The world could spare many a large book better than this sunny little psalm. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures psalms 23. The psalmist will trust, even though all be unknown. Steven cole if we are in his will, we need not fear either man or devil. Phillip keller has written a book on psalm 23 entitled a shepherd looks at psalm 23, which has many helpful insights. Page by page, keller reveals new facets of the shepherd of psalm 23 and his tireless, devoted care of his sheep.
Moreover, in this easter season, psalm 23 serves a reminder to live in the face of danger and misfortune, even in the shadows of darkness that might surround us, and to know that in living we will be sustained. Any person who knows anything about sheep knows that they will never lie down when they are hungry. Threatenings against the enemies of christs kingdom. Psalms resources commentaries, sermons, illustrations, devotionals. Psalm 23 is the 23rd psalm of the book of psalms, generally known in english by its first verse, in the king james version, the lord is my shepherd. Psalm 23 book series 15 books all formats kindle edition from book 1. Psalm 23 is in reality a brief expounding of eight names of god in. Bailey has written many books in english and arabic, including the cross and the prodigal and jesus through middle eastern eyes. The books of samuel represent the transition from the time of the judges to the time of the kings. Learn how your vulnerability is not a liability because you can trust the shepherds goodness throughout each season of life. The psalm, which was written by david about 3,000 years ago, still has some things to teach us today. What does david mean when he speak of the valley of the shadow of death. Psalms 23 many of davids psalms are full of complaints, but this is full of comforts, and the expressions of delight in gods great goodness and dependence upon him. But there are dangers involvedit points to a fearful place of extreme danger and darkness.
Weldon phillip keller 19201997 wrote more than thirtyfive books on christian subjects, including his most popular book a shepherd looks at psalm 23 the son of missionary parents in kenya, keller grow up in africa before becoming a world citizen as a photographer, agronomist, and author. Paperback usually ships in 2 to 3 days more buying. Hundreds of books have been published, but it has never been exhausted. Valleys have the best source of water and thus provide the best feeding spots on the way to higher ground. Keller infuses new hope into our relationship with christ. Study questions about psalm 23 the lord is my shepherd. The collected psalms comprise the largest book in the bible and the most frequently quoted old testament book in the new testament. The confidence they may have of his continual mercy, and their eternal happiness, 6 notes on psalm xxiii. Psalm 117 represents the middle out of 1189, in the bible. Phillip keller shares his insights into the life and character of sheepand of the good shepherd who loves and cares for them.
Many of us have heard about gods staff and rod in psalm 23, but do. Knowing david was a shepherd in his early years, we may be inclined to interpret this psalm from the perspective of the shepherd. Psalms 23 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this. Psalms 23 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary. This name for god is frequently combined with other words to form more specific descriptions of him. Psalms 23 commentary james burton coffman commentaries. It has dried many tears and supplied the mould into which many hearts have poured their peaceful faith. Psalm 22 in septuagintvulgate numbering would correspond to psalm 23 in. Second, when i think of psalm 23 and how it applies to my life today, im hit with a sudden realization. Psalm 23, english standard version 2016 esv the bible app. The message and structure psalm 23 psalm 23 is a psalm which has brought comfort and hope to many people over many years. The book of psalms is the third section of the hebrew bible, and a book of the christian old testament. Phillip keller gave us a shepherd looks at psalm 23, and it continues to encourage and inspire christians with its classic insights into the heart of the good shepherd, jesus christ.
The prayerbook version brings out the full sense, therefore can i lack. The sinfulness and misery of a wicked man, the ground and reason of both. This beloved psalm can breathe new life into women who are weary and unsure of their next steps. Psalms 23 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. J vernon mcgee writes to put it succinctly, in psalm 22 we see the cross, in psalm 23 the crook the shepherds crook, and in psalm 24 the crown the kings crown. Often mistakenly attributed to the new testament, it is actually one of the psalms of david, as indicated in its superscription v.
In this 7session study by jennifer rothschild, gain fresh insight and encouragement from psalm 23. Psalm chapter 23 matthew henry complete commentary on. Matthew henry bible commentary complete read all of psalm 23 complete concise many of davids psalms are full of complaints, but this is full of comforts, and the expressions of delight in gods great goodness and dependence upon him. Even in the greatest dangers they may be confident of his support, 4. The book of the psalms is probably the best known part of the old testament ot.
For more devotional thoughts consider spurgeons the treasury of david. Yea, though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil. Is perfect as a treasured selfpurchase or gift for any occasion. This study guide was developed in preparation for teaching adult bible classes. In the presence of mine enemies psalm 23 mysteries volume 15 go to book. David has left no sweeter psalm than the short twentythird psalms 23. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Psalm 23 study will take you through this short scripture passage with a series of discussion questions.
My pastor was talking about the rod and staff and mentioned a book, the psalm23. The first book of samuel covers a time of about 90 years starting at samuels birth around 1100 bc unto the death of saul around the year 1010 bc. In the greek septuagint version of the bible, and in its latin translation in the vulgate, this psalm is psalm 22 in a slightly different. Psalms 23 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, like many of ironsides writings, are a standard that has stood the test of time. Study questions, discussion questions, essay topics for psalm 23 the lord is my shepherd.
Not only do i know psalm 23 better, but i better know the lord as my shepherd. Since the psalm is usually quoted in its king james translation or in one. Psalm 22 is the 22nd psalm of the book of psalms, generally known in english by its first verse. The lord willing, i intend to add more outlines on various psalms sometime in the future. Psalm 23 reminds readers that goodness can pursue them as well as travails. Travel the shepherds path to the green pastures and cool, refreshing waters of psalm 23. Messianic psalm 23 bible study jesus our great shepherd. A good followup to this psalm is psalm 100, which expresses the praise we should render to god as his people and the sheep of his pasture. Since there are such a large number of resources on this page 10,000 links you might consider beginning with the more recent commentaries that briefly discuss all 150 psalms paul apple 750 pages, thomas constable, david guzik, bob utley. The second book of samuel describes the reign of david around 1010 to 970 bc. Psalms 23 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available. Explore the depths of gods compassionate care while debunking the selfreliance myth. The lord is my shepherd he hath showed himself to be so by his gracious providences toward me.
It is a psalm which has been sung by good christians, and will be while the world stands, with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his names sake. The lord is my shepherd this psalm may well be called davids bucolicon, or pastoral. It psalm 23 has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my. Its been thirty five years and two million copies since w. The objectives are usually things i plan to emphasize during the class i have found that summarizing and outlining helps me to better understand the word of god.
We dread the unknown far above anything that we can see. The symbolism of the 23rd psalm has much more meaning to us today than we might imagine that it did in davids day, which was an agrarian society. To suppose that the speaker is the personified nation chills the whole. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed.
It is the psalm everyone turns to when alone and afraid, when in harms way on the battlefield, when surrounded by the splintered remains after a disaster, while lying on a hospital bed facing serious surgery, as prison bars slam shut, and when overwhelmed by grief. Psalms 23 commentary ironsides notes on selected books. Psalms with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Walk with jennifer rothschild through one of the most beloved psalms, and remember god will take care of you, no matter what. They are mainly to be found in the first, second and fifth book. Barnes identified this as the topic sentence of the whole psalm. A shepherd looks at psalm 23 will give new meaning to the ageless shepherd psalm, enriching your trust in and love for the lord who watches closely over you. Psalm 23 the lord is my shepherd i offer this linebyline exposition of the 23rd psalm so that we can look to see exactly what david is telling us under the inspiration of the holy spirit. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the seashore. If you do not own a copy of phillip kellers classic book a shepherd looks at. Psalm 23 30 literary commentary t he lord is my shepherd is probably the bestknown statement in the book of psalms. It is a collection of 150 poems or songs by various authors and it is divided into five books similar to the pentateuch.
He writes from the background of growing up in east africa and later making his living as a sheep. And that paled in comparison to what i received from the rest of the book. Many women know psalm 23 by heart but havent experienced its power in their lives. Read and study psalms 23 with the versebyverse bible commentary. There is not a more familiar setting to meet god than in psalm 23. One of these structures is called chiastic cross over.