Another Look at the 23rd Psalm Pre-intro A.

The 23rd Psalm is perhaps the best known and most loved words in all literature. 1. Psalm 23 has brought calm to the storms; joy where there was sorrow; victory where there was defeat, and hope where there was despair. B. The location of Psalms 23 is very interesting: 1. Psalms 22 is the Psalm of the Crucified Servant Psalms 24 is the Psalm of the Victorious Savior. 2. 3. Psalm 22 tells of the Cross Psalm 24 tells of the Crown Psalm 22 tells of the Lords agony Psalm 24 tells of the Lords victory

C. Between Psalms 22 and Psalms 24 is Psalms 23 the Psalm of the Good Shepherd 1. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. Verse 14 says I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep . . .

Intro

A. The Book of Psalms is a collection of hymns or sacred songs in praise to God, and consists of poems of various kinds. 1. 2. The word psalm means praises, a term which reflects much of the books content. Psalms 23 contains 117 words in only 6 verses.

B. When we think of the 23rd Psalm, we generally think of it being read at a funeral. 1. It is fitting for such an occasion of a faithful saint that has departed this life.

But Now I offer you an ANALYSIS of the 23rd Psalm 17 points for your consideration

1. The Lord is MY Shepherd

- Thats Relationship
A. New King James Version My 6 times I 4 times Me 7 times 17 times Singular Personal Pronouns were used
B.

Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Hebrews 13: 5 For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8 Moses tells Joshua He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

2. I Shall Not Want - Thats Supply

A. Psalm 37:25 I have been young and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear? 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of god and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

3. He Makes Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures - Thats Rest

1. Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Matthew 11: 28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Hebrews 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.

4. He Leads Me Beside the Still Waters - Thats Refreshment

Early 1900s Coca Cola Advertising Slogans 1900 Deliciously Refreshing 1929 The Pause the Refreshes 1910 Quenches the thirst as nothing else can

Coca Cola got it all wrong

For REAL THIRST of the body nothing refreshes better than WATER Luke 16:24 Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue . . . For REAL THIRST of the SOUL nothing refreshes better than WATER John 4:13-14 Jesus said to the Woman at the Well Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but

whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. Revelation 22:17 And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

5. He Restores My Soul - Thats Healing

Psalm 51 Shows Spiritual Restoration Verse 12 says Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit. Isaiah 53:5 By His stripes we are healed I Peter 2:24 by whose stripes you were healed

6. He Leads Me in the Paths of Righteousness - Thats Guidance

Psalm 119:105 You word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path John 14:6 I am the way the truth, and the life. Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it Jeremiah 10:23 Jeremiah Prays O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

In short, we cannot walk without the Lord

7. For His Names Sake - Thats Purpose

Not always popular

So, what is our purpose? Live for Jesus

Acts 4:12 Peter preaches to the Sanhedrin Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. I Peter 4:16 If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. How is man SAVED? First one must come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4) John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught by God, Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.

8. Yea, Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death - Thats Testing
Our trials are MANIFOLD . . . (interesting word) Many and varied Having many features or forms

Being such for a variety of reasons A pipe with a number of inlets or outlets (like the one in a car engine where gas or liquid is gathered and distributed.) King James Version I Peter 1:6 ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations HOWEVER: Where there are manifold trials; there is manifold grace! I Peter 4:10 Says we should be good stewards of the manifold grace of God. What is Grace?? Grace is what God does for us that we cant do for ourselves and what we do not deserve. For Example: Pauls Thorn in the Flesh in 2 Corinthians 12 . . . Gods grace was sufficient. (verse 9)

9. I Will Fear No Evil - Thats Protection

Example of a mother bird protecting her young. Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings

Psalm 36:7 the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. Two verses that are very fitting when thinking about Gods protection: Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us? Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. We should have those written on a Post-it note on our bathroom mirror or on our desk at work so we can remind ourselves of this every day. What a great way to start your day each morning! And, along those same lines: I Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Then on to verse 8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But then we look back to Romans 8 Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us? And we can rest assured in that promise.

10. For You Are With Me - Thats Faithfulness

I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. We can go back to Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 2 Timothy 4:16-18 - (Pauls Situation in Prison) he says At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me . . . 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me . . .18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work . . .

11. Your Rod and Your Staff, They Comfort Me - Thats Discipline
Paul, in my opinion, was a good disciplinarian. In his letters, he often wrote about what not to do, and then followed that with what God expects. Just like a teacher in a classroom will have a list of rules and expectations Example: Galatians 5:19-26 Where he lists all the Works of the Flesh then he follows that with the Fruits of the Spirit Colossians 3:5-14 Ephesians 4:17-29 Where Paul tells the Colossians and the Ephesians to Put off the Old Man and Put on the New Man. Along these same lines always keep this in mind: Were not responsible for what people think about us; we are responsible for what we give them reason to think!

12. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. - Thats Hope

Websters Online Dictionary defines hope as: to expect with confidence. Online group . . . someone asked the question What should I look for in the Bible when I am feeling HOPELESS? Psalm 71 (A Prayer for the Aged) Psalm 71:5 For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth. Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. II Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. Isaiah 40:31 Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

13. You anoint my head with oil - Thats Consecration

What does consecrate mean? To set apart as holy. Webster defines it as dedicated to a sacred purpose. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

I Peter 2:9 You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

14. My Cup Runs Over - Thats Abundance

John 10:10 - . . . I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness . . . 4 . . .by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises.

15. Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me All the Days of My Life - Thats Blessing
Song: Count Your Blessings . . . name them one by one I personally dont think I could count that high!! Think about all the ways you have been blessed! Isnt that a good feeling doesnt it bring tears to yours eyes just thinking about it?? Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

16. And I will Dwell In the House of the Lord - Thats Security
Luke 15: Parable of the Lost Sheep Verses 4-7 Shepherd rejoices when his lost sheep is back in the security of his arms. Parable of the Lost Coin Verses 8-10 Woman turns her house inside out looking for the coin. Rejoices (calls friends and neighbors together) when she secures it. Parable of the Lost son Verses 11-32 Father brought out the best robe, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Killed the fatted calf his son had returned to the security of his home.

17. Forever Thats Eternity

Are you a time conscious person? Here lately Ive become a VERY TIME CONSCIOUS PERSON Romans 6:23 the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (American Standard says ETERNAL) CLOSING: I have now given you 17 points for your consideration.

Its your job to now use the verse references Ive given you and do your own analytical study. John 10:11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. Jesus died for you and me.

Can you make the decision to LIVE FOR HIM?