God has chosen to bless you abundantly right before their watching eyes. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Verses 4 and 5 confirm this as well. Hence, he could clearly talk about his relationship and experience with God using the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep. Do not ask the Lord to Guide your Footsteps if you are not willing to move your Feet, Even though you cant see Him, GOD is there for you, When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you! If you are one of the 7% who will stand up for him, forward this with the title 7%. They challenged me. hallelujah ! 5, 6. Our soul is comprised of our mind, will, and emotions. (LogOut/ And by these blessings to which the great Shepherd leads us, we find our souls restored, the natural life invigorated, the spiritual life reborn. Here these tools represent Gods protection, care, and guidance, and not symbols of discipline as elsewhere in the Bible. # Walk in LoveWalk by Faith..Live by the Word..#. There will always be valley experience which can and will be restored. The clear implication of David's statement in Psalm 23:1 is that as one of God's sheep he will lack nothing which is necessary for his best interest. David through Psalm 23 talks about his personal relationship with God using the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep. When verses and chapters become familiar, we tend to not pay close attention to them. It is no wonder that this Psalm has been a great source of comfort and hope to many in trying times, difficult seasons of life, and even in the face of death. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and well-loved psalms in the Bible. Seriously. And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. This psalm shows us that David did not just tend sheep, but in that moment and season of his life, he could see and feel the hand of God present in his life. Someone or something will lead us through life. I shall not want because God, as a good shepherd, will ensure I have everything I need. You may be wondering, "What does Psalm 23 mean? In the darkest and most trying hour, God is near. This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; In Psalm 23 David also portrays the Lord as a gracious host. David ends this rich Psalm with a picture of Gods grace, presence, and favor following him all the days of his life. Psalm 23 (New King James Version)A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me to lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still waters.He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.Yea, 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.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Fairchild, Mary. Download this 11-page ebook on the seven keys to the Lords Prayer by entering your email address below. My cup overflows with blessings.Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,And I will live in the house of the LORD forever. He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment! Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. What Does it Mean That Jesus Was Gods Begotten Son? i. And then goes on to describe God as a guide, provider, sustainer, and protector. I shall not want = Thats Supply! We do not naturally belong to the Lord's flock. We can take comfort that he protects and guides us with His rod and staff, walking with us in the darkest of valleys. Four Reasons Why S.M.A.R.T. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = . For His name sake = Thats Purpose! "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" -- That's assurance of support and hope in danger! It talks about renewal and strength in every area of life. He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. Most account it to be a psalm of David's maturity, but with vivid remembrance of his youth as a shepherd. He is a faithful Shepherd that provides for His sheep (Matthew 6:33). Used with permission. ", wants. So true..what a beautiful promise that Jesus gave us..He is our Shepherd, we dont have to fear anything for He is with us.Even though we go through the valley of death. So, too, the very sheep of the Lord's pasture are to be oil-anointed guests. He leads me beside still waters. In spiritual communion with Him, the hungry heart finds food that satisfies. This article has been viewed 191,942 times. As believers, we tend to do the same thing. We want to keep sowing into you!Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Psalm 23, beautifully explained. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest! So how does change sound. I shall not want because I know God personally as my Shepherd. He leads me beside the still waters = Thats Refreshment! X The closing verse shows that the blessings mentioned are spiritual. Psalm 23 is so important to us today because it will speak to you in the good and bad times. There is much more you can draw from this beautiful Psalm. They carried a rod and staff to protect and correct their sheep; they beat off any beast trying to attack, and they prodded sheep who were going the wrong way to steer them back to safety. The Bible never changes, but it always changes something in us when we read it. Now understandsheep are not the smartest animals, so they need someone to take care of them, protect them, and even correct them. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (vv. Beautiful explanation of psalm 23, thank you! Also, Psalm 23 reveals the various parts of God to us his children. His creative power makes and keeps us (verses 13-18 . I have read this a few times before but this has touched me alot. Why read it again? Be encouraged today my friends of faith!Today's amaz. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; David acknowledges the reality that life sometimes takes us to dark and desolate places. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. We realize God governs both the large and small issues of life. ", looking for how to help someone else with this prayer, and instead I got help. paths of righteousness--those of safety, as directed by God, and pleasing to Him. This speaks of increase and being a blessing because you have more than enough. Psalm 23 explained beautifully - title photo. We can never stray so far that God's long arm of grace can't reach us. References Change). Then we shall lay aside the pilgrim dress and the sword and we shall put on the royal robe and sit down with Him. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Lets keep thinking about valleys for a moment. Moses and the Burning Bush Bible Story Study Guide, The Ultimate List of Christmas Bible Verses to Celebrate Jesus' Birth, General Biblical Studies, Interdenominational Christian Training Center. 1. Yea, though I walk: through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. According to Psalm 139, God's omniscience knows all about us (verses 1-6). Psalms 23:1-6. 5. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = Thats Security! God wants you to trust him at all times in all seasons of life while resting in the assurance that he is always with you. He renews my strength. [That boast is like: "I am weak but He strengthens me!"] These words are rich in their meaning as they speak of peace, comfort, security, guidance, and Gods unfailing love. Convicting, huh? Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord tor ever. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. The ideas in Psalm 23 about God being our Shepherd are still meant to resonate in our hearts. Even those who do not attend church have likely heard this psalm before. Psalm 23 KJV. The shepherd knows each sheep by name and the sheep knows his shepherds voice. The Power Of Confessing God's word on daily basis. His blessings span the years. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Whatever it brings, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. However bright our path, somewhere along the wayperhaps around the next turnsits the shadow feared of man. Unexpectedly, we may come to the deepest, darkest valley of allthe valley of the shadow of death. The psalms were originally written in Hebrew; the translation we're using here comes from the King James Bible, an influential 17th-century English translation in the Protestant Christian tradition. The opening of Psalm 23 beautifully shows what we can gain from surrendering and allowing God to lead our lives. This article received 13 testimonials and 97% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. When God calls, will you answer? This verse also talks about rest and comfort. Hospitality included the responsibility of protection. Copyright 2023 Megan Allen Ministries | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Psalm 23 KJV. Herestores my soul. Even when faced with death, we dont need to be afraid. Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. As the ancient shepherd led his sheep, his two shepherd dogs guarded the rear to keep straying sheep in the path of the shepherd and draw attention to the wounded and lost. He makes me lie down in green pastures . The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want (Lessons from Psalms 23) -ibelieve.com, Psalms 23 Commentary - biblestudytools.com, How to Find Daily Encouragement from 'the Lord Is My Shepherd' in Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want (Lessons from Psalms 23). Verse 2. Yea, though I walk: through the valley of the shadow of death, 6. Approved. You can start in the comment section below. Psalm 23 is a song of gratitude that tells David's relationship with God as his shepherd. This proclaims the metaphor of the psalm, that god is like our shepherd. With God leading us, we experience peace and provision. Who better than King David to describe his relationship with God using a shepherd and his sheep? Psalm 23 ends with these words And I shalldwellin the house of theLord forever. After all, If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Romans 8:31). It is a psalm that heals, delivers, comforts, and set free. David said I shall not want because God is my Shepherd and will always meet my needs. Each verse contains a promise of blessing that David had experienced and that we can share in, too . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. He knows each of our comings and goings, he knows every hair on our heads, he knows when even one of us is lost and has made every provision to find us through His Son Jesus Christ. Before David became king of Israel, he was a shepherd. And now the Shepherd leads on, not only beside the still waters of rest and the righteous paths of service, but through trouble and sorrow. When we look back over life, the trials are out-weighed by His love. Before David became king of Israel, he was a shepherd. That the good Shepherd protects us and saves us by diying on the cross. They know his voice and follow him. Green pastures also relate to the Word of God. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake (vv. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Psalm 23 is not just talking about David and his relationship with God, it speaks deeply about our personal relationship with God. Our Shepherd also leads us in the right way. I know my own and my own know me. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. She's also the creator of Healthy Christian Home, where she points to God's spiritual and physical nourishment through the natural world He has created. . Learn Religions. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.. He also knew that God would care for him just like a shepherd will care for his sheep. Sorry. You don't know who has you. No, was the prompt reply, I don't know, but you do. She didn't have to know, if father knew that it was all right. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. We eat it as the Israelites did in haste, staff in hand, and ready to march on. Here are some reasons why this Psalm is so important. Even on your worst day, you will see Gods blessings overflowing in your life if you look for them. About Mary. "Do not say it is yet four months and then comes the Harvest, for it [the harvest of souls] is now ripe" (John 4:35). they comfort me (v. 4). Prone to wander. We figuratively pitch our tent in the valley. A father was once holding his little blind daughter on his knee, when a friend who had called took her in his arms. On the contrary, His death for the sheep makes it forever sure. We may not know the why of many of our experiences, but we know that our Shepherd knows, and that is sufficient. The Shepherd supplies all our needs in the presence of our enemies.