psalm 23 explained beautifully

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." In the parable of the lost sheep Jesus says: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? Amen. The writer paints an enticing picture of who God is to him and uses metaphor to relate his experiences while walking with God. Goodness and mercy will be following you everywhere, and you will spend eternity with God. Even on your worst day, you will see Gods blessings overflowing in your life if you look for them. At feasts in Bible times, the heads of the distinguished guests were anointed with perfumed oil. David portrays God as a loving shepherd, a role the psalmist would have been deeply familiar with, as much of his boyhood was spent caring for his fathers sheep. Psalm 23 shows us how much God cares about us even when we go through challenges. i would just like to ask for permission to share it.. then ill just include that its from this site and Georgy (you?).. Face it, the Lord is crazy about you. In the last two verses of the 23rd Psalm we read: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. ", wants. "Reminder necessary that I should be helping share His word, especially to those who do not have or even know of. John 10:11 ESV - I am the good shepherd. "I will fear no evil" -- That's knowing you are protected even at your lowest hour! His omnipresence encircles us (verses 7-12). But here's what we need to understand: we can't see God as Shepherd if we don't see ourselves as sheep. I thank God for your inspiration. Titus 1:7 ESV - For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. Thats Hope! Enjoy! 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. (see John 10:11). He leadeth me beside the still waters = Thats Refreshment! Now notice the next sentence in the text, My cup runneth over. God's blessing here and hereafter is more than we can receive. Thats right! He wanted to depict the marvelous work of God in his life and encourage many believers with his testimony. He restores and heals our minds and emotions, renewing and strengthening our very lives! Even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favorite at funerals, weddings, and other religious events. May Our Lord Jesus, The Good Shepherd give us more insight of the Word God so that we can share with others. Our soul is comprised of our mind, will, and emotions. "Have faith in GOD!" Is it just: "What you have" in your life? Rest in the green pastures and refreshment by the still waters are to fit us for work. What is sufficient? It is memorized and repeated in all lands. So how does change sound. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. '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. I shall not want = That's Supply! Log in. But the day is coming when the Good Shepherd will call us to the great supper in His kingdom. The heavenly shepherd does not always keep His sheep from sorrow, but He is with them in sorrow. Lectionary Calendar. 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. We can take comfort that he protects and guides us with His rod and staff, walking with us in the darkest of valleys. 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. 4. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. The Shepherd supplies all our needs in the presence of our enemies. 25 Bible Verses for Funerals and Sympathy Cards, 23 Bible Verses to Help You Manage Stress. Has that ever happened to you? ; I shall not want. Why read it again? Also, Psalm 23 reveals the various parts of God to us his children. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. That is, he helps us to find food, water, work, love, friends and all that we need. forever. A father was once holding his little blind daughter on his knee, when a friend who had called took her in his arms. Entirely and always reliant on our Shepherd, whether we realize it or not. 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. 2He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. I shall not want = That's Supply! God's goodness means that they have nothing to fear: whatever happens to them, God will be with them. No one can rest in mind and heart until the weight of a guilty conscience is removed. When we see it in our Bibles, it can be tempting to think,Oh, I know what this says already. Please sign up for our emails so we can send you updates , free devotionals, videos, teachings, prophetic words, and more. Psalm 23 the lord is our shepherd, and we shall never want. And then goes on to describe God as a guide, provider, sustainer, and protector. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; In Psalm 23 David also portrays the Lord as a gracious host. "Truly, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" -- That's about. The enemy cannot stop the blessings of God in your life because God has chosen to bless you abundantly right before their watching eyes. 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 was the teenage boy who was called on from tending sheep and anointed king before his family. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. A forward mail. Yea, though I walk through the valley of t he shadow of death = Thats Testing! Article Images Copyright . We learn it in Sunday school, see it in funeral programs, and notice it on church dcor. These words are rich in their meaning as they speak of peace, comfort, security, guidance, and Gods unfailing love. David did not call God a deliverer or a king, he was specific with the word Shepherd. So the sheep in this beautiful Psalm, the flock of the Lord, are those who follow Him. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. We are not saved by our works, but we work because we are saved. 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. Some of the keywords used in this Psalm include green pastures, restore, still waters, cup, overflow, paths of righteousness, namesake, valley of the shadow of death, table, comfort, thy rod and thy staff, goodness, and mercy. He restoreth my soul = That's Healing! Today, you too can boldly declare that the Lord is my Shepherd. Sheep need guidance to safe pastures, and we too need a Shepherd to guide us to safety and lead us to provision. Recently, I was reading through Psalms and scanned over chapter 23. Psalm 23 helps us see God as a father who leads his children on paths of righteousness, progress, and victory. The Lord is my Shepherd = Thats Relationship! "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness" -- That's leadership and guidance in following God's will! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lets Keep in Touch And all enemies will be gone forever. He restored my soul = That's Healing! Without a shepherd to protect and guide them, sheep are easy targets for predators. Whatever it brings, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = Thank you! Research source "My cup runneth over" -- That's His abundance flowing to you and out to others! And by these blessings to which the great Shepherd leads us, we find our souls restored, the natural life invigorated, the spiritual life reborn. The Psalmist puts rest and refreshment first because this is the way God deals with us so often. Psalm 23 is one of the most dearly loved, soul-comforting passages of Scripture. This Psalm happens to be one of the most memorized and remains an all-time favorite chapter of the Bible. It is a calming assurance that comes with choosing to abide daily in Gods presence. "Forever." How can I share this on my Facebook page for all my friends to read? As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Sorry. "For His namesake" -- That gives a higher purpose for life! Throughout the chapter, he addresses God by name. 4. the still waters--are, literally, "waters of "stillness," whose quiet flow invites to repose. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. 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. We often hear it recited at church or during times of mourning, yet its more than just a beautiful, poetic stanza. Do you have a prayer request? Sometimes we stray from the Lord, too. Verses 4 and 5 confirm this as well. Put one foot in front of another while asking the Lord to provide a way out. As I read the article, I, "I truly love reading this prayer, and been given insight on what it means. 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. Does it Matter That I Didn't Keep My Goals for Lent? So, even when we walk through the valleys of life and death is staring us in the face, we are not afraid knowing that God is with us and will shield and protect us from danger and evil. There are 40 days til Easter! Before David became king of Israel, he was a shepherd. This article has been viewed 191,942 times. Listen to this beautiful song titled Psalm 23 by the Zoe Group. At every turn, it reveals the close relationship David shares with his God. The bible calls us the sheep of his pasture. The opening of Psalm 23 beautifully shows what we can gain from surrendering and allowing God to lead our lives. Verse 3. 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. He makes me lie down in greenpastures. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. To God be the Glory! God was like a shepherd to David, and David was like a sheep to God. I thought this was pretty special, just like YOU!!! 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. I can rest and be at peace because He is a good Shepherd. Compare in several popular Bible translations: (King James version)A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:He leadeth me beside the still waters.He restoreth my soul:He leadeth 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 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.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Very well explained. The imagery of God as a shepherd is common throughout the Old Testament. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." All believers can say, "We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3). foryou are with me, yourrod, and your staff, The Lord is My Shepherd Blessings, Provision, and Abundance, David ends this rich Psalm with a picture of Gods grace, presence, and favor following him all the days of his life. Change). We can trust our lives to the Lords safekeeping. The Lord not only supplies our needs but blesses beyond the measure we can contain. Verse 1. All rights reserved. When the apostle Paul stood before Nero, he was not alone. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Read my full disclosure. I shall not want, not because of what I've done or can do but because God loves me. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Our faith in God must not be only when the times are good. meaning it was his reality and he rested in this truth Gods goodness and mercy were following him through his lifes journey on earth. 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. 2. green pastures--or, "pastures of tender grass," are mentioned, not in respect to food, but as places of cool and refreshing rest. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = Thats Security! So when David says "I shall not want" he is acknowledging how completely reliant he is one God as his Shepherd. The Word of God always has something new to teach us, even if its from a familiar passage. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. There will always be valley experience which can and will be restored. Psalm 23, beautifully explained. This speaks of increase and being a blessing because you have more than enough. 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, He leads me beside the still waters = Thats Refreshment! We can rest and relax knowing that God is taking care of us. % of people told us that this article helped them. Thank God- Well, here is one commentary, one phrase at a time. Psalm 23 (New Living Translation)A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.He lets me rest in green meadows;He leads me beside peaceful streams.He renews my strength.He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.Even when I walk through the darkest valley,I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.You honor me by anointing my head with oil. He was fearless knowing that God was with him, and his victory was assured. The writer paints an enticing picture of who God is to him and uses metaphor to relate his experiences while walking with God. David said he makes me to lie down in green pastures meaning that it is God that gives rest. It is a psalm that heals, delivers, comforts, and set free. Jesus said, as we read in John 10:27, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.. Without a personal and deep-rooted relationship with God, you cannot know and understand his ways. Is your relationship with God intimate enough for you to boldly call him your Shepherd? At times sheep stray from their shepherd. That is, God leads us into work, into service for Him. He leads me in the paths of righteousness = Thats Guidance! All rights reserved. My cup runneth over = Thats Abundance! Psalms 23:1-6. We want to keep sowing into you!Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. He makes me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest! Psalm 23. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 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. Then we shall lay aside the pilgrim dress and the sword and we shall put on the royal robe and sit down with Him. So through life, like two angels of God, goodness and mercy will follow us and encamp round about us. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. . 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. The meaning of Psalm 23 is personal because we each have a personal relationship with God.. Start a meditation on Psalm 23 today and make it part of your worship to God during your quiet time. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. StudyLght.org. I have everything I need now, and everything I need in the future will be provided. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake. It's as Isaiah has said: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way" ( Isaiah 53:6 ). Be encouraged today my friends of faith!Today's amaz. That the good Shepherd protects us and saves us by diying on the cross. 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), All compliments and praise can be reflected back to him: "Yes, by the power of God, including His grace, I can do all that I must. Whenever a sheep strays, the shepherd finds and restores him back to the flock. Why do I still feel guilty about my past sins? Most account it to be a psalm of David's maturity, but with vivid remembrance of his youth as a shepherd. Psalms 24. She loves learning from peoples stories/experiences and getting lost in the words of a good book. Psalm 23 is the most famous of the psalms, a sequence of ancient hymns that comprise a whole book of the Bible. Jesus said no one will snatch you out of my hands! He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = Thats Guidance! 5) Psalm 23: Conclusion. Goals Arent So Smart Anymore. With God leading us, we experience peace and provision. Come, join the TBTG Family. God bless you. 1 Peter 2:25 ESV - For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Thank you, a plain and simple translation of our Faithful and Loving Shepherd. Let us look at this beautiful chapter in the Bible, Psalm 23 meaning and significance. Its the same with us: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way (Isaiah 53:6). He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = Thats Rest! Our Shepherd also leads us in the right way. He will never fail us, and Hell make sure that justice prevails. 56). Imagine you are invited to a magnificent banquet with a huge table filled with all kinds of food and drinks to feast on. Will you let God take the lead today in the affairs of your life? "The Lord is my Shepherd" -- That involves a one-on-one relationship, as an individual -- not just a number in a flock! When we do, look at what there is to gain! Are you that open to that kind of new life (following the Shepherd)? 3. With this assurance comes faith to declare boldly your identity in God. Fairchild, Mary. Verse 4. The Lord is my Shepherd = Thats Relationship! Verses 1 and 2 explain how God is like a shepherd who provides and cares for His sheep. Verse 5. Ask yourself, Have I lost sight of Gods faithfulness? If you feel like you have, even if you are not going through a hard time, stop and make an actual list of all the ways that God has been faithful to you. Four Reasons Why S.M.A.R.T. He declares Surely meaning it was his reality and he rested in this truth Gods goodness and mercy were following him through his lifes journey on earth. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23 (New Living Translation) A Psalm of David. This beautiful Psalm most admirably sets before us, in its chief figure, that of a shepherd, the gentle, kind, and sure care extended to God's people, who, as a shepherd, both rules and feeds them. Your cup overflows with blessings and abundance from God. Let us meditate on the words, Thou preparest a table before me. The Lord prepares it; it is His. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. The 23rd Psalm is one of the most widely known scriptures in the Bible. I woke up scared and needing encouragement and immediately I was led to recite psalm 23 and while reciting it, I needed to understand every statement to for impact .and lo and behold I came across this site that perfectly explains it to me and i feel so blessed and at peace .Thank God . When verses and chapters become familiar, we tend to not pay close attention to them. For the more we know him, the more we become confident of his love, grace, and blessings. Psalm 23 explained beautifully gives a picture of an intimate relationship with a heavenly father who knows and cares about you. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, 4. He took care of and protected flocks of sheep, and he wrote this psalm describing God as a shepherd and Gods people as His flock. We see this come to play as he stood before Goliath. He could trust God in the stillness and calmness, and yet still trust him in the valley and chaos. You may encourage yourself or others with the Word and verify these comments, respecting God and His plan for each of us What should I do if I don't understand the psalm? Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. According to Psalm 139, God's omniscience knows all about us (verses 1-6). This makes you know that you are not alone, even when you dont feel like it. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Sometimes, you may even be led by culture, traditions, and the worlds way of doing things. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. And for the sake of His name and His glory, He guides our wills to line up with His. https://www.learnreligions.com/psalm-23-the-lord-is-my-shepherd-700375 (accessed March 1, 2023). 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. Convicting, huh? This proclaims the metaphor of the psalm, that god is like our shepherd. This verse also shows God as a guide who leads us through life on paths that honor his name and bring glory to him. Beautiful Testimony. 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. Herestores my soul. Jesus is called the good shepherd, and he said my sheep know my voice and a strangers voice they will not follow. one of your favorite Psalms? Thank you Lord for Psalm23. This article originally appeared on Revive Our Hearts and LiesYoungWomenBelieve.com. 6. "The Lord is my shepherd" is one of the most quoted passages in all of Scripture. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The Good Shepherd leads His sheep in paths of righteousness to the very gates of the beautiful city itself, and on through the gates into the eternal fold, for it is written in Revelation 22:14, Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.. We are not justified by works, but for works. "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord" -- That's home and security in the Lord's provision/Heaven! The 22nd Psalm in the Vulgate and some Catholic bibles, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Understand-Psalm-23-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Understand-Psalm-23-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Understand-Psalm-23-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1070805-v4-728px-Understand-Psalm-23-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"