liarsandmartyrs
January 6th, 2007, 10:56 AM
I did a personal study on Psalm 23. I did a line by line breakdown of it, and here is what GOd gave to me.
Psalm 23
The LORD is my Shepherd:
Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14) He guides us in the ways of light. We are His sheep, where He leads, we follow.
I shall not want:
When we have Jesus as our LORD (our Shepherd) we rely on Him to take care of all our needs, we are in want of nothing. He provided for us BEFORE we are in need. (Matt 6:26-34, Phil. 4:6, Matt. 6:8
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
Any disturbance or intruder scares sheep. They are very fearful animals and can not lie down unless they feel totally secure. Meaning, that God is our security so that, (we the sheep), are able to lie down in the security that is Christ Jesus.
In green pastures: here David uses eloquent language to express his view of the abundant care God gives to His people. After all would you rather lie down in an arid wasteland or in green pastures?
John Wesley’s bible notes say that green pastures represent: “Where there is both delight and plenty of provisions.”
He leads me beside still waters:
Sheep are afraid on fast flowing waters. God’s provision of still waters has a soothing effect and calms the sheep.
Moving waters in the bible has in occasion signified swift coming trials and tribulations. A time of Torrance, trouble, and chaos. As in Dan 9:26, 11:22.
So then still waters would mean that God will be the One to lead us through those times, to times of peace, as well as, during those times of trouble, we will be in the peace of Christ, though in the midst of a raging river, God’s presence and assurance that raging river will become like still waters.
He restores my soul:
Here David plainly describes the authority of Jesus as the only One who is able to redeem. (John 14:6)
He leads me in the paths of righteousness:
Paul says that put on the LORD Jesus Christ, we become a new creature. The old is gone and the new has arrived. David testifies to this by saying that Jesus leads us from the ways of sin and death, to the paths of righteousness. God refreshes His people with His quite gentle voice and gentle touch. For this reason, the sheep know the Shepherd and are known by Him. (John 10:14)
John Wesley’s bible notes states: Hebrew meaning, He brings it back; from its errors and wandering.
For His name’s sake:
The loving actions of the Shepherd proceed from His nature. To show that He is faithful to His word. He could not promise us that He is the one who takes care of us if he does not. (John 10:15)
John Wesley: Not for any worth in me, but for the glory of his justice, and faithfulness, and goodness.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death:
Even in times that we are going through trials and tribulations.
This can refer to any distressing time in our lives. The awareness of our own mortality often comes with sickness, trials, and hardship.
I will fear no evil:
The LORD, our Provider, can lead us through these dark and difficult valleys to eternal life with Him. There is no need to fear death. (1 Corinthians 15:25-27)
For You are with me:
Jesus promised, before He ascended to heaven to be with us even to the ends of the earth, and He can not lie. He is with us even in what seems to be the most difficult and troubling situations.
Your rod and Your staff they comfort me:
Ancient shepherds used the rod and staff to rescue, protect, and guide the sheep. So to us the rod pulls us back to Him when we wander to far from Him. The rod is what guides us in the direction He has us to go. The rod and staff protect us from the pitfalls and wild beasts that would come against us.
John Wesley: Two words denoting the same thing, and both designing God's pastoral care over him.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
God’s provision is so luxurious it is as though He has prepared a banquet in the presence of our enemies, saying that even though you have surrounded my sheep, they still feast without fear, for we know that we are under His protection.
As the enemy hangs around the dark and murky side lines, God has prepared a bountiful blessing in front of our enemies. Signifying that their threats are of no affect upon us. For they set themselves against us because they are against God, so by doing so they are against God, and God will repay in full.
John Wesley: You have given me plentiful portion.
You anoint my head with oil:
When God anoints someone, they either become king or a profit. It is true that we are to be the mouth piece of God, to preach the gospel, therefore we are prophets. Christ Himself said that we are to be kings and priest before God. Revelation 1:6
My cup runs over:
God’s blessings are so abundant that they can not be contained, pressed down, shaken together and running over. [Luke 6:38].
John Wesley: You have given me a plentiful portion.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
The use of goodness and mercy to describe God’s loyal love intensifies the meaning of the two words. What is described in verse 5 is God’s overabundant mercy-love that is in no way deserved.
The Hebrew verb follow describes an animal in pursuit. Goodness and mercy does not just follow you, it pursues you. You can not shake it, you can not dodge it, and once God has placed it upon you it will follow after you wherever you are.
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever:
God’s promise for the Israelites was not just for the enjoyment of this life in the land of promise; it was also for the full enjoyment of the life to come in His blessed presence. (Psalm 16:9, 17:15, 49:15)
Jesus promises to us that those who believe in Him will be saved, and He tells us that the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the thirsty and hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted for righteousness sake, those reviled and persecuted, those who evil is spoken against falsely, all in the name of Jesus will be completely filled and fulfills in the presence of God forever. (Matthew 5:3-11). Remember that Jesus told the thief on the cross, when he confessed to all that he believed that Jesus was LORD, the Master said, “today you will be with me in paradise.”
Psalm 23
The LORD is my Shepherd:
Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14) He guides us in the ways of light. We are His sheep, where He leads, we follow.
I shall not want:
When we have Jesus as our LORD (our Shepherd) we rely on Him to take care of all our needs, we are in want of nothing. He provided for us BEFORE we are in need. (Matt 6:26-34, Phil. 4:6, Matt. 6:8
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
Any disturbance or intruder scares sheep. They are very fearful animals and can not lie down unless they feel totally secure. Meaning, that God is our security so that, (we the sheep), are able to lie down in the security that is Christ Jesus.
In green pastures: here David uses eloquent language to express his view of the abundant care God gives to His people. After all would you rather lie down in an arid wasteland or in green pastures?
John Wesley’s bible notes say that green pastures represent: “Where there is both delight and plenty of provisions.”
He leads me beside still waters:
Sheep are afraid on fast flowing waters. God’s provision of still waters has a soothing effect and calms the sheep.
Moving waters in the bible has in occasion signified swift coming trials and tribulations. A time of Torrance, trouble, and chaos. As in Dan 9:26, 11:22.
So then still waters would mean that God will be the One to lead us through those times, to times of peace, as well as, during those times of trouble, we will be in the peace of Christ, though in the midst of a raging river, God’s presence and assurance that raging river will become like still waters.
He restores my soul:
Here David plainly describes the authority of Jesus as the only One who is able to redeem. (John 14:6)
He leads me in the paths of righteousness:
Paul says that put on the LORD Jesus Christ, we become a new creature. The old is gone and the new has arrived. David testifies to this by saying that Jesus leads us from the ways of sin and death, to the paths of righteousness. God refreshes His people with His quite gentle voice and gentle touch. For this reason, the sheep know the Shepherd and are known by Him. (John 10:14)
John Wesley’s bible notes states: Hebrew meaning, He brings it back; from its errors and wandering.
For His name’s sake:
The loving actions of the Shepherd proceed from His nature. To show that He is faithful to His word. He could not promise us that He is the one who takes care of us if he does not. (John 10:15)
John Wesley: Not for any worth in me, but for the glory of his justice, and faithfulness, and goodness.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death:
Even in times that we are going through trials and tribulations.
This can refer to any distressing time in our lives. The awareness of our own mortality often comes with sickness, trials, and hardship.
I will fear no evil:
The LORD, our Provider, can lead us through these dark and difficult valleys to eternal life with Him. There is no need to fear death. (1 Corinthians 15:25-27)
For You are with me:
Jesus promised, before He ascended to heaven to be with us even to the ends of the earth, and He can not lie. He is with us even in what seems to be the most difficult and troubling situations.
Your rod and Your staff they comfort me:
Ancient shepherds used the rod and staff to rescue, protect, and guide the sheep. So to us the rod pulls us back to Him when we wander to far from Him. The rod is what guides us in the direction He has us to go. The rod and staff protect us from the pitfalls and wild beasts that would come against us.
John Wesley: Two words denoting the same thing, and both designing God's pastoral care over him.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
God’s provision is so luxurious it is as though He has prepared a banquet in the presence of our enemies, saying that even though you have surrounded my sheep, they still feast without fear, for we know that we are under His protection.
As the enemy hangs around the dark and murky side lines, God has prepared a bountiful blessing in front of our enemies. Signifying that their threats are of no affect upon us. For they set themselves against us because they are against God, so by doing so they are against God, and God will repay in full.
John Wesley: You have given me plentiful portion.
You anoint my head with oil:
When God anoints someone, they either become king or a profit. It is true that we are to be the mouth piece of God, to preach the gospel, therefore we are prophets. Christ Himself said that we are to be kings and priest before God. Revelation 1:6
My cup runs over:
God’s blessings are so abundant that they can not be contained, pressed down, shaken together and running over. [Luke 6:38].
John Wesley: You have given me a plentiful portion.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
The use of goodness and mercy to describe God’s loyal love intensifies the meaning of the two words. What is described in verse 5 is God’s overabundant mercy-love that is in no way deserved.
The Hebrew verb follow describes an animal in pursuit. Goodness and mercy does not just follow you, it pursues you. You can not shake it, you can not dodge it, and once God has placed it upon you it will follow after you wherever you are.
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever:
God’s promise for the Israelites was not just for the enjoyment of this life in the land of promise; it was also for the full enjoyment of the life to come in His blessed presence. (Psalm 16:9, 17:15, 49:15)
Jesus promises to us that those who believe in Him will be saved, and He tells us that the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the thirsty and hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted for righteousness sake, those reviled and persecuted, those who evil is spoken against falsely, all in the name of Jesus will be completely filled and fulfills in the presence of God forever. (Matthew 5:3-11). Remember that Jesus told the thief on the cross, when he confessed to all that he believed that Jesus was LORD, the Master said, “today you will be with me in paradise.”