Psalms: The Good Shepherd
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Psalms: The Good Shepherd
Who among you has Spotify or Apple Music? You will notice that these music apps have several different song categories built in them. For example, they have Jazz, Soft Rock, Hard rock, love songs, easy listening, Rap, etc. And you can also create your own categories based on your mood of listening. They call it “GENRES” - a French word.
Genre, as defined in the dictionary, is a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style or subject matter.
The book of PSALMs also has its own “Genres” or categories of songs & poems.
Psalms are divided into five books and bible scholars see this as an imitation of the 5 books of Moses. The book of Psalms grew over the years as the Holy Spirit directed different writers and editors to compose and compile these songs and poems.
Let’s look at the Genres of the book of Psalms or types of Psalms:
1. Laments – Use when the people of Israel are grieving or in a time of crisis.
2. Hymns or Songs of Praise - Use for worship and praises.
3. Songs of Thanksgiving – Use in response for gratefulness and thanksgiving.
4. Royal Psalms – Prayers celebrate the special relationship between the Lord and the house of the Davidic king.
5. Imprecatory Psalm - Prayers containing elements of extreme emotion and anger calling God to bring judgement on the enemies of God and the psalmist.
6. Psalm of Confidence – Expressions of trust in the Lord and praise to the Lord for security.
7. Wisdom and Torah Psalms – Teach the value of living a godly life
The individual psalms were composed by many different individuals that include the following:
1. David – 73
2. Asaph – 12
3. Sons of Korah – 10
4. Jeduthum – 3
5. Solomon 2
6. Ethan the Ezrahite – 1
7. Heman the Exrahite - 1
8. Moses – 1
More information that I found regarding the book of Psalms:
The book of Psalms was the prayer book of ancient Israel, a devotional guide and considered also as a hymnal.
These 150 songs or poems were collected for use in worship at the temple in Jerusalem. Some of the psalms were expressions of personal devotion, but many were composed as songs for public worship. It is like a hymnal book of the Old testament.
The psalms are very poetic and most of them were written by King David.
Psalms comes from the name of the book in the Greek Septuagint (Psalmoi). The term “psalmos” in Greek refers to a song sung to the accompaniment of a harp. The New Testament also uses the designation “psalms” of the “Book of Psalms”. As noted in
Luke 24: 44:
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
The Hebrew title for the book of Psalms is Tehilim, that means “praise” or songs of praise. This word is derived from the root halal (to praise) Hebrew, the basis for the English word “hallelujah”.
There are so many information and study about the book of Psalms. These are just the basic information I gathered, for us to get a glimpse of understanding the purpose and function in an ancient Israel which we can also apply for our own life journey.
As we continue the sermon series on discovering Jesus in all books of the Bible, the question here is “Where do we see Jesus in the Book of Psalms?”
There are several interpretations about the messianic in the book of psalm and the chapters that really stand out or most famous are in Psalms 22, 23 & 24, also considered as a trilogy on Christ as a Good Shepherd. An interesting study through the poetic prayers and songs of King David. Sometimes, when you read the Old testament text it is so difficult to understand them, but if you put Jesus in the text, then they come alive.
Our main texts would focus on these 3 chapters of the 73 Psalms that were written by King David. Let us now highlights 3 different perspective of Jesus being a Good Shepherd and will start on Psalm 22.
I. The Suffering Shepherd. (Psalm 22:1-31)
Scholars was saying that Psalm 22 is an accurate description of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is a powerful psalm of David’s prayer and it was like someone watching and writing the event. We will not be able to go through every verse because of time limit, but we can pick and choose a couple of verses that can help us discover and applied to the suffering of Jesus Christ.
Two types of prayer that moved David to pray to God for help that is applied to our Lord Jesus Christ.
a) He was abandoned by the Lord and despised by the people. V.1-21
”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me from the words of my groaning?” v.1
The opening words of this chapter Psalm immediately reminded us of the cross in Calvary. We can see this in Matthew 27:45-46: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani.” Here we can sense the agony and pain through these words. I am sure David wrote this through his time of trouble and challenges in life experiences.
What amazing was that David wrote this 1000 years before the crucifixion of Christ and 600 years before the crucifixion punishment was established. And people ask how did he knew it? Well of course through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This is prayer can be applied to suffering of Jesus in fulfilling the great redemption for the sins of the world.
Noted that both Jesus and David called Him “My God, My God” This is a clear understanding of their true and right relationship with God. For Jesus it is a feeling of separation from His Father. A question that is not looking for an answer, but the cry of a broken-hearted child a feeling of abandonment and alone. Bible scholar’s explanation of this suffering and death is “Jesus mysterious transaction with the Father dying for the sins of the world.”
“Then it was that he felt in soul and body the horror of God’s displeasure against sin, for which he had undertaken.” By John Trapp
Jesus was also despised by the people v6-11,18 v.6 “All who see me mock me they make mouths at me; they wag their hands”
This is how little they value our Lord Jesus by the leaders of Israel and the Romans. Another account of Jesus being despised is on v.18 “they divide my garments among them and for my clothing they cast lots.” That is exactly what the Roman soldiers did during His crucifixion. They did not know this prophecy, but they fulfilled it. We can find this particular event in all 4 gospels.
“The agony of Jesus Christ has been fulfilled and David saw what will happen to the Messiah centuries later through his prophetic prayer. In the New Testament, David is also considered a prophet. Acts 2:29-30
On verse 21 you can see the shifting of the prayer to being rescued.
b) Praise in the time of victory. V.22-31. v.22 I will tell of your name to my brothers in the midst of the congregation, I will praise you.” From The suffering of Jesus to His resurrections. The change of mood from 21 to 22. now from the suffering to the glory from prayer to praise. Jesus enters into the joy that was set before him. Jesus always delights with His church. Why? Because His first moments of relief thought about us His church.
Hebrew 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He prayed to be delivered out of death and the prayer was answered. The risen Christ praises God in the midst of His people after His resurrection. V.31 they shall com and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn that He has done it. Jesus is alive and praising the Father with us.
II. The Sufficient Shepherd. (Psalm 23:1-6)
While Psalm 22 highlighted His sacrificial work, Psalm 23 highlighted His priestly work.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even 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 overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. “
David as an adult had a vivid remembrance of him as a shepherd boy. This psalm I would say is the most famous scripture in the bible, especially in a funeral setting. You often see this on a card given away in the funeral. Ministers have also used frequently it to comfort people who are going through severe personal trials, suffering illness, or dying.
David himself was a shepherd of sheep and understood both the needs of the sheep and the many cares of a shepherd. He compares himself to a sheep that is weak creature, defenseless, and foolish; and he takes God to be his Shepherd – his Provider, Preserver, Protector, Director, and his everything.
In Psalm 23, the psalmist is not talking to the Shepherd, but talking about the Shepherd. And Jesus is not just a Shepherd but a good Shepherd.
John 10:11:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
“The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, “My.” He does not say, “The Lord is the shepherd of the world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as his flock,” but “The Lord is my shepherd;” if he be a Shepherd to no one else, he is a Shepherd to me; he cares for me, watches over me, and preserves me.” – by Charles Spurgeon
Let us look at these verses in detail:
v.1 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” –This is a personal and confident claim by David: the Lord intercedes; He bears our needs; He carries our cares.
As a Christian can we confidently claim and believe Jesus is our good shepherd? Let’s look at the next statement. ”I shall not want” Do you know what this mean? CONTENTMENT! A decision that Jesus is enough. How many clothes, bags, and shoes do we need? The result of discontentment is absence of peace, joy and hopelessness. It is not what we have but whom we have.
In verse 2, David also talks about need:
v.2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, leads me beside still waters.” - He meets and supplies all our needs. We can’t go there ourselves, but Jesus will lead us to the blessings that is in store for us.
In verse 3, David talks about spiritual renewal:
v.3 “He restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
When we are struggling spiritually, He is the one who will strengthen, sanctify, and revive us. No one here is perfect and we all have our own spiritual struggles in our Christian life journey. But God is the one who will help us, but we also need to do our part. What part? To follow His lead in righteousness.
In verse 4, He talks about comfort and protection:
v.4 “Even 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.”
We need this to apply more in life rather than in death. God’s peace and protection is all over us. Shadow cannot hurt us. The substance of death is removed. During this time of pandemic, a lot of people were scared, because a lot of people were dying because of the virus. This is the best time we hold on to His promise, that even though we are walking through this valley of pandemic and death, we will fear no evil, because God is with us. We can only rely on His perfect will.
” The little child out at sea in the storm is not frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel, it is asleep in its mother’s bosom; it is enough for it that its mother is with it; and it should be enough for the believer to know that Christ is with him.” - Charles Spurgeon”
In verse 5, He talks about abundant provider and security:
v.5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” This is an amazing abundant provision and protection in the time of chaos and challenges.
In verse 6, He talks about eternal fellowship:
v.6 “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” These words assured us of an intimate fellowship now and forever, where in God’s Kingdom where Jesus is in residence there.
Reading these words in Psalms is enough for us to understand that our good shepherd is sufficient for all our needs and the works He has done for us at the cross.
But we should not end here. We also need to emphasize the 3rd point and 3rd characteristic of our Lord Jesus in the book of Psalms.
III. The Sovereign Shepherd (Psalm 24:1-10)
Some commentators said that Psalm 24 is the entrance ceremony of the Ark of the covenant in Jerusalem. It is an introduction of the eternal kingdom. “I will dwell in His house forever.”
From His sacrificial work to His intercessory work. But that’s not all. The gracious sacrifice became the good Shepherd who one day becomes the glorious Sovereign and King!
Reading Psalms 24: 1-10, we can divide this in 3 progressive stages.
a) Psalms v.1-2 Establish the creator and the greatness of God. The glory of the True God.
David is proclaiming that the Lord is the creator and owner of the earth and it is fullness.
b) Psalms v.3-6 Establish the savior the perfect redeemer. (No one is righteous - Rom.3:23) “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?
God has established a better covenant. Jesus is the one who is righteous that took our sins.
The only way we can enter God’s presence is the merits of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ is qualified to enter the Fathers presence. Jesus is the righteous person. He is the only one who can save us and intercede for us.
1st Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
c) Psalms v.7-10 Establish Jesus the King of Glory.
Most commentators connect this psalm with David bringing the Ark of the covenant into Jerusalem and He wrote this for this event. There is also an idea of Jesus entering in the gate to Jerusalem. we call it Palm Sunday. (2Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicle 15:1-16)
King of glory shall come in. The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” The greatest battle He ever waged was waged at the cross.
v.7 “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors” – we’re talking about the gates and the doors of the eternal kingdom – “and the King of glory shall come in. The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.”
David somehow connected these 3 chapters of Psalms: Psalms 22, 23 & 24. If we will look at it on our time, they described yesterday, today and the future.
How does Psalm 24 point to Jesus?
Jesus is the creator of all. “He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters v.2. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth”. (Colossians 1:6)
Jesus is the one who ascended into heaven and is gloriously seated at the right hand of God the Father.
Conclusion:
We find everything in these three Psalms the work of our Lord Jesus from His sacrificial work, to His intercessory work, to His coronation.
In one glimpse through the heart and the mind of David, we have seen the fullness of the majesty of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, from the cross to the kingdom.
You know why He did it? He did it for you and for me.
What a tremendous and amazing Savior to do such a tremendous work!
I would like to tell you right now, wherever you are, Jesus is shouting on the gate of your heart “The King of Glory is coming, Open the Gate of your heart!”
If you are here in the church or watching the live stream, God is probably knocking at the door of your heart right now. I would like to encourage to let Him come in and if you have not prayed the prayer of salvation, I would like you to pray with you. Lord Jesus, please forgive me, for I am a sinner and I would like to receive you as my Lord and personal savior and come into my heart.
If you pray that prayer you are born again. Enjoy the blessing of being a child of God. He is our sufficiency and should be enough for us, and most importantly when our days are done on earth, He is waiting for us in eternal glory.
Let’s pray.