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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. But the day is coming when the Good Shepherd will call us to the great supper in His kingdom. The sheep rests in the assurance that his shepherd is always watching and looking out for it. 4Yea, 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. Psalm 23 is one of the most dearly loved, soul-comforting passages of Scripture. Now understandsheep are not the smartest animals, so they need someone to take care of them, protect them, and even correct them. ", looking for how to help someone else with this prayer, and instead I got help. Last Updated: August 29, 2022 They gather around the Lord's table here in this world and in the one to come. To restore the soul is to revive or quicken it ( Psalms 19:7 ), or relieve it ( Lamentations 1:11 Lamentations 1:19 ). Im passing them along in the hopes they will challenge you, too. Isaiah 40:11 ESV - He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. He restores my soul. David said he makes me to lie down in green pastures meaning that it is God that gives rest. Image courtesy:Thinkstock/pamela_d_mcadams, 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. He is, indeed, worthy of our worship and praise. ", 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.", John 4:35 - "Do not say 'yet four months and then comes the Harvest', for it [the harvest of souls. Verse 3. As we embody Psalm 139, we inevitably grow in our self-assurance, God-confidence, and inner contentment. Another figure expresses God's provided care. Let us meditate on the words, Thou preparest a table before me. The Lord prepares it; it is His. Our faith in God must not be only when the times are good. 2He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Sometimes, you may even be led by culture, traditions, and the worlds way of doing things. https://www.learnreligions.com/psalm-23-the-lord-is-my-shepherd-700375 (accessed March 1, 2023). "The Lord is my shepherd" is one of the most quoted passages in all of Scripture. The prophet Samuel anointed him king, but it would be another decade or more before David was recognized by Israel. Even in the bleakest, blackest times of life, we dont have to fear harm because our God is with us. Psalm 23 (New Living Translation) A Psalm of David. He restores my soul. Now it is more than rest or workit is conflict. Try it! As I read, three questions came to mind. Are you that open to that kind of new life (following the Shepherd)? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 191,942 times. Intimacy with God births confidence in us as his children. Sometimes in the valleys of life, we take on a woe is me attitude and completely ignore all of the blessings that God has given us. There is much more you can draw from this beautiful Psalm. We can trust our lives to the Lords safekeeping. He leads me in the paths of righteousness = Thats Guidance! Does it Matter That I Didn't Keep My Goals for Lent? The LORD is my shepherd: David thought about God, the God of Israel; as he thought about his relationship with God, he made the analogy of a shepherd and his sheep. Sometimes we get bogged down in our circumstances and just decide thats the way it will always be. Jesus said no one will snatch you out of my hands! 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. Psalm 23:5. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This is how God cares for us. Sarah Garrett is a passionate educator and founder of the Transformed4More Ministries that she runs with her identical twin sister. 1. When God calls, will you answer? We can count on his unfailing love every day for as long as we live. We figuratively pitch our tent in the valley. The Bible never changes, but it always changes something in us when we read it. In John 10:27, Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. When we submit to His will and His way, we can be sure that Hell guide us along the path that is best for us. 23rd Psalm - The Lord is my shepherd (KJV) Psalm 23:1-6 1. As you walk through life, will you trust God to lead and guide you into the fullness of his purpose for your life? These words are rich in their meaning as they speak of peace, comfort, security, guidance, and Gods unfailing love. They know his voice and follow him. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. ", Jesus told his disciples to come on and "follow me" now. At times sheep stray from their shepherd. We Are Carriers of God's Presence & Glory!! This means that if you could put your blessings in a cup, they would run over the top. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = Thats Hope! God wants an intimate relationship with his children. No one can rest in mind and heart until the weight of a guilty conscience is removed. Why read it again? The Lord is my Shepherd = Thats Relationship! He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Lectionary Calendar. The other part of the picture in these four verses gives the different methods that God uses in leading His flock; or, we might say, the various regions through which He leads them are described in order. He is a faithful Shepherd that provides for His sheep (Matthew 6:33). 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. Learn more about the meaning and significance of this well-known phrase from Psalms 23. oil--anointing oil, the symbol of gladness. "I will fear no evil" -- That's knowing you are protected even at your lowest hour! He restores and heals our minds and emotions, renewing and strengthening our very lives! Please sign up for our emails so we can send you updates , free devotionals, videos, teachings, prophetic words, and more. Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and well-loved psalms in the Bible. Psalm 23 Explained A song of abundance. So when David says "I shall not want" he is acknowledging how completely reliant he is one God as his Shepherd. This is because he had come to understand that the Shepherd was everything to the sheep. God is not a blind guide; he always leads you on the path of purpose and prosperity. Amen. 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. Still or quiet waters, represent rest, refuge, safety, and security. The passage begins with this familiar reassurance: "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.". Imagine you are invited to a magnificent banquet with a huge table filled with all kinds of food and drinks to feast on. paths of righteousness--those of safety, as directed by God, and pleasing to Him. A shepherd cares deeply not only for all his sheep as a whole but also for each and every single one. Hebrews 13:20 ESV - Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, Revelation 7:17 ESV - For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.. We can rest and relax knowing that God is taking care of us. And all enemies will be gone forever. Thanks be to the father that he has a place for me forever. 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. The picture of the divine Shepherd leading His flock fills the first four verses of Psalm 23. In spiritual communion with Him, the hungry heart finds food that satisfies. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Four Reasons Why S.M.A.R.T. Put one foot in front of another while asking the Lord to provide a way out. Titus 1:7 ESV - For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. Prone to wander. For Thou art with me = Thats Faithfulness! If you pray for help, that could be like an "intervention": be ready for possible interference in your plans that either are or are not in His will. 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. The Word of God always has something new to teach us, even if its from a familiar passage. He leads me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment! And how does it relate to us as children of God today?". Thats Hope! Sheep are pretty helpless animals, unable to defend themselves. Our Shepherd also leads us in the right way. I can rest and be at peace because He is a good Shepherd. Fairchild, Mary. Praise the Lord for his love for us.He is a good sherperd who always take care of his sheep.Thank you Lord for your mercy for us the sinners. You don't know who has you. No, was the prompt reply, I don't know, but you do. She didn't have to know, if father knew that it was all right. And that is why, he will lead you beside still waters to give peace and comfort amid lifes chaos. During much of that time, David was a fugitive, hunted by and hiding from King Saul, who was obsessed with taking his life. God wants you to trust him at all times in all seasons of life while resting in the assurance that he is always with you. Back in the Bible times it was a great honor to get your head anointed with oil and so it's saying that even though we sin and can be really awful people, God still loves us and is ready to treat us like royalty. For something 3,000 years old, it is extremely relevant for our lives today. Generally in Malaysia, Christians use this Psalm to comfort the sick and dying. "For Thou art with me" -- That's the constant faithfulness of The Shepherd! 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. Whenever a sheep strays, the shepherd finds and restores him back to the flock. With this assurance comes faith to declare boldly your identity in God. You literally cannot dwell on bad thoughts and the blessings of God at the same time. I thank God for your inspiration. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The overflowing cup symbolizes Gods open-hearted generosity. King David boldly declares who God is to him as he speaks of his relationship with God borne out of personal knowledge and his experiences with God using a shepherd and his sheep. What Does it Mean That Jesus Was Gods Begotten Son? Listen to this beautiful song titled Psalm 23 by the Zoe Group. The restored soul is then led on to another stage in God's plan for his lifeHe leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake (Psalm 23:3). These verses offer comfort for the reader as they enter the valley of the shadow of death and onward in Jesus' loving arms. We have need of nothing because our Shepherd provides everything. He leads me beside the still waters = Thats Refreshment! 56). Is your relationship with God intimate enough for you to boldly call him your Shepherd? Verses 1 and 2 explain how God is like a shepherd who provides and cares for His sheep. Our Shepherd cares for us, and He is able to restore our souls. When was Psalm 23 Written? The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want (Lessons from Psalms 23) -ibelieve.com, Psalms 23 Commentary - biblestudytools.com, How to Find Daily Encouragement from 'the Lord Is My Shepherd' in Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want (Lessons from Psalms 23). These words are rich in their meaning as they speak of peace, comfort, security, guidance, and Gods unfailing love. Thats Blessing ! 5. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. Psalm 23 explained beautifully - title photo. The Lord is my Shepherd = Thats Relationship! Do you have a prayer request? Some people find reading commentaries on passages of scripture helpful. John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The truth is during this Covid19, my family and I have enjoyed Jesus as our Shepherd; provision, rest, restoration, peace, presence, leading and protection. He also protects us from evil. It emphasizes the Lords personal care, guidance, and protection of his people. I guess God led me here. There are 40 days til Easter! Today, you too can boldly declare that the Lord is my Shepherd. As believers, we tend to do the same thing. Psalm 23 (New International Version)A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.He makes me lie down in green pastures,He leads me beside quiet waters,He restores my soul.He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.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, they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Thank God for the Good Shepherd who became the perfect, sacrificial Lamb of God, removing our sin, guilt, and shame and making us right with our Heavenly Father! Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. How God protects us, God is Shepherd and we are the sheep(dumb, fallen and gone astray). About Mary. When we see it in our Bibles, it can be tempting to think,Oh, I know what this says already. This makes you know that you are not alone, even when you dont feel like it. Do we then make void the law through faith? asks the Apostle to the Gentiles; and then he answers his own question: God forbid: yea, we establish the law (Romans 3:31). Will you let God take the lead today in the affairs of your life? Whereas a king might do what's best for the majority, a shepherd knows and stewards each one of his sheep. The devil wants you to feel guilty, but do not listen to him. 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. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. "Do not say it is yet four months and then comes the Harvest, for it [the harvest of souls] is now ripe" (John 4:35). 2. Why Did Pharaoh Tell Joseph to Enjoy the 'Fat of the Land'? He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Psalm 23 explained beautifully, strengthens our faith in an eternal existence of the Lord for all. (LogOut/ 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. i. Psalm 23 Meaning Explained Beautifully A Personal Narrative of Psalm 23 verse 1: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." My words: God is taking care of and watching over me. Comes with choosing to abide daily in Gods presence his God them along in the paths of righteousness = Refreshment... Goodness and mercy were following him through his lifes journey on earth his! Gather around the Lord is my shepherd, hence he could confidently declare I will not lack good... 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