Verse 1
·
The Psalm begins The LORD…… Why do you think
David says “The LORD” instead of “God”
·
My shepherd. What are the qualities of a
shepherd which make this a suitable analogy for David’s relationship with God?
·
Would it make any difference if David said “a”
shepherd or “the” shepherd?
·
What is the result of David having The LORD as
his shepherd? Does this mean David will
always get what he asks for? What about
Christians who suffer?
Verse 2
·
What is the shepherd providing in these
verses? Why does the sheep have to rely on the shepherd for these? What does
this mean for David?
Verse 3a
·
What does this mean for David?
Verse 3b
·
What are paths of righteousness?
·
What is the LORD’s purpose in leading in this
way?
Verse 4
·
What would a shepherd use a rod and staff for?
How would that comfort David?
Verse 5
·
Here we see the LORD as a host. What is it
about customs in those times which make this analogy work alongside that of a
shepherd?
Verse 6
·
What are
the consequences of the LORD’s commitment to David?
How does this apply to the Lord Jesus?
How does this apply to us?
Main idea?
Theme sentence.
Points for praise from this Psalm.
Background notes
The LORD
The Hebrew term Yhwh is
believed to derive from the root hwy, meaning “to be.” The name suggests
that God simply is.
Also, this name became a special
designation which emphasized God’s relationship to the nation of Israel. It
stresses his enduring presence with Israel in their redemptive history.
God’s covenant with Abraham Genesis 15
- ratified with sacrifice. The LORD was committed to the covenant. For the
sacrifice animals were cut in half and normally both parties would walk through,
but God walked through alone showing he promised to keep the covenant for both
sides.
Shepherd
The shepherd took total responsibility
for the sheep to protect them and provide for their needs.
The Lord as Host
Hospitality. Guests were anointed when
they arrived for a banquet as a sign of honour. To fail to anoint the guest was
a mark of disrespect. The host also
took the responsibility of protecting him. The story of Lot offers graphic
evidence of the importance of protection.
(Gen 19:8, RSV).
Alec Motyer Psalm 23 Sermon
1. I shall not want – provision
2. I will fear no evil – protection
3. I will dwell in house of Lord for
ever. Need for assurance and certainty
. We don’t know what to expect but the one expectation is sure, I will dwell in
the house of Lord for ever.
Some points in detail
Lord attends in person to every need
because he is shepherd. Just one of the pictures of the Lord. No picture
contains all the truth, every picture true all the time.
v2 rest – Makes me lie down in green pastures he’s in
charge all the time.
activity –
leads me beside still waters
v3 inwardly
- he restores my soul
outwardly - he leads me in paths of righteousness
v4,5 Life’s
troubles
v5 Life’s
joys
Dark times and feasting times Lord
looks after us.
v 6 enemy
and friend
v5,6 ongoing
present – surely goodness and mercy will follow me
future –
will dwell in house of Lord
In every situation, in every
circumstance in every time Lord is attending to every need.
As need grows greater presence becomes
greater – v4 ‘my’ in deepest darkness Lord ceases to become ‘He’ out front but
‘you’ alongside. Close presence of the personal God
v5 No matter what circumstance he can
provide. Maybe written when fleeing from Absalom. The party – Barzillai the Gileadite brought
out bread …. and cakes and raisins and water. To meet king in wilderness. David
saw hand of God.
v2 He leads me – he’s out in front.
v4 He is with me – in front too.
v6 Bringing up the rear – goodness and
mercy follow me.
On a road that leads home come what
may. Road does not make sense to us. He leads me in paths of righteousness (
that which is right with God ) A path which is right in his eyes, make sense to
him, even if not to us.
I dwell in the house of the Lord for
ever. ( Temple not built yet ) Eternal habitation.
Rico Tice All Souls Langham Place
David was capable of great sins. He
had a heart for the Lord. So what holds
his life together?
Whatever the situation David is
convinced The Lord is his shepherd.
This is because of the covenant love
of God – a God who commits himself to his people.
Mainspring of David’s theology is
God’s covenant.
v6 Your goodness and love will follow
me. That’s what David had grasped.
God makes promises we can trust.
We talk about committed Christians but
we have a committed God a committed Shepherd, who lays down life for sheep.
As you go through difficult times the
Lord is your shepherd.
The LORD YAHWEH – God’s covenant name
revealed to Moses. Holy, faithful, committed God was going to save and rescue
his people – that’s his character.
450 years previously had made a
promise to Abraham which he was going to keep.
IS
He is committed whatever is devouring us now.
MY
Lord is “MY” shepherd not “a”
or “the”. I may wander off but he is my shepherd.
SHEPHERD Takes responsibility for the flock, for you.
We are sheep who keep straying.
Shepherd is also KING. Lays down life
for sheep. Jesus.
v6 Host takes total responsibility for
the guests.
He is provider and protector.
Verse 1 provider – Exodus – God
provided cloud and fire, food, water, clothes which did not wear out.
Provides for my soul too.
Green pastures – ease and safety. Do you
have a slave driver God- this is not the God of the Bible. Sabbath rest
v3 Refreshes soul – gives my life back
to me. As I come weary – go to him –
Protector – to guide me in right
paths. In scripture right relating to God and others. Relational thing.
This means God lays down the course of
my life according to his right relating to me as my shepherd covenant God.
In practice will not take us on a path
which leads us away from Him. Nothing futile, pointless, irrelevant.
v3 For his name’s sake – lead you in a way which
brings honour to his name.
v4
Even in painful experiences I’ll fear no evil – for you are with me.
Travelling God with you.
Rod cudgel to defend the sheep.
Staff to haul sheep in right
direction.
Cudgel is the sovereignty that he
rules over all things. Authority he has given to Jesus over all things. Matt 28
Comfort – this is what makes life safe to be a Christian. Good shepherd is bigger
and stronger than death.
Does not mean I escape the darkest
vale. Not escapism.
When I’m worried sick I have to trust
him – because he is trustworthy. Committed God. In darkest time.
V5 Victory – there are enemies but I
eat a banquet. I have victory.
Will dwell in house of Lord forever.
Further Scripture References
Good and Bad Shepherds
Ezekiel 34 v 1 ff
Jeremiah 23 v 1-4
Isaiah 40 v 10 - 11
John 10 v 1- 18
Enemies
1 Peter 5:8
Ephesians 6 v 10-17
The LORD’S keeping power
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