Prayer
O Lord,
May Your comforts cheer me in my sorrows, Your strength sustain me in my trials, Your blessings revive me in my weariness, Your presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness, Your might establish me in peace and joy, Your incitements make me ceaseless in prayer, and Your stimulation kindle in me undying devotion (The Valley of Vision, page 30).
Today’s Hymn
Words: James Montgomery, Songs of Zion, 1822, alt.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
Click here for tune.
The Lord is my Shepherd, no 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 wand’ring, redeems when oppressed.
Through 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.
In midst of affliction my table is spread;
With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o’er;
With perfume and oil Thou anointest my head;
O what shall I ask of Thy providence more?
Let goodness and mercy, my bountiful God,
Still follow my steps till I meet Thee above;
I seek, by the path which my forefathers trod,
Through land of their sojourn, Thy Kingdom of love.
Thought Provoker
It is the most cherished and beloved “Psalm of Psalms” among God’s people. It is the most recognized and most memorized psalm and perhaps, passage in the Bible. It is the cardinal component of every funeral service and hospital visit. It reigns alone as the most published and printed subject matter for cards, book markers, magnets, plaques, and the like. It is the incomparable 23rd Psalm.
Dad’s Study
This psalm centers an interesting and enlightening trilogy of psalms which teaches us Christology. Psalm 22 highlights the past as the pangs of the death of Christ are recounted, whereas Psalm 24 focuses on the future ministry of Christ. Psalm 23, however, fastens our attention on the present ministry of Christ – a very personal ministry to His people. Though the psalm is thoroughly Christocentric, its intimate emphasis and personal flavor abounds.
1. Seventeen times in these six verses the first person pronoun (“me, my, I”) is used as man is the good Samaritan of God’s grace. It is a very personal passage from a very personal Potentate.
2. The opening role assigned the Lord as the Shepherd – specifically “my Shepherd” – significantly seasons the entirety of the psalm as a nurturing, caring, loving shepherd tends His sheep.
3. The Lord’s active involvement in our lives is evident as the Hebrew language employs only the active stems (Qal, Piel, Hiphil) for each and every verb in the psalm.
4. His actions are wondrously caring throughout: He leads, restores, comforts and anoints. As He does, He does so lavishly (Notice the adjectives chosen: without lack, green pastures, still waters, righteous paths, and an overflowing cup).
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
I grew up in a denomination where Christ was not seen as personal, not to be freely talked about with others, and hence, to be kept to oneself. Yet an unapproachable, incomprehensible God has chosen to reveal Himself to us in a most intimate of psalms as the personal shepherd for His people. Though He is spirit, He has allowed the writers of Scripture to assign Him body parts and human faculties and emotions in order for us to somehow personally identify with a personal yet infinite God. Dads, as you read this Psalm 23 to your family, recount His abundant blessings to His chosen people.
The Lord is my shepherd – that’s relationship;
I shall not want – that’s provision;
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures – that’s rest;
He leadeth me beside the still waters – that’s refreshment;
He restoreth my soul – that’s healing;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness – that’s guidance;
For His name’s sake – that’s purpose;
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – that’s testing;
I will fear no evil – that’s protection;
For thou art with me – that’s faithfulness;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me – that’s discipline;
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies – that’s hope;
Thou anointest my head with oil – that’s consecration;
My cup runneth over – that’s abundance;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – that’s blessing;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord – that’s security;
Forever – that’s eternity.
Pastor Jim Stevanus
Catechism
Question 52
Q. Which is the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
