Psalm 23 (Part 2)

v. 3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. A. “He restoreth my soul...” 1. restore: To give back, to make return or restitution of (anything previously taken away or lost). c/w JOB 33:27-30. 2. The best of sheep are prone to wander off and get lost (PSA 119:176) and therefore need to be returned by conversion. PSA 19:7; JAM 5:19-20. 3. Upon return, the joy of salvation may also be restored. PSA 51:12. B. “...He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” 1. The paths of righteousness are found in the law of the Lord. Psalm 23 7-21-13 Page 1 of 3 GAL 5:16 c/w PSA 119:1-3, 35. 2. God's word provides sufficient light to direct our steps. PSA 119:105. 3. We may be assured that if the path we are following is contrary to God's word, it is not God that is leading us. PSA 119:128. a. The light of nature is untrustworthy. JOB 39:13-17. b. Human philosophy is untrustworthy. 1CO 1:21-25. c. Emotions and “methinks” are untrustworthy. PRO 28:26. 4. He leads in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Anyone who claims Him while walking in unrighteousness defiles His name. ROM 2:23-24; 2TI 2:19. v. 4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. A. Being led in the paths of righteousness does not mean a trial-free life where we will never have to face evil that could generate fear. 2TI 3:11-12; MAT 5:10. B. Death itself may well be the evil we face. 2CO 1:8-9. 1. The shadow of death is a place of bondage. PSA 107:10. 2. Faith sees death as a defeated enemy. HEB 2:14-15. 3. Therefore, its prospect need not move the man of faith. ACT 20:22-24. 4. Faith sees death as a shadow which has no more power than the shadow of a sword or snake. It has no substance to separate us from God's love. ROM 8:38-39. 5. For those who fear death it is a sit-in (PSA 107:10); for those who trust God it is a walkthrough. C. That which overcomes the fear of such evil is the knowledge that God is with you. PSA 46:1; MAT 28:20; 2TI 4:16-17. D. Our Shepherd's rod and staff are our comfort (strength). 1. The passing of the sheep under the shepherd's rod denoted counting one of a crowd holy unto God. LEV 27:32 c/w EPH 1:4. 2. The rod and staff are for feeding and guiding (MIC 7:14), as is the gospel. 3. The gospel of the victorious resurrection for God's elect is comfort-food to those who believe it. 1CO 15:1-2; 1TH 4:13-18. v. 5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. A. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...” 1. When David's king and country rejected him, God gave him favor with the Philistines. 1SAM 27:1-12. 2. “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (PRO 16:7). B. “...thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” 1. The anointing of the head with oil implied special appointment, luxurious treatment and blessing. 1SAM 10:1; PSA 133:1-3. 2. Believers, through Christ, similarly abound. ISA 61:1-3; EPH 1:3. C. Mind how much this verse speaks of Christ, the Son of David. 1. God appointed Christ a table in the presence of His enemies. LUK 22:19-22, 29-30 c/w PSA 110:1-2. 2. He was anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows (PSA 45:7) and the perfect fullness of the Spirit. ACT 10:38 c/w JOH 3:34. 3. His cup ran over: “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace” Psalm 23 7-21-13 Page 2 of 3 (JOH 1:16). v. 6. 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. A. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...” 1. There was no doubt about this in David's mind. He was the object of covenant salvation that was more powerful than human failings. 2SAM 23:5. 2. Believers may be thankful that God's goodness and mercy “has their back.” HEB 8:10-13. 3. Believers may also be thankful that God's mercies are ongoing and enduring. LAM 3:22-23; PSA 136:1. B. “...and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” PSA 27:4; 2CO 5:1; REV 3:12; 7:13-17.