Soon on wings, on wings of love, My transported soul shall rise, Like the home-returning dove, Vanishing through boundless skies; Then, where death shall be no more, Sin nor suffering e'er molest, All, The Lord the Good Shepherd.--Ps. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. In the second part of the Psalm we have another figure a different sort of allegory altogether. Amid holy enterprises, spiritual conflicts, arduous duties, severe afflictions, trying bereavements, God has sustained His saints. When King David was a boy, he used to look after his father's sheep - so he knew what he was talking about when he spoke of the LORD as his shepherd. Transition: In the last two verses of this Psalm, David describes a few more reasons that God's sheep can be quiet and . Our first aim in this series has been to encourage. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. His first thought is I shall not want but by the end, he is able to say something even better: Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. He says that we should trust God as the good and faithful Shepherd and rejoice in His grace. Today we "walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23). IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES, OR BY WHAT PERSONS, THIS STATEMENT MAY BE PROPERLY MADE. Dwelling in the house of the Lord will be incomparably better than the greatest joys any of us have known in this life. 2. [2] I Bind Unto Myself Today, Attributed to St. Patrick, (385-461), tr. It seems, as if Jesus could not part from the City in holy anger, but ever, and only, with tears. If you have the pledge that "goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life," should not those days be spent for the glory of Him whose you are, and whom you serve? "Even audiences largely unfamiliar with the Bible's contents are likely to know phrases from Psalm 23 (though whether or not they know what they are hearing is biblical is another question! He sees God first as a shepherd; secondly as a guide; and thirdly as a host. Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.--Ps. They will run in wide arcs over the hills, chasing the sheep in the direction the shepherd wants them to go. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint, The closing words which Jesus had spoken to those Pharisees who followed HIm breathe the sadness of expected near judgment, rather than the hopefulness of expostulation. When in the sultry glebe I faint, Or on the thirsty mountain pant, To fertile vales and dewy meads My weary, wandering steps he leads, Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow, Amid the verdant landscape flow. Here we are, anxious about our world, our country, our families, ourselves. Psalm 23:5-6. 1 John 3:9. xxiii. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. "Shall follow me." Most of us learned it as children in Sunday School, can say it by memory with a little help, have . Goodness and mercy will follow me. Hence men often lull their conscience; but there it is they cannot destroy it, and ever and anon conscience speaks like thunder. The querulous old man puts together all that he had gone through, finds it dark and disappointing, and concludes by saying, "I am this day so and so, and I wish that I had never been born." and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6), These words can be understood in two ways. Everything good in your life comes from the loving hands of God. xxiii. It is simply impossible for Him ever to decree or wish to do anything evil. Heaven will be a world of fresh discoveries and new delights. In death's dark vale I fear no ill With VariousThe Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA, The Shepherd and the Fold Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation.' These are just the two things into which God's beneficence, generally considered, naturally divides itself. David reflected on God's many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future. forever. 1-21. Let us ponder one weighty verse, The Valley of the Shadow of Death.--Psalm xxiii. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; In the midst of affliction my table is spread; With blessings unmeasured my cup. Special occasion. Gods kindness is meant to lead you to repentance (Rom 2:4). 1141. Theres only one reason: The Good Shepherd came to seek and to save the lost. But the treatment has been so extremely imperfect, in view of the importance of that section, that a few further remarks must be made. 4. It was a costly table to prepare. There are places in Scripture that are powerful, so deep, that to recite them is to experience them. My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart.--Ps. -- Psalm 23:4. Though I walk the downward shade, Deepening through the vale of death, Yet I will not be afraid, But, with my departing breath, I will glory in my God, In my Saviour I will trust, Strengthen'd by His staff and rod, While this body falls to dust. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. He said, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. The peace of the twenty-third psalm is built on that great promise, "The Lord is my Shepherd.". Psalm 6: Perfect Man in midst of chastisement (bruising heel . C omparisons, in the Scripture, are frequently to be understood with great limitation: perhaps, out of many circumstances, only one is justly applicable to the case. The original is 'lead gently.' I. they smothered him with flowers and killed him with fame and it came to this! "Thou art with me.". Reasoning from the past to the future, he says, "Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice." The Good Shepherd has two sheepdogs; one is called Goodness. The other is called Mercy.. Psalm 11. "I shall not want." All Roads Lead through Cyril: Neochalcedonianism in the Catenae of Pauline Epistles. And the Discourse which followed, ere He once more left Jerusalem, is of the same character. But why "follow" me? And it will be Jesus Himself who leads you into them. III. What is your position if you choose to be your own shepherd? He leads me beside still waters. This confidence rests in the promise of God, the finished work of the Redeemer and the sealing of the Holy Ghost. This is the valley of deep darkness. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. Let this prospect reconcile us in the midst of all affliction, if we be Christians, and let us prepare for that dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. Observe the beautifulness and the blessedness of a Christian old age. II. Amid the manifold anxieties and cares of my heart,[925] by the multitude of which my soul is sore vexed,[926] the brothers coming from a far country[927] that they may serve the Lord,[928] thy letter, and thy staff, they comfort, St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh, 'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! And the last thought is, that the best way to be able to end life with an utterance like this is to begin it well. So I have an enemy in the, My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year. Through the valley and shadow of death though I stray, Since Thou art my guardian no evil I fear; Thy rod shall defend me, Thy staff be my stay; No harm can befall, with my Comforter near. Wildfire sweeping across mountains is absolutely terrifying. ^D John X. Think about what that will be like in eternity: One joy will be added to another as the Good Shepherd leads you into springs of living water. This magazine often included an exposition of a psalm, and in the 1866 publication Spurgeon featured Psalm 23. Worship In The Wilderness. The first thing to say is that it will be very different from life in this world. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, b) John 14:1-3 i) The Lord Jesus Christ reiterated and underscored what David had said in Psalm 23:6. ii) The Lord Jesus is talking about the same place that David was talking about. 2. "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. They are divided into five books, each closing with a benediction, evidently added to mark the end of the book. Campuses in Arlington Heights, Barrington, Itasca, Marengo, Northfield, and Vernon Hills. And when the sheep are gathered, the shepherd will lead them, and the dogs will bring up the rear. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. No one loves God but a true Christian, because nothing will produce love to God but the belief of the Gospel; and of course, it is the belief of the Gospel that makes a man a Christian. Then comes the assurance of expectation and hope. As we all know, a "shepherd" looks after sheep. 4-6. Enlarge it towards the west, where the sun of our life is gently dipping towards the grave, in a life of preparedness. It ruins my soul. This statement actually shook the readers of biblical times because the temptation in ancient Israel was to speak only about "our" God, (Deuteronomy 6:4) forgetting that the God of Israel is also the God of individuals. The Lord is my Shepherd, nor want shall I know; I feed in green pastures, safe-folded I rest; He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow, Restores me when wandering, redeems when opprest. I. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of Gods grace.[3]. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation, My heart is disquieted within me, and the fear of death has fallen upon me.--Ps. Some of us are anxious, fearful and even distressed at what the future might bring. 1 John 3:9. But why would you run when you are being chased by goodness and mercy? It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation Thomas WatsonA Body of Divinity, Out of the Deep of Death. Why not "go before"? A wildfire sweeping over the mountain consuming everything in its path. The Good Shepherd has come to seek and to save the lost. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Did you know that the Bible uses that picture to describe Gods judgment of the wicked. He came into our world. Your own god? 1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Through this simple illustration of God being our Shepherd, we see how God tenderly takes care to provide, guide, and protect us. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint Alexander MaclarenExpositions of Holy Scripture, The Good Shepherd' and his one Flock' - Last Discourse at the Feast of Tabernacles. The joys you experience in life remain with you. My heart wanders and my spirit falters. Like many others, this beloved psalm bears the simple title A Psalm of David. The shadow is dark and the valley is long and deep. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of a righteousness for his b name's sake. The Shepherd is in front of the sheep. 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. Thats how Gods judgment pursues the wicked. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. In the wilderness unwatered, In the lonely land, This the feast of God made ready By His mighty Hand; Thither came I, spent and weary, Hungry and athirst, From the wastes of thorn and thistle Of the land accursed, Frances BevanHymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others, Christian Standing and Christian ProgressPHILIPPIANS iii. I carry within myself, in my own religious consciousness, a prophecy, an earnest of something greater than the life that now is."4. Believers thank God for everything and blame Him for nothing. When the Lord is your shepherd, His love surrounds you now and forever. And it reminds us of the "certain king who made a marriage supper for his son." If I could only get away from the past! But I think that David is looking beyond His days in this world. He became the Lamb: The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, (John1:29). Most Popular. "Shall follow me." Psalm 30:11,12 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 2. Permissions: You have permission and are encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format you choose, as long as you do not alter or change the wording in any way and do not charge a fee (beyond the cost of reproducing these materials). And the more you love God the more happiness you will have in Him.[6]. 3. He Loves Me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Psalm 4: Conflict between Seed of woman and serpent. As one scholar said, "The psalm itself is green pasture; the psalm itself is still water; the psalm itself restores my soul." Hear it again in the joyous voice of a . But now he says that the Shepherds goodness and mercy follow the sheep. The closing words which Jesus had spoken to those Pharisees who followed HIm breathe the sadness of expected near judgment, rather than the hopefulness of expostulation. In one of his books you may find a review of his life. And the Discourse which followed, ere He once more left Jerusalem, is of the same character. Play MP3 of this sermon: Sun, Nov 21, 2004 Last Sunday in the Church Year. The LORD is my Shepherd Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 3 He restores my soul. Because some of my enemies are in the rear; they attack me from behind. Psalm 23:1-6. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Open the Bible, 1-877-673-6365. 4. Douglas Macmillan quotes a Scottish shepherd who preached on the verse we are looking at today: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Its guilt and its shame will haunt me. 1. THE SCENE REFERRED TO. Within Protestantism alone, the mere mention of issues like free will, predestination . It is a fearful doctrine, but clearly stated in Scripture with regard to many individuals of the human race, that, so far from "goodness and mercy following them all the days of their life," everything that He gives them seems only the more to estrange them from God and goodness. Well, like all the great questions of life, Scripture affords us an answer. I carry within myself, in my own religious consciousness, a prophecy, an earnest of something greater than the life that now is.". 2) THE CERTAINTY OF IT (PSALM 23:6) a) "Surely, I will dwell in the house of the Lord." i) No if's, and's, or but's about it; it's a sure thing. -- Psalm 23:4. THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP. 1. Psalm 8b. Read Psalms 23:1. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh, The Shepherd-King'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! Introduction: I have never raised a sheep, but we do have chickens. In a time of suffering, as we're trying to make sense of it . These capacities and affections of mine, the stirring of a spiritual life within me, were never made to find their perfection here. Remember, David has already said that the Good Shepherd leads His sheep. No uncertainty should . "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.". 29 bracketing the song with His Name. Through the valley and shadow of death though I stray, Since Thou art my guardian no evil I fear; Thy rod shall defend me, Thy staff be my stay; No harm can befall, with my Comforter near. But of this you can be certain: Whatever the future holds, Gods goodness and Gods mercy will follow you all the days of your life. It is when "the hoary head is a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness" when there are no marks upon the countenance of extinct volcanoes, dark shadows from wrought-out passions, impressions of darkness and crime, but when the life has been spent for God. In facts from Christian and philosophical standpoints it has been demonstrated that the infallible Supreme Ruler of all human spirits has made His final provision for the safety of each and every individual soul for its temporal and eternal welfare. Goodness. Not only the Creator but the Creation too will be an object of wonder to the redeemed. Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord Is My Shepherd. 4-6. If we turn to the fourth Gospel in which the Holy, He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Have known in this life is setting the soul upon the top of a spiritual life me... Green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters Psalm 23 ) a host by and... Of mine, the mere mention of issues like free will,.! Part from the past shepherd has come to seek and to save the.! Faileth, but God is the strength of my enemies PROPERLY made into five,! 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