Understanding the Prophetic Message of Psalm 23
Explore the profound meaning and encouragement offered by Psalm 23 in its divine context. Reflect on the significance of the Lord as our Shepherd, finding rest, and abundant blessings despite life's challenges.
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Presentation Transcript
PSALM 23:1-6 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name s sake. 4 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. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 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 is likely the most familiar and quoted chapter of the Bible It is often a requested text at funerals, wedding and other occasions Many have committed it to memory Do we properly understand its meaning in context and the encouragement it offers? Do we live in the divine blessings it honors? Is the Lord truly our Shepherd? INTRODUCTION
In Psalm 22, we are assured that the Lord does not reject His own people Psalm 23 shows the blessings that come from God s presence, even in death v. 4 David understood God s presence and trusted fully in God His Shepherd David shepherded his father s sheep 1 Sam. 17:15, 34-35 David shepherded Israel Psa. 78:70-72; 80:1 In Ezekiel 34:23-24 the Lord promised to send a shepherd, a promise that has been fulfilled in the great shepherd Jesus Heb. 13:20 Matt. 2:6 ASV; John 10:11-16
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want v. 1 Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd This is RELATIONSHIP! Jesus is the good shepherd Jn. 10:1-14, 27-29 His sheep hear His voice and follow Him and do not follow a stranger! Who is your shepherd? Do you hear and follow Jesus words?
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want v. 1 Psalm 23 I shall not want This is SUPPLY! The Lord has abundantly blessed saints and sinners Eph. 1:3; Phil. 4:19; Matt. 5:45 He suppliesour needs so we will not want Isa. 40:10-11
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters v. 2 Psalm 23 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures This is REST! The Lord provides rest from sin, guilt and shame! Matt. 11:28-30 He provides rest from the troubles of persecution 2 Thess. 1:6-7
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters v. 2 Psalm 23 He leadeth me beside the still waters This is REFRESHMENT! He stills (calms) the stormy waters Mark 4:37-41 He gives us living water John 4:10-14; 7:37-38 Isa. 12:3; 55:1-2 Jesus is the water of life Rev. 21:6; 22:1 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. 21:17
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name s sake v. 3 Psalm 23 He restoreth my soul This is HEALING! Through forgiveness and fellowship God heals lost souls Luke 15:17-18, 20 God restores the sinner and erring through repentanceand conversion Luke 22:32 Acts 3:19; 26:18
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name s sake He leadeth me in paths of righteousness This is GUIDANCE! We are led by the Shepherd s voice John 10:3-4 His words are truth Psa. 119:105; John 6:68; 14:6 v. 3 Psalm 23 For His name s sake This is PURPOSE! He has prepared our path Eph. 2:10; 1 John 1:7 We are His and accomplish His purpose when we are faithful to Him Rom. 12:1-2; 14:7-8
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 v. 4 Psalm 23 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death This is TESTING! Trials of life and death are common to all 1 Cor. 10:13 Trials can mature and strengthen us James 1:2-3 In Christ, the fear of death gives way to joyful hope 1 Cor. 15:54-57
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 v. 4 Psalm 23 I will fear no evil This is PROTECTION! We are protected from sin by the way of escape 1 Cor. 10:13 We are protected through watchful vigilance 1 Peter 5:8-9 There is no need to fear because of protection by the God of all grace and power 1 Peter 5:10 Psa. 27:1-3; Isa. 41:9-10
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 v. 4 Psalm 23 For thou art with me This is FAITHFULNESS! God and His Son are our faithful companions Heb. 13:5-6 He urges us to cast our cares upon Him Psa. 55:22; 1 Peter 5:6-7 We have fellowship when faithful with the Faithful One!
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 v. 4 Psalm 23 Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me This is DISCIPLINE! This is an allusion to the shepherd s crook or staff used to reclaim the weak and straying and to number and direct the flock Mic. 7:14 Discipline affirms His love and care for His flock Heb. 12:6, 10-11 His discipline is applied through His word 2 Tim. 3:16-17
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies This is HOPE! God is greater than our enemy 1 John 4:4 v. 5 Psalm 23 Christ rules in the midst of enemies we must offer willing service Psa. 110:2-3 Hope is not ashamed and does not disappoint Rom. 5:4-5; 1 Peter 1:3; Heb. 6:19
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over Thou anointest my head with oil This is CONSECREATION! The surety and fullness of blessings refresh the souls of those dedicated to God v. 5 Psalm 23 Christians are committed to Christ and set apart from the world by the truth to be holy (saints) John 17:17-19; 1 Cor. 1:2
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over My cup runneth over This is ABUNDANCE! God exceeds and excels our desires and thoughts Isa. 55:8-9; Eph. 3:20 v. 5 Psalm 23 The blessings of God to the faithful are limitless and beyond our comprehension Mal. 3:10
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 v. 6 Psalm 23 Surely good and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life This is BLESSINGS! There is surety and certainty in faithful service Matt. 6:31-34 God s goodness and mercy is always with the faithful!
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 v. 6 Psalm 23 And I will dwell in the house of the Lord This is SECURITY! Only faithful Children of God will dwell in His house Gal. 4:5-7 We must hold fast to the end Heb. 2:1-3; 3:6
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 v. 6 Psalm 23 For ever This is ETERNITY! The Lord s sheep will enter the eternal kingdom 2 Peter 1:11; Matt. 25:32-40, 46 His sheep hear His voice, are known of Him, follow Him and given eternal life John 10:27-28 Are you a sheep or a goat?
EZEKIEL 34:23-31 (23-26) 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. 25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. 26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing;
27 And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. 28 And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid. 29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more. 30 Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. 31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD. EZEKIEL 34:23-31 (27-31)
The Lord is our Shepherd only when we listen andfollow His word! CONCLUSION
Acts 16:30 Sirs, What MUST I do ? Alien sinners MUST Hear the Gospel of Christ Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:6 Believe the Gospel John 8:24 Repent of sin in your life Acts 17:30 Confess that Jesus is the Son of God Matt. 10:34 Be baptized to wash away your sins Acts 2:38 An erring child of God MUST Repent and Pray for Forgiveness 1 John 1:7-9 Christians MUST be faithful unto death Endure sufferings to gain the crown Rev. 2:10
