A Commentary On Psalm 23
This is content I have previously written but I don't think I ever published. It is based on God's Psychiatry by Charles Allen.
Actually, I wrote this for my wife and some circumstances we were going through. I hope you enjoy it.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The sheep never worry about what will happen tomorrow, where they will go... They know that the shepherd has planned their day and will take care of all of their needs. The sheep are just supposed to trust and follow.
God doesn't promise us an easy life. We will have trials and tribulations. We will have financial and health problems, but God promises us he will be with us and will provide for all our needs.
All we have to do is follow and God will take care of us and provide all of our needs, financial, emotional...
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
In the hot summer sun, the sheep can get tired. During noontime, the shepherd finds a place for the sheep to rest.
God wants us to work, the bible says he who doesn't work, doesn't eat. However, God wants us to rest too.
Often we need to follow his instructions and rest and spend time in the presence of the Lord.
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Sheep are horrible swimmers. Their wool is like trying to swim with clothes on. The shepherd needs to find a spot where the water is still so the sheep can safely drink.
If there is no safe spot, the shepherd will create one. He will find stones and place them in a way so that in a strong river a pool of still water can be created.
Life is not going to be easy, but God is with us and is always leading us to still waters to nourish us and keep us strong.
3 He restoreth my soul:
God promises us to give us strength, but we must obey him. This involves the surrender of trying to figure and fix things our way. We should ALWAYS pray and seek God's guidance BEFORE we worry and try to figure things out on our own.
If there is no answer or nothing we can do, we should trust God that he is working behind the scenes and using it for our good and the good of the kingdom.
We must pray, constantly try to stay in his presence, and obey.
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
God will lead us in the right paths, pray for his guidance and he will lead us and prosper us so we can testify in the name of Jesus of his goodness.
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.
The valley of the shadow of death was an actual valley in Israel. It was very dangerous but most shepherds had to walk through it.
Often sheep would fall off the cliff and can't make it back up. A curved stick (the staff) would allow the shepherd to grab the sheep under their legs and pull them back up.
A large stick or club (the rod) would allow the shepherd to fight off any predators. Remember, David fought off a lion and a bear.
During the dangerous time in our lives, God is still walking with us. He is there to save us if we fall off course. He is there to fight our enemies. Don't be afraid and just trust him.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
When the sheep would graze, often there were deadly plants, plants with thorns... The shepherd had to remove these by hand so the sheep could safely graze in peace.
He went before the sheep and removed all of these plants and weeds that could harm them.
We have enemies all around us but we do not need to be afraid. God is going before us and removing and protecting us from our enemies.
We never need to fear, God is taking care of us.
thou anointest my head with oil;
The shepherd would take each sheep INDIVIDUALLY, encourage them, check for wounds and apply heated healing oil so that they could safely heal and not get infected.
We need to spend individual time with the LORD. He is with us, we should try to be with him. He will take care of us.
my cup runneth over.
At the end of the day, the shepherd would give a good long drink of cool water from a big cup.
No matter what is going on we are blessed. God will nourish us and our cup will runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
Yes, there are a lot of bad things in the world. The Bible says we will have trials and tribulations. Yet, do not let this blind you to the goodness and blessings that are abundant.
Even the trials and tribulations, God promises to use for our good.
We don't know how or when, but God is in control and it all will work out for his glorious plan for us.
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
As children of God, we have to promise to live forever with God.
Posted from my blog with Exxp : https://johnkarnish.com/a-commentary-on-psalm-23/