Psalm 23: The Lord, My Shepherd

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Psalm 23 The Lord, My
Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
(Psalm 23 1)
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If Psalm 23 provides the Solutions, what were the
Problems?
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If Psalm 23 provides the Solutions, what were the
Problems?

• Take a few moments and review Psalm 23 looking
  for the problems/concerns that the psalmist might
  have been experiencing prior to the writing of
  the psalm.
• List them in your notebook and discuss briefly at
  your table.

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Psalm 23 Individual Psalm of Confidence

• The psalm has been called the Shepherds Psalm
  because of the dominant metaphor in the
  beginning.
• Closer inspection reveals 3 scenes
• The Pasture (231-4) Shepherd-Sheep
• The Banquet Hall (235) Gracious Host
• The Sanctuary (236) Holy Lord

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Shepherds Sheep 101

• Main job of shepherd food water
• Sheep not good at finding own food
• Biblical Imagery
• God the Father Isaiah 4010-11
• God the Son John 101-16
• Elders 1 Peter 51-4

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A Day in the Life of a Shepherd

• In the morning the shepherd leads forth his flock
  by calling them to himself.
• In the field, he would often watch with dogs.
• He would search for strays (responsible).
• At least once per day, he would supply the
  flock with water from streams or wells.
• In the evening, he counted each sheep by
  passing them under the rod (or his hand) as
  they entered the opening of the enclosure.
• Sheep and goats kept together during day but
  separated at night.

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Psalm 23 Outline

• David meditates on how the Lord leads him, using
  the emblem of shepherd/sheep (1-4).
• David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign
  deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in
  a banquet hall (5).
• David confidently concludes that since the
  goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow
  him always he shall be drawn to communion with
  the Lord in the sanctuary(6).

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• Psalm 23
• A Psalm of David.
• 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
•  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures He
  leads me beside quiet waters.
•  3 He restores my soul He guides me in the paths
  of righteousness for His name's sake.
•  4 Even though I walk through the valley of the
  shadow of death, I fear no evil for Thou art
  with me Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
•  5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the
  presence of my enemies Thou hast anointed my
  head with oil My cup overflows. 
• 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow
  me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
  the house of the LORD forever.

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• Psalm 23
• A Psalm of David.
• 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
•  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures He
  leads me beside quiet waters.
•  3 He restores my soul He guides me in the paths
  of righteousness for His name's sake.
•  4 Even though I walk through the valley of the
  shadow of death, I fear no evil for Thou art
  with me Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
•  5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the
  presence of my enemies Thou hast anointed my
  head with oil My cup overflows. 
• 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow
  me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
  the house of the LORD forever.

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Psalm 23 Message

• Using the settings of a pasture, banquet hall,
  and the sanctuary, David meditates on the
  many provisions of the Lord and confidently
  concludes that His persistent loyal love will
  draw him to communion with the Lord in the
  sanctuary.

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Psalm 23

• David meditates on how the Lord leads him, using
  the emblem of shepherd/sheep (1-4).
• David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign
  deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in
  a banquet hall (5).
• David confidently concludes that since the
  goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow
  him always he shall be drawn to communion with
  the Lord in the sanctuary(6).

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Psalm 23

• 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
• 2a He makes me lie down in green pastures
• The Lord my shepherd (my feeder)
• The food is spiritual Word of God
• (Pss 19 119 John 16 1 Cor 2 Heb 512-14)
• Q How does he feed the sheep?
• A By putting them in the best place for the
  best food.
• Quantity He lacks nothing when God provides
• Quality He has the best provisions (lush green
  meadows of spring time)

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Psalm 23

• 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
• 2a He makes me lie down in green pastures
• The Lord leads him to the very best provisions in
  life so that he is satisfied.
• Quantity He lacks nothing when God provides.
• Quality He has the best provisions (lush green
  meadows of spring time).
• Provision of the Lord Feeding

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Psalm 23

• 2bHe leads me beside quiet waters.
• 3a He restores my soul
• He leads He causes the leading to
• Quiet waters waters of rest (nacham)
• Restores to return to turn back (sheep
  wander good shepherds heal/restore)
• My soul the whole person (Hebrews thought of
  the person as a soul, not having a soul.)

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Psalm 23

• 2bHe leads me beside quiet waters.
• 3a He restores my soul
• The Lord leads him to complete restoration
  (2b-3a)
• Emblem He leads him by placid waters
• Truth The Lord restores his soul
• Provision of the Lord Leading Healing

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Psalm 23

• 3bHe guides me in the paths of righteousness for
  His name's sake.
• He guides lead by turning eyes to a goal
• Paths tracks from something that rolled
• Righteousness according to a standard
• The Right Paths a good shepherd knows the
  right way/path to travel.

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Psalm 23

• 3bHe guides me in the paths of righteousness for
  His name's sake.
• WHY????
• For His names sake for the sake of His name
  (reputation) all that He stands for.
• The reputation of the shepherd is built and
  maintained by his continued good guidance and
  care of the sheep.
• Provision of the Lord Guidance

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Psalm 23

• 3bHe guides me in the paths of righteousness for
  His name's sake.
• The Lord leads him in the right paths because of
  His reputation (3b).
• Truth He leads him in the right paths
• Reason His reputation (name) depends on it
• Provision of the Lord Leading Healing

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Psalm 23

• 4Even though I walk through the valley of the
  shadow of death, I fear no evil for Thou art
  with me Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
• Fear David fears the Lord, not adversity
• You are with me reason for confidence
• Note shift from 3rd to 2nd person here
• Cardinal doctrine of Bible I am with you
• (see Genesis 2815 Exodus 3 6 Matt. 28)

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Psalm 23

• 4Even though I walk through the valley of the
  shadow of death, I fear no evil for Thou art
  with me Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
• Even though a real possibility
• Valley of the shadow of death difficult
• Valley is modified by the phrase death shadow.
  Possibilities
• Extremely dangerous place
• Death is haunting his course of life
• Life-threatening situation

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Psalm 23

• 4Even though I walk through the valley of the
  shadow of death, I fear no evil for Thou art
  with me Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
• Rod staff bring care and protection
• Poetry balance 1) in dangerous times he is not
  afraid because the Lord is with him and 2) the
  Lords rod and staff bring him comfort.
• Provision of the Lord Protection

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Psalm 23

• 4Even though I walk through the valley of the
  shadow of death, I fear no evil for Thou art
  with me Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
• The Lord leads him through life-threatening
  circumstances (4).
• Danger He may go through life-threatening
  circumstances
• Confidence The presence of the Lord dispels
  fears
• Emblem The Lords rod staff comfort him.

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Psalm 23

• David meditates on how the Lord leads him, using
  the emblem of a shepherd/sheep (1-4).
• David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign
  deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in
  a banquet hall (5).
• David confidently concludes that since the
  goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow
  him always he shall be drawn to communion with
  the Lord in the sanctuary(6).

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Psalm 23

• 5Thou dost prepare a table before me in the
  presence of my enemies Thou hast anointed my
  head with oil My cup overflows.
• Prepare a table set in order (as with dishes
  and food on the table) Provision
• Before me towards my face
• In the presence of my enemies in front of
  those that hem me in Security, even in the
  midst of trouble

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Psalm 23

• 5Thou dost prepare a table before me in the
  presence of my enemies Thou hast anointed my
  head with oil My cup overflows.
• Anointed to make fat symbol of abundance
  and prosperity
• Oil symbol or hospitality and joy
• My cup your lot in life what you are given to
  drink. Imagery here is saturation/full.
• Provision of Lord Protection

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Psalm 23

• 5Thou dost prepare a table before me in the
  presence of my enemies Thou hast anointed my
  head with oil My cup overflows.
• The Lord prepares a banquet table for him in the
  presence of his enemies sustenance in time of
  need.
• The Lord anoints his head with oil rejoicing in
  time of need.
• The Lord makes his cup run over abundant
  provision in his portion.

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Psalm 23

• David meditates on how the Lord leads him, using
  the emblem of a shepherd/sheep (1-4).
• David reflects on the Lord as his sovereign
  deliverer under the emblem of a gracious host in
  a banquet hall (5).
• David confidently concludes that since the
  goodness and loyal love of the Lord will follow
  him always he shall be drawn to communion with
  the Lord in the sanctuary(6).

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Psalm 23

• 6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow
  me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
  the house of the LORD.
• Surely introduces an expression of truth
• Goodness lovingkindness to be taken together
  as Yahwehs good loyal love
• Lovingkindness hesed determined
  faithfulness/love in a relationship or covenant
• Will follow me ongoing pursuit
• 6a His observation about the Lord

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Psalm 23

• 6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow
  me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
  the house of the LORD.
• 6b His decision
• I will dwell same word as restore in 233
• I will dwell Many hold for return here
• This would convey that David has been away from
  the sanctuary meditating on the provisions of the
  Lord thus prompting his desire to return.
• Forever for the length of days

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Psalm 23

• 6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow
  me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
  the house of the LORD.
• Conclusion The goodness and loyal love of the
  Lord will persistently follow him everywhere.
• Result He shall be drawn to the house of the
  Lord for the length of his days.

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Psalm 23 The Lord, My Shepherd

• Feeding
• Leading
• Healing
• Guiding
• Protecting

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• Psalm 23
• A Psalm of David.
• 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
•  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures He
  leads me beside quiet waters.
•  3 He restores my soul He guides me in the paths
  of righteousness for His name's sake.
•  4 Even though I walk through the valley of the
  shadow of death, I fear no evil for Thou art
  with me Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
•  5 Thou dost prepare a table before me in the
  presence of my enemies Thou hast anointed my
  head with oil My cup overflows. 
• 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow
  me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
  the house of the LORD forever.

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Psalm 23 The Lord, My
Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
(Psalm 23 1)
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Psalms Bible Study 700-845pm

• June 10 Intro Psalm1
• June 17 Psalm 2
• June 24 NO CLASS
• July 1 Psalm 63
• July 8 Psalm 23
• July 15 Psalms of Ascent
• Hallel Psalms
• Psalm 150

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