A Study of Psalm 23
Psalm 23
Introduction
- Psalms broken into 5 books, covered an extensive time period
- Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning
- We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 … Info: we’ll take break for Advent
- If we apply ourselves, this could be a life changing study (expound today)
- I want us, as a church, to examine if we can’t rejoice more
- We ought to be able to praise and want more of God every day
- Psa. 22: The way David wrote, you’d almost think he was standing at the cross
- He gives a complete story of all that Jesus will ensure:
• The son of God will be born
• He will be forsaken by all … and God
• He will be put to death by evil men who want Him dead
• Yet, His faithfulness is what brought about our salvation today
• IMP: B/C it is God who delivers Him – God gets to declare the victory
- When we consider all that God does, it is incredible. For ex, Psalm 23 …
- Read Psalm 23 / Pray
Point 1 – The Good Shepherd
- Recognize the relationship
• God is my shepherd (v1a)
- Relationship is key with David; it is intimate
- David declares that God is all he needs – incredible testimony (can we?)
• I am his sheep – in need of His care (v1a)
- Left on their own, sheep will wander, stray and be picked off
- The Shepherd is the constant protector; risking everything for them
APP: What does a faithful servant’s relationship look like? (4 “I will nots”)
1. I will not want (v1b)
- Sheep are defenseless; look to shepherd for needs
- What does shepherd provide? Rest, guidance, and safety (next three)
2. I will not lack rest (v2)
- Sheep are fearful, will not just lay down and sleep
- The shepherd provides calm assurance to rest
- Sheep trust in his ability is complete … EX: protection from prey
3. I will not lack guidance (v3)
- Sheep are refreshed by what the shepherd offers
- Even the paths and next choices are marked out; instructional
- APP: God’s commands are not punitive … but protective
- IMP: We need to stop thinking that God is ruining our fun
- His guidance has one purpose: “for his name’s sake”
- It is not for our glory … not for our honor but His (read Psalm 22:29-31)
- HUGE: Christian, life is not about you … our guidance for life is His
4. I will not lack safety (v4)
- Sheep are always led from place to place
- They have no sense of direction; they are wanderers by design
- Often traveling through dangerous territory (met w/ predators)
- Need to stop looking at God like a favorite uncle who always has money
- If we are ever going to get serious about Him, it has to be in this space
- We must look to God as provider, comforter, teacher, and Savior
- Why? Once again, “for his name’s sake” (v3)
- CHALLENGE: Sin is a choice we make … consider your choices!
- TRUTH: At no time, are we saved b/c of who we are … but b/c of who He is!
- TRANS: The Shepherd is a wonderful leader, but He’s also a gracious host
Point 2 – The Gracious Host
Here are 2 steps to a picture-perfect relationship
• God is my loving host (v5a)
- In the face of tragedy, David knew his God
- This is not a point of ego (ex: “Ha-ha, look what God did for me …”)
- It is a place of humility: “Look what my God has prepared for me…”
- Even in the most adverse conditions, David’s trust in God is affirmed
- Ref v1 … David declares to want for nothing that he needed (place at the table)
• I am his lowly guest (v5a)
- Customary to offer a guest in your home a chance to freshen up
- Scented oil would be offered to help cover up normal traveling odors
- Don’t miss: David’s insight is that coming into God’s presence is refreshing
- In God’s presence, he will be made to feel welcome
- How did you come into His presence today? Resentful? Hopeful? Angry?
For David, a relationship with God is to be enjoyed
• I will not lack provision (v5b-6)
- My cup overflows – my God is an infinite source of all that we need
- David’s confession is one of victory; rejoicing in all that he has been given
- Rejoicing is a choice; being content is a choice … see how David is both here
• I will not lack goodness (v6a)
- Goodness is Heb., word “tob”; meaning “God’s presence & grace”
- Even in life threatening conditions, David turns to God for all he could want
- Certainly, without fail, YOU God will always walk with me – and –
• I will not lack eternal blessing (v6b)
- In triumph, I will have all that I need for all of eternity alongside Him
- Paul: Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- TRANS: The real application from this Psalm question is: “Knowing what God has done, why do we continually want something else?”
- Here is life’s real blessing:
1. We are pictured as weak sheep and weary travelers
2. But to know Christ as Shepherd and gracious host is sufficient
Big Idea: He is our full source and abundant supply
• He satisfies all that we could ever need/want
• He provides for us in ways that are not even describable
• He deserves all the credit and praise for what He has done
- The first place we should start in life is praising Him
- But, we do not get to keep Him to ourselves
- Life is about multiplication – giving what you have received
- True we are all busy, but someone wasn’t too busy to share/invite you
- Once we see Him as provider, not convenience, we will share Him
-- Why? Because we will want others to know His goodness and grace
- Pray
* Special thanks to Holman Old Testament Commentary for the foundational outline of this sermon.
