PSALM 23

LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

GREAT SHEPHERD. Heb.13:20

A Psalm of comfort and Security

Throughout the Psalm, divine comfort is offered It is a Psalm of security Number 17 is a number of security I, me, my/mine used 17 times Also refer Rom.8:35,38-39, and John 10.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Suerly goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Why Lord compares man with sheep

Similarity in behavior Lost man cannot come back by himself to God Similar in mob instinct,fear, timid,stupidity,stubbornness etc. Eze.34:18-21

LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

Division of Psalm 23
Sheep to sheep talk v.1-3

Testimony meeting
Sheep to shepherd talk v.4-6

Prayer meeting

ANOTHER DIVISION
Provisions of God v.1-2

Presence of God v.3-4

Promises of God v. 5-6

Comparison - Dispensational relation

Psalm 22 Good Shepherd Grief Yesterday Thorn Cross Sufferer Court Psalm 23 Great shepherd Grace Today Table Crook Sustainer Holy place Psalm 24 Chief shepherd Glory Forever Throne Crown Sovereign Holiest of holy

WHY I CALL HIM LORD

HE IS MY CREATOR HE IS MY REDEEMER HE CARES FOR ME

HE IS MY CREATOR
My relation with him Ps 139

V.1-6 He is omniscience
7- 12 He is omnipresent

13-18 He is omnipotent
So Psalmist desires to come under his ownership and complete surrender v.23-24

He is my redeemer
We were lost,but he came to save us Isa.53:6 He paid a great price for us so we belong to Him 1Cor.6:19-20; 1Pet.1:19 Compare his sufferings to save us - Garden of Gathsamane

He cares for me
He calls them by Name John 10:3 They know His voice 10:4,14,27-28 He leads them carefully 4,27-28

Jesus the shepherd - cares for you

No wound is deeper than, His mercy is able to heal

No separation is wider than,His presence is able to bridge

No sorrow is heavier than, His love is able to comfort No need is greater than,His grace is able to supply So cast all your cares on Him

We should bear the mark of His ownership

Story of the Hebrew servant Exo.21:1-6 Paul had it on his body Gal.6:17

Are you under His LORDSHIP?

A sunday school teacher asked her group if any of them could quote the entire Psalm 23. A little girl put up her hand along with the other children. The teacher was very skeptical, as she was sure the tiny tot would not be able to recite even a verse. She asked the child again,'can you recite the full psalm?' and the child answered that she could. Her name was called and with confidence personfied the child went to the front of the class and began reciting. She began by saying, 'The Lord is my Shepherd' and then as expected she fumbled. She tried again, but with the same result. All eyes were upon her. Then without even the slightest ruffle to her composure, she raised her voice and said, 'The Lord is my Shepherd and THAT'S ALL I WANT !!!'. The child had explained all that the psalm was about in 4 little words!!!

LORDSHIP
Jesus Christ is Lord- disciples never called Him Jesus in the Gospels-He is LORD Lordship defined Acts 9:5-6

Lordship disputed Acts 10:14

Lordship denied. Matt.7:21-23