psalm 23 explained beautifully

Forever = Thats Eternity! He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = Thats Guidance! Theres not one person on the planet who hasnt experienced some pain, disappointment or grief in their soul. 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. Now if the Lord is our Shepherd, that makes us the sheep. Our soul is comprised of our mind, will, and emotions. . She is wife to an amazing man and mom to two children. Are you a child of God? What is sufficient? % of people told us that this article helped them. John 10:14 ESV - I am the good shepherd. He was the teenage boy who was called on from tending sheep and anointed king before his family. David knew this because he had come to see God as a personal shepherd to him. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, 4. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" -- That's splendid contentment -- plenty of rest! Even in the bleakest, blackest times of life, we dont have to fear harm because our God is with us. The Bible never changes, but it always changes something in us when we read it. But God heals the troubled soul when He forgives our sins. Let us now explore Psalm 23 line by line and phrase by phrase: The Lord is my shepherd. References In the presence of mine enemies Who seeing, envying, and fretting at it, are not able to hinder it. That the good Shepherd protects us and saves us by diying on the cross. 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. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 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. 1 Peter 5:4 ESV - And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. She loves learning from peoples stories/experiences and getting lost in the words of a good book. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. He was clearly referring to the fact that He was giving His life to save us, His sheep. With Gods love and goodness overtaking us, we can dwell in His presence every day until we finally spend eternity with Him. 1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23 is one of the most popular and beloved psalms in the Bible. When we look back over life, the trials are out-weighed by His love. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. He shows off by abundantly blessing us before the very ones who want to see us fall! 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. 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 (Psalm 23:4). Psalm 23 is so important to us today because it will speak to you in the good and bad times. https://www.learnreligions.com/psalm-23-the-lord-is-my-shepherd-700375 (accessed March 1, 2023). The imagery of God as a shepherd is common throughout the Old Testament. It is wilderness foodthe manna of His promise, and water out of the Rock. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Restoration speaks of refreshing and renewal. Shepherds use tools (rod and staff) to lead and guide their sheep. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Calvary.". 3. Read next: Discover more Bible verses meaning or read the next article: Meaning of Matthew 17:20 "Truly I tell you . He leadeth me beside the still waters = Thats Refreshment! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The opening of Psalm 23 beautifully shows what we can gain from surrendering and allowing God to lead our lives. Throughout the chapter, he addresses God by name. X Good bless you. God was like a shepherd to David, and David was like a sheep to God. 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? Jesus said, as we read in John 10:27, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.. Beautiful explanation of psalm 23, thank you! He makes me lie down in greenpastures. No one can rest in mind and heart until the weight of a guilty conscience is removed. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. He restoreth my soul = That's Healing! Psalm 23 explained beautifully gives a picture of an intimate relationship with a heavenly father who knows and cares about you. God is always in control of what is happening, but we also have free will. Verses 4 and 5 confirm this as well. What Is the Significance of Not the Letter but of the Spirit? 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. I thank God for your beautiful way of explaining Psalm 23. This gave him the confidence to boldly declare those words. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Without a shepherd to protect and guide them, sheep are easy targets for predators. 2. green pastures--or, "pastures of tender grass," are mentioned, not in respect to food, but as places of cool and refreshing rest. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = Thats Hope! Thank you. Thanks be to the father that he has a place for me forever. He begins Psalm 23 with this sentence, The Lord is my Shepherd. Seriously. When David was still a teenager, God chose him to be king. Even when faced with death, we dont need to be afraid. To God be the Glory! God bless you and grsnt you more insight into His word in Jesus name, amen. By them, he guides his sheep. 2-3). In the gospel plan, works do not precede but follow rest. 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. As I read this again, I realized that if God is our Shepherd, that means means we give Him control of our life. (LogOut/ Used with permission. In the darkest and most trying hour, God is near. Psalms 24. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. But the good news is this: our Shepherd cares for us, and He is able to restore our souls. May Our Lord Jesus, The Good Shepherd give us more insight of the Word God so that we can share with others. Psalm 23 Explained Beautifully. He leads me beside still waters. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. (Psalm 96: 8, 9) That scripture can make the 23rd Psalm become more real to you. The writer paints an enticing picture of who God is to him and uses metaphor to relate his experiences while walking with God. As guests of the Lord, we can dine safely, even in the presence of our enemies. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. Pray for God to help you understand, then reread the psalm. I know my own and my own know me. We find ourselves in need of God's forgiveness and restoration, which he offers freely to those who repent and return to him. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = . The meaning of Psalm 23 starts with a beautiful picture of joy, peace, rest, and abundance. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Psalm 23 is one of the most popular and beloved psalms in the Bible. It is a calming assurance that comes with choosing to abide daily in Gods presence. The Lord not only supplies our needs but blesses beyond the measure we can contain. Imagine you are invited to a magnificent banquet with a huge table filled with all kinds of food and drinks to feast on. Your email address will not be published. Does the Pandemic Still Affect Church Attendance? Well, here is one commentary, one phrase at a time. Submit your request and our prayer team will pray for you. The meaning of Psalm 23 is a song of gratitude to a loving God in a painful world. There is much more you can draw from this beautiful Psalm. It paints a beautiful picture of serenity, peace, and the security that comes with trusting in God. I woke up scared and needing encouragement and immediately I was led to recite psalm 23 and while reciting it, I needed to understand every statement to for impact .and lo and behold I came across this site that perfectly explains it to me and i feel so blessed and at peace .Thank God . You literally cannot dwell on bad thoughts and the blessings of God at the same time. By using our site, you agree to our. After all, If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Romans 8:31). In spiritual communion with Him, the hungry heart finds food that satisfies. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake (vv. So, too, the very sheep of the Lord's pasture are to be oil-anointed guests. It brings us comfort in our darkest hours because it creates beautiful imagery of . Sometimes we stray from the Lord, too. These words are rich in their meaning as they speak of peace, comfort, security, guidance, and Gods unfailing love. (LogOut/ Through this beautiful metaphor, Psalm 23 gives us invaluable insights into the character of God and His plan for His children. Sheep have a natural tendency to wander off and get lost. A shepherd describes a more close and devoted relationship. 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. 5. 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. He makes me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest! Article Images Copyright . "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." And by these blessings to which the great Shepherd leads us, we find our souls restored, the natural life invigorated, the spiritual life reborn. Psalms 23:1-6. Let us look at this beautiful chapter in the Bible, Psalm 23 meaning and significance. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23 begins with a powerful statement of declaration by David about who God is to him. Remember: the Lord's grace is sufficient -- as you follow Him and Glorify God (Christianity) in your life. 1. For Thou art with me = Thats Faithfulness! Thou preparest a table before me Thou furnishest me with plenty and variety of provisions and comforts. Let us look at this beautiful chapter in the Bible. In Psalm 23, God is using the analogy of sheep and their nature to describe us. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? I shall not want because God, as a good shepherd, will ensure I have everything I need. a table before me in the presence of mine enemies =, Ambassadors For Christ Ministries International, ambassadorsforchristministriesinternational. When the apostle Paul stood before Nero, he was not alone. As you walk through life, will you trust God to lead and guide you into the fullness of his purpose for your life? The next time we sit at the table of the Lord, let us brush aside any thought that it is the table of the church. The prophet Samuel anointed him king, but it would be another decade or more before David was recognized by Israel. We can rest and relax knowing that God is taking care of us. Psalm 23:5-6 ESV Youprepare a table before me inthe presence of my enemies; youanoint my head with oil; mycup overflows. Psalm 23 is the most famous of the psalms, a sequence of ancient hymns that comprise a whole book of the Bible. In 2 Timothy 4:16-17, he says: At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me!Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.. The enemy cannot stop the blessings of God in your life because God has chosen to bless you abundantly right before their watching eyes. And it is written: As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come (1 Corinthians 11:26). We learn it in Sunday school, see it in funeral programs, and notice it on church dcor. This is how God cares for us. (see John 10:11). 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). It is memorized and repeated in all lands. Read my full disclosure. Thou preparesta table before me in the presence of mine enemies = However bright our path, somewhere along the wayperhaps around the next turnsits the shadow feared of man. Unexpectedly, we may come to the deepest, darkest valley of allthe valley of the shadow of death. This means that no matter how things may look, I will rest in this truth I will lack nothing and all my needs will be met because God will provide what I need when I need it. Jesus said no one will snatch you out of my hands! I have read this a few times before but this has touched me alot. Even non-Christians have heard it because it seems to be a favorite at funerals, weddings, and other religious events. They carried a rod and staff to protect and correct their sheep; they beat off any beast trying to attack, and they prodded sheep who were going the wrong way to steer them back to safety. 'The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want' - Meaning of Psalm 23 Explained, 30 Verses to Reflect on in the Book of Hebrews. Some of the keywords used in this Psalm include green pastures, restore, still waters, cup, overflow, paths of righteousness, namesake, valley of the shadow of death, table, comfort, thy rod and thy staff, goodness, and mercy. forever. 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. And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. But here's what we need to understand: we can't see God as Shepherd if we don't see ourselves as sheep. When we spend time meditating on God's Word, we find rest and nourishment for our souls. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are . 3. This psalm of David is loved the world over for its calming and healing wisdom. Learn more about the meaning and significance of this well-known phrase from Psalms 23. He knows each of our comings and goings, he knows every hair on our heads, he knows when even one of us is lost and has made every provision to find us through His Son Jesus Christ. "He restoreth my soul" -- That's provision for revitalization and healing! "Have faith in GOD!" You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. God can be a guide, comforter, helper, and friend to you today. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. We can never stray so far that God's long arm of grace can't reach us. 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. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. .. Come, join the TBTG Family. Yea, though I walk through the valley of t he shadow of death = Thats Testing! For the more we know him, the more we become confident of his love, grace, and blessings. Psalm 23:5. Sheep need guidance to safe pastures, and we too need a Shepherd to guide us to safety and lead us to provision. It's as Isaiah has said: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way" ( Isaiah 53:6 ). Even on your worst day, you will see Gods blessings overflowing in your life if you look for them. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = Thats Security! And for the sake of His name and His glory, He guides our wills to line up with His. 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. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 191,942 times. Let this Psalm give you comfort when you are in a time of distress, pain, grief, discouragement, disappointment. This article has been viewed 191,942 times. "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness" -- That's leadership and guidance in following God's will! David calls God a shepherd and declares that because God is his shepherd, hence he shall not lack any good thing. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Isaiah 53 is full of Messianic scriptures describing what the Messiah would be like. Psalm 23 is one of the most dearly loved, soul-comforting passages of Scripture. His rod and His staff comfort us; His law and His gospel contribute to our correction and support. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = Thats Discipline! David through Psalm 23 talks about his personal relationship with God using the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep. 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. The Lord is my Shepherd: Psalm 23 Explained, Jesus was the Shepherd who became a sheep, The 7 "I Am" Statements of Jesus Explained, 10 Bible Verses that Have Changed My Life. I am going to make it my priority to share, at the least, the Lord's prayer with this purpose, starting within my very own family. 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 7 Tests to See if Your Worship Is Truly Christian or Pagan, 3 Bad Church Approaches to Good Money Stewardship, 5 Critical Rules to Teach Your Kids to Help Them Stay Safe, 4 Things You Should Know about Jesus Revolution, Jesus on Adultery: Its More Controversial Than You Think, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. This verse also shows God as a guide who leads us through life on paths that honor his name and bring glory to him. they comfort me (v. 4). StudyLght.org. Thank you Lord for Psalm23. He restores and heals our minds and emotions, renewing and strengthening our very lives! For something 3,000 years old, it is extremely relevant for our lives today. But if we live in the lie that we can do this on our own, we wander and drift away from our true source, looking for satisfaction in artificial places. I have been blessed this morning. Most account it to be a psalm of David's maturity, but with vivid remembrance of his youth as a shepherd. During the valleys of life, you must remember the last two lines of this verse, that God is with you and will comfort you as you walk. When was Psalm 23 Written? Psalm 23 is a song of gratitude that tells David's relationship with God as his shepherd. Mary is a minister's wife, mom of two boys, and former missionary to Scotland. Then you can repeat the 23rd Psalm and know that it is yoursit was written for you. Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable chapters in the entire Bible. The picture of the divine Shepherd leading His flock fills the first four verses of Psalm 23. As I read the article, I, "I truly love reading this prayer, and been given insight on what it means. When the three young men of Babylon found themselves in the fire for conscience's sake, the form of the Fourth walked with them in the flames. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Recently, I was reading through Psalms and scanned over chapter 23. Who better than King David to describe his relationship with God using a shepherd and his sheep? Whereas a king might do what's best for the majority, a shepherd knows and stewards each one of his sheep. i would just like to ask for permission to share it.. then ill just include that its from this site and Georgy (you?).. But then, he quickly switches to phrases like valley, shadow of death, and fear no evil in the following verses. (English Standard Version)A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters.He restores my soul.He leads 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 mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Jesus is called the good shepherd and we as his children are the sheep of his pasture. "Truly, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" -- That's about. Psalm 23 helps us see God as a father who leads his children on paths of righteousness, progress, and victory. Hence, he could clearly talk about his relationship and experience with God using the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep. "This article gave me a boost to wait on the shepherd, because he is the one who takes care of all my need and, "Because we read it in old King James version decades ago ,it was a bit difficult to grasp, but with modern English, "I was searching for something and it was not an accident to click wikiHow. It is no wonder that this Psalm has been a great source of comfort and hope to many in trying times, difficult seasons of life, and even in the face of death. Psalm 23 is not just talking about David and his relationship with God, it speaks deeply about our personal relationship with God. These words are rich in their meaning as they speak of peace, comfort, security, guidance, and Gods unfailing love. Psalm 23 is a psalm of King David expressing confidence and trust in the Lord. "My cup runneth over" -- That's His abundance flowing to you and out to others! Why read it again? It does not mean that He will provide for every thing we want, but for everything that we need. It is not enough to sing and memorize the words of Psalm 23. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. "Lessons From Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd." 23rd Psalm - The Lord is my shepherd (KJV) Psalm 23:1-6 1. Our faith in God must not be only when the times are good. Praise You Jesus Amen. To restore the soul is to revive or quicken it ( Psalms 19:7 ), or relieve it ( Lamentations 1:11 Lamentations 1:19 ). The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. A shepherd cares deeply not only for all his sheep as a whole but also for each and every single one. According to Psalm 139, God's omniscience knows all about us (verses 1-6). But even there, the Shepherd is with us and we need fear no evil. We figuratively pitch our tent in the valley. Sarah Garrett is a passionate educator and founder of the Transformed4More Ministries that she runs with her identical twin sister. Psalm 23 ends with these words And I shalldwellin the house of theLord forever. thy rod and thy staff--are symbols of a shepherd's office. 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":"