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Psalm 23:1-2

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#1 · June 7, 2002, 7:47 am

Posted by: warrenm <warrenm@...>

Divine Ownership

Psalm 23:1-2

Preached June 2, 2002

At

Fairview Baptist Church

By

Rev. Warren M. Jones

The Twenty-third Psalm

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4Yea, 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. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

"It is impossible to estimate its effect upon man through the centuries. Grief, sadness and doubt have been driven away by this strong affirmation of faith. Peace, contentment and trust have been the blessings upon those who have come to share the psalmist's confidence. While the language is simple and the meaning clear, no one has been able to exhaust the message or to improve upon its quiet beauty."[1]

Divine Ownership

Psalm 23:1-2

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Introduction

David, in all likelihood, was an old man when he wrote this psalm. He takes the time to look down the corridors of his life to reflect upon its teachings. His relationship to God and the years of fellowship with Him causes David to meditate on the uniqueness of their relationship. David draws an analogy between the life of a shepherd and his sheep to that of God and His flock.

King David was once a shepherd, a leader and caregiver of sheep. He knows what it is to feed, shelter, and provide water, shade and protection for sheep.

At night David would lay across the opening of the sheepfold. You had to go through David to get to the sheep. You have to go through God to get to His sheep!

David is speaking from personal experience. The word 'shepherd' is a comprehensive and intimate metaphor.

  1. The Declaration. "The Lord is my Shepherd."

"The Lord IS…" reflect the positive nature of this verse. My friend He is MY shepherd, is He yours?

    1. Deity. 'Lord'

The "Lord" occupies first place. "Lord' occupies an emphatic place. This word of deity declares that He is above us. [YHWH] [2]

Jehovah = Lord. This word reveals His grace as no other name.

    1. The Lord is Self-sufficient.
    2. The Lord is Sovereign.
    3. The Lord is Immutable. Hebrews 13:8 says, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. KJV

    1. Humanity. 'shepherd'

    1. "Shepherd" reveals He is with us. This is the Creator as our Companion.
    2. "Shepherd" reminds us how He gave His life for us.
    3. He now lives for us.
    4. Just as a shepherd lived with his sheep week in and week out—month in and month out, so is the Lord our ever-present companion. It is wonderful to journey through this life with the Lord as our Shepherd.

  1. The Contentment. "I shall not want."

David said in Psalm 37 he had never known the righteous to go hungry. God provides for His own.

    1. I am cared for.

    1. It was the major responsibility of the shepherd to take care of the sheep.
    2. His whole life was devoted to it.
    3. Our Lord, watches over us, takes care of us, protects us. He is our shepherd.

    1. I am given rest. "… makes me to lie down in green pastures."

    1. He makes me to lie down. Notice you are not asked to lie down. There are some things the Lord makes you do whether you want to do them or not because He loves you.
    2. The shepherd would start leading the sheep about 4 A.M. They would gaze until about 1o A.M. Then the shepherd would make them lie down. He knew that while the sheep were grazing, they would not digest their food. Once the sheep stopped eating and would lay down then the digestive process would begin. Afterwards he would take them to get some water for only after the digestive processes have taken place can they drink without getting sick.[3]
    3. Sometimes we get so busy that the Lord makes us lie down. Some sicknesses have proven to be great blessings. (i.e. A gentleman told me of how his life has changed since his heart surgery. He seeks to live life to it's fullest and to enjoy the blessings of each and every day. He spoke of a special day of the week where he and his daughters would meet for dinner. He does this every week.)

  1. The Companionship. "He leadeth me."

    1. It is Complete. "Shall not want."
    2. It is Constant. There is no hint of His coming or going.
    3. It is Calming. "Lie down in green pastures." The bosom of God is our resting-place.
    4. I am refreshed. "... he leadeth me beside still water."
    1. A sheep is afraid of swift running water because he cannot swim. It water got into the wool, it would pull him down into the water and he would drown. The shepherd does not make fun of the sheep's fear nor try to force him into the water. Rather, he provides for his inadequacies. [4]
    2. The grace of God is sufficient. God provides for our weaknesses. [5]

  1. The Word

    1. Reveals a pledged relationship.

The Lord might be a shepherd and not be your shepherd.

    1. He purchased me by His life, death and resurrection.
    2. He leads me by His Spirit.
    3. He feeds me with His Word.
    4. He keeps me by His Power.

    1. Reveals a personal relationship.
    1. He has never forgotten me
    2. He has never failed me.
    3. He has never forsaken me.

JESUS BELONGS TO YOU. DO YOU BELONG TO JESUS?

Conclusion

The Lord is your provider, preserver, and protector. Since the Lord is your Shepherd, you have no need of drugs, alcohol, etc… As the little child said when misquoting this psalm, 'The Lord is my shepherd-what more shall I want.'

  1. Wyfcliffe Commentary on the 23 Psalm
  2. This is called a 'Tetragrammaton.' It uses the consonants of Jehovah to formulate an abbreviation.
  3. Dr. Homer G. Lindsay, Jr., The Lord Is My Shepherd, (First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida) not copyrighted, p 4.
  4. Lindsay, Jr., p 4
  5. Lindsay, Jr., p 4

If God brings you to it  -
He will bring you through it.
Preacher Jones

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