DAVID'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY:
#1 Scripture
A. BACKGROUND
... A.
the Psalms are songs to praise God, central to Jewish life and worship in Biblical times, Jesus’ time, and ours. They can be TO God or ABOUT God. The 23
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Psalm is about God and are the most famous Bible verses of all. John 3:16 is famous among Christians, and 1 Corinthians 13 is used at all our weddings. But Psalm 23 is the most universally known and used.
C. SUMMARY.
A.
The Psalmist (the songwriter of a Psalm) clearly describes the attributes of God that provide the confidence and trust to get through daily life with all it’s ups and downs. Referring to God as the ideal “shepherd”, the Psalmist pinpoints God’s desire to provide, guide, strengthen, preserve and protect. The overall theme is that we are not alone, not abandoned, and not hopeless. Even in the face of enemies and death itself we can be assured that God’s ultimate victory is ours, also.
D. KEY POINTS
1.
Who wants a SHEPHERD? Biblical images for God often fail to inspire in modern times. God is called King, Judge, Lord, and Shepherd. America overthrew its king ages ago. We are cynical about judges, the Supreme Court and our judicial system. We don’t want anyone to “Lord it over” us. And our urban/suburban modern life has no concept of “shepherd” as high praise. But in ancient times each phrase referred to a high and vital position; and God is presented as the IDEAL King/Judge/Shepherd. God is the king not in it for himself and his family. God is the judge who is fair and wise. God is the shepherd whose ultimate concern is the total well-being of the sheep. No surprise, then, when Jesus is presented as “The Good Shepherd”, who inspires trust.
2.
S and S. During the Civil War in Nicaragua in the 80s I asked people what they wanted. “S and S” I was told: Staples and Security. Staples meant the basic food of their culture. Security was the ability to walk from one place to another without being killed for being the wrong religion, party, color, etc. the 23
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Psalm describes god’s care for us at the most basic level: to be without want, to be able to rest, to be restored in our very soul. The world doesn’t provide that. Look at the Kurds today. The elderly, the sick, the female in so many places. The poor, the vulnerable, the outcasts, the minority, the powerless everywhere. But God gives us the calling, the purpose, the resources, the opportunity to be God’s partner in assuring these basics of staples and security. God can do it, working through us. There is no need for someone to die of starvation. No need for injustice, oppression, terrorism, evil, selfishness, crime, or war. What we choose to do, or allow, we can choose to not do or allow. We are God’s partner in assuring “no want... green pastures... still waters.”
3.
SOUL? What’s that? In verse 5 the Psalmist declares that God “restoreth my soul”. Soul and spirit are often used interchangeably in conversation. The idea is that there is something intrinsic within each person, innate, that is not confined to the human body. Each of us is made up of bone and tissue and muscle, our organs, skin, and blood. All of that wears down at some point and has an “expiration date”. But the soul is beyond that. It is our essence that is not defined by height or weight or looks or age or even breath. God’s ultimate care is over our essence. We do grow old. This “mortal coil” will pass away. Our soul is restored, continually. Now, in the midst of daily challenges. Eternally, in the midst of God’s presence.
