Psalm 23
You can better understand the 23rd Psalm when you are acquainted
with The Shepherd.
The Lord is my Shepherd...
THAT'S RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want...
THAT'S SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures...
THAT'S REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters...
THAT'S REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul...
THAT'S HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness...
THAT'S GUIDANCE!
For His name sake...
THAT'S PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
THAT'S CHALLENGE!
I will fear no evil...
THAT'S ASSURANCE!
For thou art with me...
THAT'S FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me...
THAT'S SHELTER!
Thou preparest a table before me in
the presence of mine enemies...
THAT'S HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil...
THAT'S CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over...
THAT'S ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life...
THAT'S BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...
THAT'S SECURITY!
Forever..THAT'S ETERNITY
Confidence in God's
grace and care.
"The Lord is my shepherd." 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. With joy
he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of
sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a
skillful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of believers brought
back to the Shepherd of their souls. The greatest abundance is but a dry
pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what pleases the senses; but
to a godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments,
though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture. The Lord gives quiet
and contentment in the mind, whatever the circumstance is. Are we blessed with
the green pastures that God provides? Don’t think it enough to pass through
them, but let us abide in them. The consolations of the Holy Spirit are the
still waters by which the believers are led; the streams which flow from the
Fountain of living waters. Those only are led by the still waters of comfort, who walk in the paths of righteousness. The way of duty is
the truly pleasant way. The work of righteousness in peace.
In these paths we cannot walk, unless God lead us into them, and lead us on in
them. Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is the
consequence: let us then simply trust our Shepherd's care, and listen to His
voice. The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and
terrible affliction, or darkest situation that the psalmist ever could come
under. Between the part of the flock on earth and that which is gone to heaven,
death lies like a dark valley that must be passed in going from one to the
other. But even in this there are words which lessen the terror. It is but the
shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of a sword kill. It is a valley, deep indeed, and
dark, and miry; but valleys are often fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful
of comforts to God's people. It is a walk through it: they shall not be lost in
this valley, but get safe to the mountain on the other side. Death is a king of
terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When they come to die, God will rebuke
the enemy; He will guide them with His rod, and sustain them with His staff.
There is enough in the gospel to comfort the Christians when dying, and
underneath them are the everlasting arms. The Lord's people feast at His table,
upon the provisions of His love. Satan and wicked men are not able to destroy
their comforts, while they are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and drink of the
cup of salvation which is ever full. Past experience teaches believers to trust
that the goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their
lives, and it is their desire and determination to seek their happiness in the
service of God here, and they hope to enjoy His love for ever in Heaven. While
here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of His Spirit
and the joys of His salvation. But those that would be satisfied with the
blessings of His house, must keep close to the duties
of it.
*Notes taken from Matthew Henry’s Concise
Commentary
By: David Jones