(Section 1) A Favorite Psalm Series

PSALM 23

Scripture: Psalm 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 23:4 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. 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Introduction: This psalm has always been regarded as one of exquisite beauty. The main subject is the watchful care which God had extended over the author, and the consequent assurance which he felt that God would still watch over him, and supply all his need. The leading thought — the essential idea — is, his full belief that God would provide for him, and that he would never be left to want. Albert Barnes

I. A FAVORITE PSALM

A. Easily memorized.

1. Short

2. “Paints” a picture.

The wording allows us to produce many positive images in our minds.

Poetically it leaves us with a refreshing feeling. It seems almost heaven.

3. Frequent usage

a. In times of fear. “I will fear no evil.”

b. In times of danger. “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

c. In times of death. “I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

When Sir Harry Lauder received news that his son was killed in World War One, he wrote these words, "In a time like this there are three courses open to man. He may give up in despair, ... he may endeavor to drown his sorrow in drink (or indulgence) ... or he may turn to God." King David would tell us this morning the only choice that brings contentment and security to our present is to turn to God as our personal Shepherd.

Those who die in the Lord are not “lost” in the truest sense as we say we “lost” a loved one. God knows exactly where they are.

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of

his saints.”

4. Personal

a. Is my Shepherd.

b. I shall not want.

c. Restoreth my soul.

d. He leadeth me.

e. I will fear no evil.

B. Meaningful

1. Peaceful

a. Lying down in green pastures.

b. Still waters.

c. Restoreth my soul.

Psalm 85:8 “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints:”

2. Preservation

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:”

Psalm 97:10 “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.”

II. THE LORD

A. He is Lord (not just any lord...) (Dr. Robert McKenzie @sermoncentral.com)

1. The God of the Heavens.

a. The first heaven.

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Genesis 2:1 “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.”

b. The second heaven.

Isaiah 40:12 “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted (to balance, measure out, arrange, bear up, weigh) out

heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a

measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a

balance?”

Isaiah 40:22 “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:”

Columbus sailed on when the earth was considered to be flat.

Isaiah 40:26 “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these

things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.”

Psalm 147:4 “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their

names.”

c. The third Heaven.

Acts 7:49 “Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?”

II Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”