{"id":1343,"date":"2015-12-15T11:18:00","date_gmt":"2015-12-15T16:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cristolaverdad.com\/?p=1343"},"modified":"2025-07-08T17:07:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T21:07:56","slug":"psalm-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cristolaverdad.com\/?p=1343","title":{"rendered":"Psalm 23"},"content":{"rendered":"
This entry is part 1 of 14 in the series Psalms<\/a><\/div>

We are going to use the same 4 steps mentioned previously<\/a>, to study PSALM 23:<\/p>\n

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1\/ Setting the context<\/u><\/span>: (abc’s)
\n<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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A)<\/strong> – A<\/b>uthor \u2014 The Holy Spirit inspired King David to write this psalm.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B)<\/strong> – B<\/b>ackground \u2014 When did the author live? In what culture? <\/span>Born in 907 BC, he reigned as king of Israel for 40 years, dying at age 70 in 837 BC. He was a farm boy, a shepherd &\u00a0 a musician, then became a warrior & a king. David had a heart for the Lord.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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C) – <\/b>C<\/strong>ontext<\/span> \u2014 Book of Psalm, Chapter 23:1-6<\/a> The Christian sees in this Psalm a wonderful foreshadowing of “The Good Shepherd” <\/b>Jesus Christ<\/strong>, (John 10<\/a>) who gave His life for His sheep & watches over them even now.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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For he is<\/i> our God<\/span>; <\/span>and we are<\/i> the people of his pasture, <\/span>and the sheep<\/strong> of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice<\/span>, do not harden your heart” Psalm 95:7-8 <\/a>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

2\/ What does the passage say? <\/span><\/span>(observation)<\/span><\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Read Prayerfully. Re-read the passage.<\/p>\n

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1 The Lord<\/b><\/span> is my<\/span> shepherd; I shall not want.
\n2 He <\/b>maketh me<\/span><\/span> to lie down in green pastures:
\nhe<\/b> leadeth me<\/span> beside the still waters.
\n3 He<\/b> restoreth my<\/span> soul:
\nhe<\/b> leadeth me<\/span> in the paths of righteousness for his name\u2019s sake.
\n4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
\nI will fear no evil: for thou<\/b> art with me<\/span>;
\nthy rod and thy staff they<\/span> comfort<\/span> me<\/span>.
\n5 Thou<\/b> preparest<\/span> a table before me<\/span> in the presence of mine enemies:
\nthou <\/b>anointest<\/span> my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
\n6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
\nand I will dwell in the house of the Lord<\/b><\/span> for ever. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n


\n– <\/span>Questions we may ask:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/b>
\nWhat is a shepherd? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>shepherd <\/span>is a<\/span> sheep farmer,<\/span> a pastor. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n What are<\/span> some of the duties of a Shepherd<\/span>? <\/span><\/span><\/span>Their main duty is<\/span> :<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n-To <\/span>guide<\/span><\/span> the sheep safely<\/span> from one place to another<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nHe has to make sure that <\/span>he<\/span> leads<\/span><\/span> them to:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

-graze, ( eat right food<\/span> )<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n-drink good clean water, <\/span>( right water<\/span><\/span> )<\/span>, <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>sheep <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>get sick easily when water is not good.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n–<\/span>make them rest<\/span><\/span> and then return <\/span>them<\/span> to the pen <\/span>for safety<\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n-He is responsible for<\/span> protecting<\/span> the sheep <\/span>day & night, <\/span>from wolves or<\/span> other predators<\/span>, <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n-to<\/span> examine & <\/span>keep them <\/span>healthy,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n–protec<\/span><\/span>t<\/span> them <\/span>from eating<\/span> poisonous <\/span>plants<\/span>, <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n-to <\/span>take care of the wounded & <\/span>heal<\/span> them<\/strong>, <\/span>etc. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nSheep are not <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>ferocious animals and have no ways to defend themselves from any predators, they depend on their shepherd for survival. The Shepherd knows what is best for the sheep and always acts in their best interests<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n – <\/span>Locate and mark any key words, repeated words or phrases & commands: In Psalms 23 – The Lord, & me. <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What King David realized and wrote so beautifully is that your Shepherd loves you. He really loves you & gave His life for you. <\/b><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3\/ What does it mean? <\/span><\/span><\/span>(meaning)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

-Carefully examine the text and let it speak for itself. Remember let Scripture interpret Scripture.<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span> -What is the main idea or lesson that the author & God was trying to communicate? – The Lord is my shepherd<\/i> I shall not want (<\/i>or <\/i>lack anything)<\/i><\/span><\/span>
\n-You can make an outline<\/strong> and\/or write down the general idea: <\/span>In this Psalm<\/i><\/span> King <\/i><\/span>D<\/i><\/span>avid begins by illustrating the <\/i><\/span>provision<\/b><\/i><\/span> of the <\/i><\/span>Lord, both physical and spiritual (<\/i><\/span>1-3<\/b><\/i><\/span>). David then describes the <\/i><\/span>protection<\/b><\/i><\/span> <\/i>& provision <\/i><\/span>of the Lord, as he travels through dangerous places and in the presence of enemies (<\/i><\/span>4-5<\/b><\/i><\/span>). The psalm ends with an expression of faith and hope in the Lord’s <\/i><\/span>care<\/b><\/i><\/span>, that God will furnish the goodness and mercy needed throughout life, so that he made abide in the house of the Lord forever (<\/i><\/span>6<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span>).<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

– You can look for Bible verses that relate to the passage (cross-references)<\/strong>.<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

OUTLINE<\/b>
\n<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

1. The Shepherd’s Provision & guidance <\/i>(23:1-3)<\/span> <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nThe source of provision & guidance is God’s presence, Josh.1:5-9<\/a><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

a. P<\/b>hysical, soul & Spiritual Provision<\/b> (1-2)<\/b> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>(<\/span>Is.40:11, Lk12:22-32, <\/span>Heb.13:20, <\/span>Jer.23:4<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures (Ez.34:14-15; Matt.11:28-29<\/a>)
\n3. He leads me beside the still waters <\/span>( <\/span><\/span><\/span>Rev. 7:17<\/a>)
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n b. <\/b>Soul Restoration <\/b>(3)<\/b>
\n1. He restores my soul (Psalm 51:10, 1 Peter 2:25<\/a><\/span>)<\/span>
\n2. He leads me<\/b> in the paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake\u00a0<\/span><\/span> (Psalm 5:8, 19:7, 143:11<\/a>;<\/span> 1Co 10:13<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>) <\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

2. The Shepherd’s Protection (23:4-5)<\/span><\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

a. <\/b>His faithfulness <\/b>through difficult times <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>(4), <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b>(Valley of the shadow of death, <\/span>Job 3:5<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/span> 1. I will fear no evil, for He is with me (<\/span>Mat<\/span>t.<\/span> 28:20; <\/span>Psalm 27:1-2,<\/span>138:7<\/span><\/a><\/span>) <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 2. His rod and staff comfort me (<\/span>Lev. 27:32<\/span><\/a>), (Ex. 4:2<\/a>, Exodus 4:20<\/a>) (Num.17; Eze. 20:37<\/a>)<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

b. I<\/b>n the presence of our enemies<\/b> (5)<\/b> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 1. He prepares a table before me in their presence (Psalm 78:19<\/a>, Jn 16:33<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>) <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 2. He anoints<\/b> my head with oil, my cup runs over (Psalm 16:5<\/a>, Ep<\/span><\/span><\/a>h<\/span><\/span><\/a> 3:<\/span><\/span><\/a>19-<\/span><\/span><\/a>2<\/span><\/span><\/a>1<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>).\u00a0 <\/span>
\nOil : Healing, James 5:14, Luke 10:34 <\/a>& Consecration: 1 John 2:27, <\/a>Exodus 29:7<\/a>, <\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span>30:22-31<\/a>,<\/span>Exodus 40:9<\/a>; 2 Kings 9:6<\/a>;\u00a0<\/span>
\nEcclesiastes 9:8<\/a>;<\/span> Acts 10:38<\/a>.
\n<\/span><\/span>
\n3. The Shepherd’s Everlasting Care (23:6)<\/span>
\n<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n a. A<\/b>ll the days of one’s life<\/b> (6a)<\/b>
\n1. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
\n2. All the days of my life (2 Ti 4:18<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>)<\/span><\/span>
\nb. F<\/b>orever <\/b>(6b)<\/b>
\n1. I will dwell in the house of the Lord
\n2. Forever (Jn 14:1-3<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Studying Verse by Verse
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n
\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

1. “The Lord is my Shepherd; <\/b><\/i><\/span>–<\/i> Relationship<\/span>, <\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>If we believe<\/b> & follow <\/u>Jesus, then we become one of His sheep. Then we can say, “The Lord is my Shepherd”. <\/span><\/span><\/b>The central image that the author\/King David uses to describe how the Lord relates to him<\/span><\/span> is a <\/span><\/span><\/b>shepherd<\/strong> to his sheep, remember David was a shepherd, and he understood very well that relationship. But God in the Old Testament compares himself to a Shepherd and Jesus in the New Testament in John 10:11, describes himself as the ‘GOOD SHEPHERD’, revealing to us He is God.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Jn 10:11-15, 25-30; He 13:20; 1Pe 2:21-25; 5:4;<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> Is.40:11, Lk12:22-32, <\/span>Heb.13:20, <\/span>Jer.23:4<\/span>.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

I shall not want!<\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>–Provision<\/strong><\/span> on every area of my life. When the Lord is my Shepherd, I will lack nothing for only He can bring satisfaction and I find that my satisfaction is in Him not in things. Matt. 6:25 – 34; 1 Tim.6:8; 2 Pet.1:3-4; Revelation 7:15-17<\/a><\/p>\n

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