Psalm 23 is the most famous of the psalms, a sequence of ancient hymns that comprise a whole book of the Bible. Shepherds often risked their own lives to rescue their sheep. But the Lord walks with us through seasons of darkness and despair. As guests of the Lord, we can dine safely, even in the presence of our enemies. As an added bonus, you will feel your spirit lift as you write. Thats Blessing ! And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. In the darkest and most trying hour, God is near. Equipping Christian Women to Abide in God's Word. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. As the apostle Paul puts it, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). 1 Peter 2:25 ESV - For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. The writer paints an enticing picture of who God is to him and uses metaphor to relate his experiences while walking with God. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake (vv. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. 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). Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. This makes you know that you are not alone, even when you dont feel like it. 1 Peter 5:4 ESV - And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Thou anointestmy head with oil = Thats Consecration! Have you ever wondered about the Psalm 23 meaning or wanted to hear Psalm 23 explained beautifully? Green pastures also relate to the Word of God. Under a metaphor borrowed from scenes of pastoral life, with which David was familiar, he describes God's providential care in providing refreshment, guidance, protection, and abundance, and so affording grounds of confidence in His perpetual favor. They know his voice and follow him. So through life, like two angels of God, goodness and mercy will follow us and encamp round about us. Submit your request and our prayer team will pray for you. Our Saviour is not only the Lamb; He is the Shepherd toothe Good Shepherd, who giveth His life for His sheep. Whereas a king might do what's best for the majority, a shepherd knows and stewards each one of his sheep. In this psalm, we see a beautiful portrait of God as our good and faithful Shepherd Who leads us by still waters and guides us into the way of peace. And how does it relate to us as children of God today?". ", and Bible resources, we can enjoy it so much. Someone or something will lead us through life. Our Shepherd also leads us in the right way. We learn it in Sunday school, see it in funeral programs, and notice it on church dcor. There are 40 days til Easter! We can be sure that Gods goodness and mercy will pursue us every single day when we allow Him to shepherd us. David did not call God a deliverer or a king, he was specific with the word Shepherd. 4. Herestores my soul. 1. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lets Keep in Touch 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. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are . And for the sake of His name and His glory, He guides our wills to line up with His. That the good Shepherd protects us and saves us by diying on the cross. Psalm 23 begins with the sentence above. It is a psalm that heals, delivers, comforts, and set free. But then, he quickly switches to phrases like, Hebrews Chapter 4 A Rest Remains for Gods People. Sorry. Is your relationship with God intimate enough for you to boldly call him your Shepherd? 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. paths of righteousness--those of safety, as directed by God, and pleasing to Him. 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? .. 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. Psalm 23 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. When was Psalm 23 Written? Psalm 23 KJV. It is a Psalm that speaks about seasons in our lifes journey and what matters in those seasons. How to Feel the Holy Ghosts Presence, According to the Bible, This article uses the New King James Version, but there are, Partially based on an email with two words for each line like: " 'The Lord is my Shepherd' --, this great relationship with Him. The 22nd Psalm in the Vulgate and some Catholic bibles Can you trust him to shepherd you through life? And all enemies will be gone forever. I shall not want, not because of what I've done or can do but because God loves me. Fairchild, Mary. He restored my soul = That's Healing! "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" -- That's the blessing and power of grace, through faith remembering "God is Love," not just words! Our faith in God must not be only when the times are good. Learn more about the meaning and significance of this well-known phrase from Psalms 23. It is a psalm of life, rest, and peace. God anoints your head with oil speaks of being filled with his presence daily. 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. 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 truth is during this Covid19, my family and I have enjoyed Jesus as our Shepherd; provision, rest, restoration, peace, presence, leading and protection. I have everything I need now, and everything I need in the future will be provided. 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. 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 also knew that God would care for him just like a shepherd will care for his sheep. As I read, three questions came to mind. Lectionary Calendar. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Thats the ultimate blessing! A forward mail. (see John 10:11). He leads me beside still waters. She is wife to an amazing man and mom to two children. David knew that God would restore his soul from a broken and weary state. I got this from an email. When we spend time meditating on God's Word, we find rest and nourishment for our souls. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; In Psalm 23 David also portrays the Lord as a gracious host. 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. # Walk in LoveWalk by Faith..Live by the Word..#. It is in Gods presence that we grow, change, and are transformed forever. I have a friend who is an unbeliever. No one can rest in mind and heart until the weight of a guilty conscience is removed. God is not a blind guide; he always leads you on the path of purpose and prosperity. I guess God led me here. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. It is the universal Psalm, the chief Psalm, the pearl of Psalms. A father was once holding his little blind daughter on his knee, when a friend who had called took her in his arms. To God be the Glory! - Luke 15:4 (ESV). Shepherds use tools (rod and staff) to lead and guide their sheep. If your world seems chaotic or unfulfilling, ask yourself, Am I allowing God to lead me?. That means we can choose to let God lead our lives. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. As I read the article, I, "I truly love reading this prayer, and been given insight on what it means. 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? Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. This gave him the confidence to boldly declare those words. Heres whybecause the Bible is a living document. Rest in the green pastures and refreshment by the still waters are to fit us for work. We see this come to play as he stood before Goliath. He knew God as a provider hence he could confidently declare I will not lack. Then we shall lay aside the pilgrim dress and the sword and we shall put on the royal robe and sit down with Him. "For His namesake" -- That gives a higher purpose for life! I dont know the real author. Why do I still feel guilty about my past sins? But it is for us. Even though Iwalk through the valley ofthe shadow of death, I willfear no evil. He begins Psalm 23 with this sentence. This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = Thats Hope! Before David became king of Israel, he was a shepherd. May Our Lord Jesus, The Good Shepherd give us more insight of the Word God so that we can share with others. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = . Thou anointest my head with oil Or ointment, as the Syriac and Arabic interpreters render it, namely, with aromatic ointments, which were then used in great feasts. Imagine you are invited to a magnificent banquet with a huge table filled with all kinds of food and drinks to feast on. I thank God for your inspiration. At feasts in Bible times, the heads of the distinguished guests were anointed with perfumed oil. He restoreth my soul = That's Healing! As I did, the familiarity faded, and I felt as though I was reading it with new eyes. 1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Read it as many times as you need to until the meaning begins to sink in. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = Thats What Does it Mean That Jesus Was Gods Begotten Son? Whenever a sheep strays, the shepherd finds and restores him back to the flock. For Thou art with me = Thats Faithfulness! 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. ", wants. Pray for God to help you understand, then reread the psalm. ", Jesus told his disciples to come on and "follow me" now. the lord is our shepherd, and we shall never want. This proclaims the metaphor of the psalm, that god is like our shepherd. He leads me beside the still waters = Thats Refreshment! "Lessons From Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd." Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shalldwellin the house of theLord forever.. It is a calming assurance that comes with choosing to abide daily in Gods presence. Your cup overflows with blessings and abundance from God. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. About Mary. He begins Psalm 23 with this sentence, The Lord is my Shepherd. 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. & Victory always follows faith. "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). Praying will help you as well. Are you that open to that kind of new life (following the Shepherd)? He provides for us here in this world. Psalm 23 Explained Beautifully. 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). Sheep are pretty helpless animals, unable to defend themselves. "Lessons From Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd." In Mark 6:34, Jesus compared the people to sheep: And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29). Here these tools represent Gods protection, care, and guidance, and not symbols of discipline as elsewhere in the Bible. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = Then we shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever., God Help Me: Find help in every time of need. Psalm 23 begins with a powerful statement of declaration by David about who God is to him. 2. Psalm 23 is a psalm of King David expressing confidence and trust in the Lord. With this assurance comes faith to declare boldly your identity in God. Only a shepherd could write Psalm 23, and David was a shepherd. 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. What Does the Bible Say About Eternal Life? When we look back over life, the trials are out-weighed by His love. Listen to this beautiful song titled Psalm 23 by the Zoe Group. But here's what we need to understand: we can't see God as Shepherd if we don't see ourselves as sheep. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. The shepherds rod and staff were used to guide and protect the sheep and lead them away from potential predators. The Lord is my Shepherd = Thats Relationship! The writer paints an enticing picture of who God is to him and uses metaphor to relate his experiences while walking with God. Psalms 23:1-6. 3. He restores and heals our minds and emotions, renewing and strengthening our very lives! Sometimes we stray from the Lord, too. God is our Shepherd and like a Good Shepherd, He will provide for His own for every need we will ever have (Philippians 4:19). The devil wants you to feel guilty, but do not listen to him. I heard a pastor say that this verse clearly states that the valleys of life are to be walked through, but some people tend to put up a tent and camp there. Psalm 23 explained beautifully gives a picture of an intimate relationship with a heavenly father who knows and cares about you. Intimacy with God births confidence in us as his children. (Psalm 96: 8, 9) That scripture can make the 23rd Psalm become more real to you. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. His blessings span the years. God was like a shepherd to David, and David was like a sheep to God. Gods goodness and mercy are never-ending. The inspiring text is often quoted at funeral services and memorial events. But then, he quickly switches to phrases like valley, shadow of death, and fear no evil in the following verses. 5 Lessons I Learned From Psalm 23 How To Rest Your Mind From Worrying | Day 1 God Wants To Restore You | Day 2 Feeling Lost And Confused? Who better than King David to describe his relationship with God using a shepherd and his sheep? 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. Do you not see it? David said he makes me to lie down in green pastures meaning that it is God that gives rest. Does the Pandemic Still Affect Church Attendance? My cup overflows with blessings.Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,And I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Thank you. Some people find reading commentaries on passages of scripture helpful. Another figure expresses God's provided care. In Deuteronomy 8 Moses told the Israelites that God "let them be hungry" to test them and to teach them (vv. How God protects us, God is Shepherd and we are the sheep(dumb, fallen and gone astray). Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? 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":"