The Study Of Psalm 23 As in any study of the of the Word of God, one must be diligent in looking for the Gospel message or the message of Salvation. We compare "spiritual with spiritual"(1Corinthians 2:13) and see what truths therein may contain; keeping in mind that whatever truth we come to, should in no way violate any other verse or concept that has been established in the Bible. If this is so, then we know we have not yet come to truth in harmonizing God's Word; so we keep searching the scriptures with prayer and supplication unto God for wisdom until we find congruency in our facts.
1 <<A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
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.It is good to decipher and discover the content of a historical event in time; to get an idea of the setting of the story, but it is better and more important, to look for the Gospel message in these verses: In other words, what is God communicating? What must we learn from this chapter? What are our marching orders from these verses? Unless we really find the Spiritual meaning of a passage, we cannot really learn, savor and apply the intended messages of what God wants us to know; even that it is His to disperse. So this will be our task in this study. (The Bible references are provided from the Online Bible Software with accompanying strongs numbering help-aid to assist you in your continuing studies and validating accompanying information wherever necessary.)
Verse 1 <<A psalm of David.>> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want
03068 hwhy Y@hovah yeh-ho-vaw'
AV - LORD 6510, GOD 4, JEHOVAH 4, variant 1; 6519
Jehovah = "the existing One"
The word LORD (all letters capitalized) is Jehovah God. When we check it out LORD (03068 hwhy Y@hovah yeh-ho-vaw') we find the references referring to the Jehovah God as the Creator of the world and all there is. It is used 6519 times in the old testament. Here are some examples:
Genesis 2:7-9 And the LORD <03068> God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 8 ¶ And the LORD <03068> God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground made the LORD <03068> God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD <03068> God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD <03068> God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Exodus 15:3 The LORD <03068> is a man of war: the LORD <03068> is his name.
Leviticus 4:1-4: ¶ And the LORD <03068> spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD <03068> concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them: 3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD <03068> for a sin offering. 4 And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD <03068>; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD <03068>.
Psalm 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD <03068>: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Proverbs 1:7 ¶ The fear of the LORD <03068> is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD <03068> do all these things.
Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD <03068> that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD <03068>; and there is none else.
Isaiah 48:17 Thus saith the LORD <03068>, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD <03068> thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD <03068> of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Even at creation, the LORD Jehovah God, our Redeemer, prepared a way for the redemption of our sins (Titus 1:2; Hebrew 4:3; 1Peter 1:18-21) as it is depicted by the laws for sacrifice in Leviticus 4:1-4. These have all been fulfilled at the cross when Jesus paid for the sins of His elects. As we will see throughout this Psalm it helps us understand from a different vantage point, perhaps, the salvation of Jehovah God, the Shepherd which is prevalent throughout the Bible.
07462 h[r ra`ah raw-aw'
AV - feed 75, shepherd 63, pastor 8, herdmen 7, keep 3, companion 2, broken 1, company 1, devour 1, eat 1, entreateth 1, misc 10; 173
Genesis 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper <07462> of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground
1Samuel 17:40 ¶ And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's <07462> bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he
Psalm 78:72 So he fed <07462> them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
The most important part of the work of the Shepherd is to feed His sheep. Without food, they die; without the right food they are malnourished. This is a picture of the salvation of God. Being the Shepherd He is the author, the custodian and the administrator of His salvation plan. Suffice to say. This concept is enunciated in the New Testament in the gospel of John 10:11 as Jesus declares; I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Jesus defines what a good shepherd:A good shepherd then will give his life for his sheep. We know this to be so when Jesus the Christ, had to give His life on the cross for His sheep. How do we know this? Well, we read in verse 14 of John 10; I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. This is the elects of God of whom will be saved by the Shepherd. There is no one else that qualifies as the good Shepherd because we know from Isaiah 43:11. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. Jesus Christ is the Saviour of His people. Because Jesus is the Saviour therefore He is LORD and if He is LORD then He is the Shepherd and if He is the Shepherd then He is Jehovah God, Creator of the world. (Colossian 1:15-17; Ephesians 3:9 ) Jesus knows who His sheep are in as much as His sheep know Him. How is this so we ask? And in John 10: 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:We read further in John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. If we are elected by Jehovah God unto salvation, then we will eventually come to Christ for it This is the salvation of the God of the Bible where everyone elected unto salvation will be saved as they heed the call of the shepherd as the believers (saved) preach the gospel they are drawn unto Him in order to be saved. (This is why we preach the Gospel.) Interestingly enough, we see another appointment by God: Those of whom God uses as shepherds or pastors and the responsibilities expected of them as ambassadors of God.
Genesis 46:32 And the men are shepherds <07462>, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.
Genesis 48:15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed <07462> me all my life long unto this day,
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors <07462> according to mine heart, which shall feed <07462> you with knowledge and understanding.
Ezekiel 37:24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd <07462>: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
Micah 7:14 Feed <07462> thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed <07462> in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
The LORD who is the shepherd is the hand that feeds the sheep. Even though that we are participants in being His shepherds in the world, we are not to equate it as us having anything to effect salvation. This concept of serving the LORD is common and synonymous with those who are saved. This evidence can be found in a couple of places as in Acts 1:8 and John 21:17;
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
This is our mandate to feed His sheep by bringing the gospel keeping in mind who our Master is. So we are diligent in being witnesses for the Lord as Hebrews 12:2 indicates; Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. It is Jehovah God, the Shepherd that has provided all that's needed for our salvation or the salvation of the Bible. However, not all heed the call. In as much as there is a good shepherd, there are also those who are bad shepherds.
Isaiah 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds <07462> that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Jeremiah 12:10 Many pastors <07462> have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors <07462> that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Ezekiel 34:3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed <07462> not the flock.
Ezekiel 34:5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd <07462>: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
Ezekiel 34:8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd <07462>, neither did my shepherds <07462> search for my flock, but the shepherds <07462> fed <07462> themselves, and fed <07462> not my flock;
Ezekiel 34:19 And as for my flock, they eat <07462> that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
This is what is going on today. God allows this to go on as the sifting of the wheat from the chaff (Luke 3:17) or the co-existence of the wheat and the tare (Matthew 13:30). This language is so unfamiliar to that of the good shepherd. We see the contrast with those who bring not the gospel of truth. If we bring false gospels, the same is that of a bad shepherd. Simply, there is no salvation in any message they may bring let alone those that follow them; they are not fed the truth of God's word whereby they may become saved, so they are therefore doomed to hell forevermore.
02637 rsx chacer khaw-sare'
AV - want 7, lack 6, fail 3, decreased 1, abated 1, have need 1, made lower 1, bereave 1; 21
"I shall not want." This statement sums up the whole relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep or rather Christ and the believers. It is definitive, revealing, accurate, and complete. Nothing more needs to be said. This simple statement is loaded with the truth of the Gospel. This statement is befitting of anyone (the saved) that depends totally for all his sustenance and trusting in Jehovah God. The LORD, our Shepherd. There is neither requirement, nor participation from our part to implement, supplement, or complement the process of salvation; simply put: we shall not want because He has. When we bring the Gospel, by witnessing, preaching the Word, we become an instrument that God uses to draw His elects unto the Shepherd and they become saved. We see the account of His relationship with His elects as He addresses those who are not in John 10:26-29; 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. And to the yet unsaved elects he says John 10:16; And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. There can be no question whose will is being done. God in all His glory is manifested in particular when we bring His Gospel, to save His people, at His time, according to His will, Amen.
Verse 2 : He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Notice the phrase " He maketh me" This is a phrase that we may likely to overlook but it is a key phrase in getting the meaning of what God is saying to us as far as His salvation is about. We did not lie down by ourselves; we were made to lie down. This is the message of Phillipian 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. This is the same message of Hebrew 12:2 we talked about already in verse one. Similarly we see this in the book of Ephesian 2:8-9; 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Salvation is totally the work of God under His control and direction. There is nothing we could ever do to become saved even any minute part of it. If our salvation plan include the fact that we must do something, or to even think that it is our faith that got us save, then we do not have the Salvation of the Bible. This is very clear throughout the Bible as we will also in this Psalm of David as we continue.
07257 #br rabats raw-bats'
AV - lay down 15, lay 9, couch beneath 1, couched 1, misc 4; 30
The reference here to lying down as a posture where no work is done. i.e. we are not doing any work to achieve our desire to be fed; yet we are fed. We are resting on the Shepherd for our livelihood. Jesus Christ our LORD Jehovah, our Saviour supplies everything for all our needs. We see this emphasized in the book of Song of Solomon as in other places.
Song of Solomon 1:7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest <07257> at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
Ezekiel 34:15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down <07257>, saith the Lord GOD.
Zephaniah 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down <07257>, and none shall make them afraid.
These among other passages indicates to us from the context herein, a blessing, or the lifting off of a burden or having no fear are all aspects of how we do not do any work as that burden of worry and concern is under the shepherd's care. ( The message here is that if we did anything to be saved, we do not have the salvation of God - There are those who say they accepted Christ as their LORD and Saviour: How does that square with these verses. We do not see the sheep getting up and getting food. He, the Shepherd did all the work: maketh, leadeth,restoreth, feedeth, etc.,. Christ went to the cross alone, He paid for the sins alone, in as much as that there is no one else that's human who qualifies to be Saviour, except the Righteous Shepherd who is our God.)
01877 afd deshe' deh'-sheh
AV - grass 8, herb 6, green 1; 15
Genesis 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass <01877>, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
Genesis 1:12 And the earth brought forth grass <01877>, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Job 38:27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb <01877> to spring forth?
Jeremiah 50:11 Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass <01877>, and bellow as bulls;
The above references indicate the provision of the very best needed for our nourishment that results in making us fat. It implies having an overabundance of what's needed. Fat is used 105 in the Bible and is viewed as something good; whether by eating things that are full of fat or becoming such as a result of things eaten. Everything we could ever need is provided by the Lord and in abundance I might add. Who knows more about our salvation need than the Shepherd?
04999 han na'ah naw-aw' or (plural) twan
AV - habitations 5, pastures 5, houses 1, places 1; 12
Pasture for the sheep convey the idea of a house or a dwelling place of God, a place of rest from the wilderness for His people.
Psalm 65:12 They drop upon the pastures <04999> of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
Psalm 83:12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses <04999> of God in possession.
Joel 2:22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures <04999> of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
On the other side of the coin, we see it also used as a house of unpleasantness and suffering as in a place of punishment, as in hell depending whether we are under the care of the good Shepherd or not.
Jeremiah 9:10 For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations <04999> of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.
Jeremiah 23:10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places <04999> of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.Amos 1:2 And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations <04999> of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
Adversely, this word is pointing to the judgment of God when it contrasts with the lack thereof, or not having the green habitation. The fact that the word green accompanies it, God is illustrating salvation where those that are saved dwell in but those who are not saved do not have it. (We may easily understand this as either a [plus] +green situation or a [minus] -green situation; where a +green situation is habitation in heaven and a -green situation is doom in hell.)
05095 lhn nahal naw-hal'
AV - guide 5, lead 3, fed 1, carried 1; 10
Here again as in the word "maketh" portrays the idea of passive action. Someone is doing the work. The action is done by the shepherd; He is leading as the sheep follow.
Exodus 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided <05095> them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
Psalm 31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide <05095> me.
Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead <05095> those that are with young.
Isaiah 49:10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide <05095> them.
Notice the perfect analogy of the shepherd and the sheep.(The depth of God's precision with this concept is astounding as always especially when we He opens our eyes and are able to see it) The sheep is a dumb animal that will not get out of its own way. It's totally dependent on the shepherd for all their needs. Like the elects of God, we do not have the wisdom of God to get saved on our own. Hence, our need for salvation is dependent solely on the LORD the Shepherd, the Saviour, the LORD Jesus Christ. He knows our very need.
04496 hxwnm m@nuwchah men-oo-khaw' or hxnm m@nuchah men-oo-khaw'
AV - rest 15, resting place 2, comfortable 1, ease 1, quiet 1, still 1; 21
"Still" indicates the quality of the water; a place where His sheep will be resting. Identifies with a particular type of unique and uncommon water for their existence which can only be gotten from the Shepherd for their perfect and unmatched rest.
Numbers 10:33 And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place <04496> for them.
Deuteronomy 12:9 For ye are not as yet come to the rest <04496> and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.
2Samuel 14:17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable <04496>: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
1Chronicles 22:9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest <04496>; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
Solomon is a picture of Christ. Jesus the Christ is our rest as we read in 1 Chronicles 22:9 "the man of rest". He is the One we rest upon and depend upon entirely for our salvation, We rest in His finished work on the cross. We did absolutely nothing to contribute to our salvation; not a single finger did we lift, much less the fact that we are not qualified to die for anyone else other that our own sins, in which by the way, we will have to if we are not one of His elects (sheep). Only He can provide that type of quality of rest. We can not look anyplace else because they don' have it to give much less sell. We cannot be redeemed by any other blood whether of man or animals; only the cleansing blood of the Lamb. (Hebrew 10:4; 13:20)
04325 ~ym mayim mah'-yim
AV - water 571, piss 2, waters + 06440 2, watersprings 2, washing 1, watercourse + 04161 1, waterflood 1, watering 1, variant 1; 582
Water is an important ingredient to sustains life. Man must have water in order to live. Spiritually, water is the Gospel of Jesus Christ or the Word of God or Jesus Christ Himself: A very important ingredient for salvation. Without it we could not be saved. It is the water of the Gospel whereby we are sprinkled and are cleansed from our sins. (Hebrew 10:22)
Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters <04325>.
Exodus 17:6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water <04325> out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Ezekiel 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water <04325> upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
We are led to the water of the gospel as Moses illustrates in Exodus 17:6 when he struck the "Rock" a picture of Christ, where the water of the Gospel flowed that the children of Israel (picture of the elects of God) may drink and be saved. This is the water of the Gospel as we preach it His elects may drink of it and be save. Notice another picture in Ezekiel 36:25 where we are sprinkled by the water of the gospel (John 3:5) and we are baptized (sprinkled) with the water of the Gospel and God the Holy Spirit (Shepherd) cleansed of our sins and therefore become saved.
Verse 3: He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
07725 bwf shuwb shoobAV - return 391, ...again 248, turn 123, ...back 65, ...away 56, restore 39, bring 34, render 19, answer 18, recompense 8, recover 6, deliver 5, put 5, withdraw 5, requite 4, misc 40; 1066
Without realizing it till now how profound this word is as we see it here used 1066 times in the old testament. (I was tempted to post them all; wouldn't it be a great word to study in your own study time?) This is the essence of God's grace as He willingly recompenses us or restores us unto Himself. Talk about His mercy, WOW!!!. First we must look at the reason why we have been separated from God as the word restore means to be put back as before. (Jesus uses the same concept as He prayed to His Father to restore to Him the glory He had before the world was prior to His going to the cross in John 17:5 "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.) Unlike our present condition, if we are not yet saved, is necessitated because of our sins. When we read in Isaiah 59:2 also "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.": So is the need to be restored.
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return <07725> unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return <07725>.
Job 33:30 To bring back <07725> his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Psalm 51:12 Restore <07725> unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return <07725> unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Jeremiah 3:14 Turn <07725>, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you toZion:
Malachi 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return <07725> unto me, and I will return <07725> unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return <07725>?
This is pointing to a life that will be reattained or reacquired prior to our present existence. To be restored back to God who created us in His image. It can not be talking about our present life because we have that now; why would we need to be restored if we have it already? So this can only be pointing to a life or situation that is yet to be re-attained. Salvation is that life and the work of the Shepherd necessitated the restoration. Regardless of how we feel, unless God the Shepherd is merciful to restore us unto Himself we are doomed for hell for eternity. The marvelous grace of God that no words can describe.
05315 fpn nephesh neh'-fesh
AV - soul 475, life 117, person 29, mind 15, heart 15, creature 9, body 8, himself 8, yourselves 6, dead 5, will 4, desire 4, man 3, themselves 3, any 3, appetite 2, misc 47; 753
The soul of man represents the essence of man. It is the living mechanism that goes back to God. The image of God that is accountable to God and should be restored to Him again. Otherwise it will be in hell under His wrath, just as long, forever.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul <05315>.
Numbers 5:6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person <05315> be guilty;
Deuteronomy 23:24 When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure <05315>; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.
Our souls are restored again when we are saved. Upon death or Christ's return the realization of our souls will be determined: either in heaven with Christ or in hell forever. Thanks be to the merciful God should we find our souls restored back into the presence of God at the end of time.
05148 hxn nachah naw-khaw'
AV - lead 24, guide 6, bring 4, bestowed 1, lead forth 1, govern 1, put 1, straiteneth 1; 39
A characteristic of the good Shepherd is to lead His sheep. We are never left alone unfed, unled and uncared for. We are totally under custodial care. Today, if we are saved we do not worry about what we eat or drink as Luke 12:22-30 points out.
Nehemiah 9:12 Moreover thou leddest <05148> them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.
Job 12:23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth <05148> them again.Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead <05148> me into the land of uprightness.
Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide <05148> thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Even what we eat, how we eat is of the LORD the shepherd. All our ways are led by Him. He leads us in our goings out and our comings in. (Psalm 65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.) We witness the same type language.
04570 lg[m ma`gal mah-gawl' or fem. hlg[m ma`galah mah-gaw-law'
AV - path 9, trench 3, goings 2, ways 1, wayside + 03027 1; 16
We are led to a particular path or way; not just any way to get there, His way which totally identifies with being led or directed always. As Jesus is the door, the only door to salvation. He also said in John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If we don't go His way we are not His.
1Samuel 17:20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench <04570>, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
Psalm 17:5 Hold up my goings in thy paths <04570>, that my footsteps slip not.
Psalm 140:5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside <04570>; they have set gins for me. Selah.
Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings <04570>.
We see the same a repeat of the same theme as Shepherd is our keeper, our protector. He goes before and after us in order to protect us from all evil. As we see in Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. We are safe in the arms of the Shepherd.
06664 qdc tsedeq tseh'-dek
AV - righteousness 77, just 11, justice 10, righteous 8, righteously 3, right 3, righteous cause 1, unrighteousness 1, misc 2; 116
All the more reason that we are led. Here we see the result of why we a led in a specific way: so that we may obtain His righteousness. We can not get this by going any old way because the righteousness is, His not ours. So we follows as sheep because only He knows the right way. This is pointed out in the Gospel of Luke as in Isaiah 40:3; Luke 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Deuteronomy 25:15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just <06664> weight, a perfect and just <06664> measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Job 29:14 I put on righteousness <06664>, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
Psalm 9:4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right <06664>.
Psalm 119:164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous <06664> judgments.
Isaiah 59:4 None calleth for justice <06664>, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness <06666>, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
There can be no mistake of whose righteousness we are clothed. (Isaiah 61:10) The Lord our Shepherd provides a covering for our sins. That is His robe of righteousness so we can be in the presence of God. " What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:4. This is the grace of God - Amazing grace. Thanks be to God.
08034 ~f shem shame
AV - name 832, renown 7, fame 4, famous 3, named 3, named + 07121 2, famous + 07121 1, infamous + 02931 1, report 1, misc 10; 864
Our name identifies with our character and who we are whether it be good or bad. The righteousness is that of Jehovah God in whom we are being led if we are elected and for His sake as He (this is what is demanded being His character) identifies with that which is characteristic to His name
Genesis 2:20 And Adam gave names <08034> to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
Genesis 3:20 And Adam called his wife's name <08034> Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
Psalm 44:8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name <08034> for ever. Selah.Psalm 89:16 In thy name <08034> shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
This is assurance we can have is that because of His desire for righteousness, should we be part of His kingdom, we will be justified, otherwise we are none of His.
Verse 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.
03212 $ly yalak yaw-lak'
AV - go 628, walk 122, come 77, depart 66, ...away 20, follow 20, get 14, lead 17, brought 8, carry 5, bring 4, misc 62; 1043
The prolific use of this word to indicates a walk that is not of an idle nature as in just a casual manner. This is a measured and a well-orchestrated act to effect change or maintain a desired position or belief.
Genesis 3:14 ¶ And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go <03212>, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
Genesis 7:18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went <03212> upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way <03212>: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Job 12:19 He leadeth <03212> princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
Psalm 26:11 But as for me, I will walk <03212> in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
Isaiah 55:1 ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come <03212> ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come <03212> ye, buy, and eat; yea, come <03212>, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Whichever way we walk is determined by who we walk with. We are given the context of God giving a direct command as in "come" or "go" but to also be in obedience in what we are commanded to do as indicated by the usage as the word "follow" Therefore we are to walk worthy of the Lord (Ephesians.4:1, Colossians 1:10) We are to walk according to His precepts and commandments. Those who follow not the Shepherd walk according to the principles of the devil and will head for hell.
01516 ayg gay' gah'-ee or (shortened) yg gay gah'-ee
AV - valley 60; 60
When we look at the word for valley, it indicates a place that is between two mountains. God uses mountain as a place where He dwells especially when He refers to Mt. Zion. The valley is where war and the judgment of God is carried out. Let us examine;
Psalm 60:1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley <01516> of salt twelve thousand.>> O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
Isaiah 40:4 Every valley <01516> shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
Ezekiel 7:16 ¶ But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys <01516>, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
Ezekiel 36:6 Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys <01516>, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:
Referring to the valley as a place where the Gospel is to be prophesied and in Ezekiel 36:6 we see that His people (elects) have become as shameful (sinful) as the heathens do. This place is the world that we presently live. This is the only place a believer can exist and still sin. In heaven, the believer will live righteously. Ezekiel 7:16 refers to "doves of the valley" refers to the believers (doves) will escape to the mountain where there is salvation. The valley points to our present habitation in the world.
06757 twmlc tsalmaveth tsal-maw'-veth
AV - shadow of death 18; 18
Job 10:21 Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death <06757>; 22 A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death <06757>, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.
Job 16:16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death <06757>;
Jeremiah 2:6 Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through land of drought, and of the shadow of death <06757>, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death <06757>, upon them hath the light shined. (cf Matthew 4:16)
Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The message of hell and damnation is devastating. This is another reference as we see the implication in Job 16:16. The message is about a place of real damnation if it was to come to pass today. Even though we are in the world we still have a chance to be redeemed. That possibility exists until the last day; the day of judgment when the punishment of death is authenticated; unless the Shepherd provides salvation for us. It is an indication of a shadow of death for the believer because he will not remain there; but it will be real death and not a shadow for those in the world to whom the Shepherd will not redeem because they are not His sheep;These are the unsaved who will face the wrath of God.
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.
03372 ary yare' yaw-ray'
AV - fear 188, afraid 78, terrible 23, terrible thing 6, dreadful 5, reverence 3, fearful 2, terrible acts 1, misc 8; 314
What is the proper perspective in a relationship between man and man, and man and God? We see how in 1Peter 2:17 tell us how these relationships should be observed: "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. We give the proper respect to whom God commands. but the fear of God really makes us observe the former. If we do not fear God we couldn't properly observe our relationship with our fellow man. What this really means is unless we are saved we cannot love our brother nor honor anyone. So every observances of God's law stems from the fact that we must be saved and so everything points back to God, the Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. Properly, we are to fear only God as we are also told in Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." God is the only one who could destroy both body and soul.
Genesis 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid <03372>, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Exodus 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid <03372> to look upon God.
Leviticus 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear <03372> thy God: I am the LORD.
Deuteronomy 31:12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear <03372> the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:
As we have seen we are not to fear anything or anyone else. A child of God does not fear the devil or anything else or a situation, no matter how adverse, that may happen in his or her life. One of the most profound characteristic of a child of God is the fear God as we read Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."We can be easily identifiable if we have the wisdom of God. He will be seen in our lives.
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.
07451 [r ra` rah
AV - evil 442, wickedness 59, wicked 25, mischief 21, hurt 20, bad 13,
trouble 10, sore 9, affliction 6, ill 5, adversity 4, favoured 3,
harm 3, naught 3, noisome 2, grievous 2, sad 2, misc 34; 663This word is about all evil whether it be our sins or or the wickedness of men or the acts of Satan. There is nothing good about it. What eveil that we need to be kept from? there's no other evil in the world other than Satan and his ministers with all the evil they device.
Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil <07451>, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die
Psalm 34:21 Evil <07451> shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
Psalm 38:12 ¶ They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt <07451> speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
Psalm 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil <07451> in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Proverbs 28:5 ¶ Evil <07451> men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Ezekiel 14:21 For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore <07451> judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome <07451> beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?
Amos 5:14 Seek good, and not evil <07451>, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.Jonah 4:2 And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil <07451>.
Zecariah 8:17 And let none of you imagine evil <07451> in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.
If we, the elect, were not under the care of the Shepherd of our salvation we would surely perish. We are not smart enough to overcome or deny his crafty devices. But we are safe in the arms of God who keeps aus and shield us from the fiery darts of the devil.
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.
07626 jbf shebet shay'-bet
AV - tribe 140, rod 34, sceptre 10, staff 2, misc 4; 190
What is the one reason we do not fear anyone? Because we have His word that guarantees to us His promises and that we will never be forsaken. Even that He gives us the faith to believe Him. (Roman 4:16; Galatians 2:16.20; Ephesians 3:12)
Genesis 49:10 The sceptre <07626> shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Genesis 49:28 ¶ All these are the twelve tribes <07626> of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
2Samuel 18:14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts <07626> in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
2Samuel 23:21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff <07626>, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
Psalm 45:6 ¶ Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre <07626> of thy kingdom is a right sceptre <07626>.
Proverbs 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod <07626>, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod <07626>, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
We can only conclude that word interpreted here as rod, tribe, septre staff, etc. is something that is synonymous with a child of God. It is something that identifies with the child of God. As a septre is to a king as is a rod to a believer. Spiritually speaking, the reference here has to be talking about the calling or the election of God. This is our only assurance that we can be with God by His divine decree and authority. This is the calling that guarantees us our salvation, without it we will be in hell. As in Proverbs 23, we are beaten with it by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to deliver ourselves from hell; We will be overcome by the rod so that our election will be made sure.
04938 hn[fm mish`enah mish-ay-naw' or tn[fm mish`eneth mish-eh'-neth
AV - staff 11, stave 1; 12
In conjunction with the rod, a staff provide the same comfort. What could a believer need for comfort I wonder.
Exodus 21:19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff <04938>, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.
2Kings 4:31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff <04938> upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
Isaiah 3:1 ¶ For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff <04938>, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,
Ezekiel 29:6 And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff <04938> of reed to the house of Israel.
Zechariah 8:4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff <04938> in his hand for very age.
We are confronted with a situation where the work we do needs the assistance of a staff. Our references point to something we walk according as in Exodus 21:19 or an instrument of healing as in 2Kings 4:31-35. This points to the spiritual healing of salvation that the Word of God brings. It is what that keeps us in knowledge of God. The Bible is the Word of God that brings comfort to the believer. This is our reassurance from God as Jesus reassures us Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Our comfort is His word as a staff is to a king (believer)
05162 ~xn nacham naw-kham'
AV - comfort 57, repent 41, comforter 9, ease 1; 108
Our salvation is assured because of our election and its fulfillment by the Word. In the presence of the rod and the staff is great comfort. Can we say we are terribly assured and convicted of our situation. It puts us at ease if we are right with the Lord.
Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort <05162> us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
Genesis 6:6 ¶ And it repented <05162> the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent <05162>: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Isaiah 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth <05162>, so will I comfort <05162> you; and ye shall be comforted <05162> in Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 14:22 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted <05162> concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.
God indicates a condition that He feels toward mankind because of his sinfulness.The use of the word (repent) does not indicate that God was sorry He created man. This cannot be so because God knows the beginning from the end of the world. God knew before creation because Christ was a sheep slain from before the foundation of the world; so God knew that man would sin and needed to be saved. The sense is more of being comforted or being confirmed that what was imminent has finally come true as God knew this of mankind before it happened. The mercy of God abounds as He disperses it to whom He sees fit; from His vantage point whatever that is because we do not know. God being God is quite aware of the fact that without Him, mankind is destined for hell and yet He is determined to be patient about it until due time - we wait upon the LORD until we finally become saved in His perfect time.
Verse 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
06186 $r[ `arak aw-rak'
a primitive root; TWOT - 1694; v
Again, we see an implication of being a recipient of an act or service. The Shepherd is doing the act of preparing, We are not preparing anything but rather participating in a passive manner.
Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid <06186> the wood in order <06186>, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood
Exodus 40:4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order <06186> the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
Judges 20:22 And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array <06186> in the place where they put themselves in array <06186> the first day.
Job 32:14 Now he hath not directed <06186> his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
Job 37:19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order <06186> our speech by reason of darkness.
Much truth is learned here as we see the word interpreted preparest to mean a meticulous and methodical order that God ordains the preparation. The word depicts an orderly and measured way of doing the job. Not in any way as if the affair is of a casual or in an incidental way. Picture such a way as if we were to go to a high-class restaurant, utensils and plates would be laid out in a orderly and planned way as is accepted to management or owners of the establishment. This is the picture we get by looking at the way the word ($r[ `arak aw-rak') prepareth is used.
07979 !xlf shulchan shool-khawn'
AV - table 70; 70
O.T.-AV - table 13, bank 1, meat 1; 15The picture that is described here is that of a monumental nature as is witnessed by our study of the word "prepareth" just previously. Keep in mind the parable of the wedding feast in the Gospel of Matthew 22. as we read the references of the occasion of the wedding of the Groom (Christ) and His Bride (Believer) upon His return at the end of the world.
Exodus 26:35 And thou shalt set the table <07979> without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table <07979> on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table <07979> on the north side.
2Samuel 9:13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table <07979>; and was lame on both his feet.2Samuel 19:28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table <07979>. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
2Chronicles 4:8 He made also ten tables <07979>, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold.
Psalm 78:19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table <07979> in the wilderness?Isa 21:5 Prepare the table <07979>, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
Isaiah 21:5 Prepare the table <07979>, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
Doesn't this sound like the language of Salvation? Of course we see a picture of being served with the goodness of the Lord's table. Similarly we read in 1Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Does this language draw the picture?
06887 rrc tsarar tsaw-rar'
AV - enemy 14, distress 7, bind up 6, vex 6, afflict 4, besiege 4, adversary 3, strait 3, trouble 2, bound 2, pangs 2, misc 5; 58
Exodus 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up <06887> in their clothes upon their shoulders.
1Samuel 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait <06887>, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
2Samuel 20:3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up <06887> unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.
2Chronicles 6:28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege <06887> them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
2Chronicles 33:12 And when he was in affliction <06887>, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,Psalm 31:9 ¶ Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble <06887>: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
Psalm 69:17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble <06887>: hear me speedily.
Amos 5:12 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict <06887> the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
If we are unsaved we will be in a situation of being under bonds or confinement. The scenario that we all are under is our sins. In Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. When we do not obey God there is no separating of our sins from us. These sins keeps us in confinement and under affliction. Unless we are His elects where while we are yet unsaved, the Shepherd still has prepared a table for us because He will save those He predestinated unto salvation. We see this in Ephesians 2:2-5; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: We cannot understand the mercy of God. We just accept it not only because we are His (if we are truly saved) sheep, but because we are commanded to do so. The world does not heed these commands, but we leave it up to Him. Should it be that he desires salvation for some of us, we do our part by preaching and teaching His Word. The rest is according to the will and counsel of His good pleasure. So we wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:13; 37:34; Proverbs 20:22)
01878 !fd dashen daw-shane'
AV - made fat 6, wax fat 1, take away ashes 1, anoint 1, receive his ashes 1, accept 1; 11
In the New Testament, the name Christ means "anointed". He is the Son of God the Messiah who came to take away the sins of the world. This theme is common is the usage of this word as we will discover:
Numbers 4:13 And they shall take away the ashes <01878> from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat <01878>; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat <01878>: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat <01878>.
Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh <01878> the bones fat <01878>.
Proverbs 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in fatness. the LORD shall be made fat <01878>.
Isaiah 34:7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat <01878> with fatness.
Earlier on in this study there was reference made to being made fat as a result of the green pasture the sheep eat. Similarly, we see the reference made in this word anointed. The reward of God has made us fat in reference to having an abundance of His blessings.This is the idea conveyed by this word and is a result of our having being saved.
07218 far ro'sh roshe
AV - head 349, chief 91, top 73, beginning 14, company 12, captain 10, sum 9, first 6, principal 5, chapiters 4, rulers 2, misc 23; 598
Genesis 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top <07218> may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Genesis 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head <07218>, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head <07218>, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
Exodus 6:14 ¶ These be the heads <07218> of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.
Exodus 29:6 And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head<07218>, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.
2Samuel 16:1 ¶ And when David was a little past the top <07218> of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
Ezra 2:68 And some of the chief <07218> of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
There are several meanings as indicated by the various text references. The reference here simply refers to the head as part of the body. It is a part that represents the total person of whom is being blessed. Another reference points also to Christ the first anointed Messiah who is the head of the Church. He has been anointed and all those that believe in Him will likewise follow. The anointing is the representation of salvation that resulted from Christ having paid the penalty for our sins and that we do not have to stand in judgment if we are saved. It is a sign of a reward for the victory over death that He overcame and conquered.
08081 !mf shemen sheh'-men
AV - oil 165, ointment 14, olive 4, oiled 2, fat 2, things 2, misc 4; 193
The Creek equivalent for this word is "Gethsemane" which means "an oil press."- A place we can identify as the place where Gospel was fulfilled. The garden in Gethsemane is the place where Jesus was in great agony as He bore the wrath of God even before He went to the cross. Throughout the Bible "oil" is generally referred to as the oil of the Gospel. We see in Matthew 25 the parable of the ten virgins: Five were wise with oil in their lamps signifying those that are watching for the coming of the Groom (Christ) by bringing the Gospel and five were foolish referring to those whose lamps have no oil in them signifying those that have no regard for the Gospel and it is a picture of those who are not saved.
Exodus 27:20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil <08081> olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
Exodus 30:25 And thou shalt make it an oil <08081> of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil <08081>.
Psalm 109:24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness <08081>.
Ecclesiates 9:8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment <08081>.
Isaiah 25:6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things <08081>, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things <08081> full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
The references point to the process that render fulfillment in the good and abundance for our needs. Truly, to be anointed is language any Christian would desire. This is what God evidently does to those whom He saves.
03563 swk kowc koce
AV - cup 31, owl 3; 34
Genesis 40:11 And Pharaoh's cup <03563> was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup <03563>, and I gave the cup <03563> into Pharaoh's hand.
Psalm 116:13 I will take the cup <03563> of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Jeremiah 25:17 Then took I the cup <03563> at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:
Revelation 18:6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup <4221> which she hath filled fill to her double.
When we were created God give to everyone a cup which is filled with all of our works as the will of God: either of good or indignation.
07310 hywr r@vayah rev-aw-yaw'
AV - run over 1, wealthy 1; 2
Psalm 66:12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy <07310> place.
As has been the theme of this Psalm we are inundated with an overabundance of good things that has been provided by the Shepherd to those He saves. It truly re-emphasizes the fact of Him doing all the work for our salvation. Therefore if our cup is overflowing how much could we add to our salvation? Again the point: we do not do any work for our salvation. If we are saved we are treated as a guest: we're made to lie down in green pasture. What more could a sheep want?
Verse 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.
02896 bwj towb tobe
AV - good 361, better 72, well 20, goodness 16, goodly 9, best 8, merry 7, fair 7, prosperity 6, precious 4, fine 3, wealth 3, beautiful 2, fairer 2, favour 2, glad 2, misc 35; 559
There is only one who is good and that is God. We read in Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. He is good in all His way, in his creation and in his judgments.
Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good <02896>: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Psalm 119:72 ¶ The law of thy mouth is better <02896> unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Jeremiah 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good <02896>; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
02617 dsx checed kheh'-sed
AV - mercy 149, kindness 40, lovingkindness 30, goodness 12, kindly 5, merciful 4, favour 3, good 1, goodliness 1, pity 1, reproach 1, wicked thing 1; 248
Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy <02617> endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Psalm 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness <02617>, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness <02617>, and repenteth him of the evil.
There is no remedy for our sins. Alone we stand, alone we receive our due punishment in hell if we remain unsaved. And yet, the merciful Shepherd has taken it upon Himself to pay the ransome demanded by the law of God in Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the second death in hell if we are not saved. This is the message of the Bible that by believing in Jesus Christ as our LORD and Saviour we may not go to hell ourselves , but that Christ's took our place on the cross and is sufficient to satisfy the penalty required by the law of God for our sins. If this is so, we will never have to appear in front of the judgment seat of God and answer for all our numerous sins.
07291 @dr radaph raw-daf'
AV - pursue 74, persecute 20, follow 18, chase 13, persecutors 7, pursuer 6, follow after 1, flight 1, misc 3; 143
Exodus 14:4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow <07291> after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.
Exodus 14:23 And the Egyptians pursued <07291>, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
Leviticus 26:8 And five of you shall chase <07291> an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight <07291>: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.We are overwhelmed by the fact that goodness and mercy shall pursue and overtake us. This is another aspect of God's mercy. We do not just receive His mercy but we are taken over and overcome by it. Our desires are not considered. The point being that God the Shepherd knows what it takes for us that He is leaving nothing to chance. If we are His, we will have an abundance of His goodness and mercy, sufficient for all our needs.
03117 ~wy yowm yome
AV - day 2008, time 64, chronicles + 01697 37, daily 44, ever 18, year 14, continually 10, when 10, as 10, while 8, full 8 always 4, whole 4, alway 4, misc 44; 2287
Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day <03117>, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day <03117>.
Numbers 11:20 But even a whole month <03117>, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?
Numbers 28:24 After this manner ye shall offer daily <03117>, throughout the seven days <03117>, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
Deuteronomy 28:29 And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore <03117>, and no man shall save thee.
Deuteronomy 31:13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as <03117> ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
1Samuel 1:3 And this man went up out of his city yearly <03117> <03117> to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
1Samuel 18:29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually <03117>.
The references give an account of day or month or daily or yearly as the same word. This then gives the idea of a specified amount of time predetermined. It gives the idea that man has a specified lifetime period. The guarantee therefore applies to the period that man is alive. We can be sure that the all the days talked about is our days in this world because it is predetermined and quantifiable in length.
02416 yx chay khah'-ee
AV - live 197, life 144, beast 76, alive 31, creature 15, running 7, living thing 6, raw 6, misc 19; 501
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life <02416>; and man became a living <02416> soul.
Genesis 8:19 Every beast <02416>, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
1Samuel 2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw <02416>.
Leviticus 14:51 And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living <02416> bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running <02416> water, and sprinkle the house seven times:
To have an assurance of such a cared for existence is more than we could ever want. However, this is a message that refers in particular to our salvation. We are provided for, for our physical needs, but the underlying message of this verse and the whole chapter confirms this. When we look at the world, the believers do not necessarily have all the physical wealth as the unbelievers do and yet the Bible especially this chapter emphasizes that they are made fat by what's provided for them. This underscores our spiritual relationship with God; namely salvation.
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.
03427 bfy yashab yaw-shab'
AV - dwell 437, inhabitant 221, sit 172, abide 70, inhabit 39, down 26, remain 23, in 22, tarry 19, set 14, continue 5, place 7, still 5, taken 5, misc 23; 1088
Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide <03427> ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
Genesis 25:11 ¶ And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt <03427> by the well Lahairoi.
1Samuel 23:14 ¶ And David abode <03427> in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained <03427> in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
Psalm 80:1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph.>> Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest <03427> between the cherubims, shine forth.
Simply, we become inhabitants of where we're designated. Our physical location becomes our dwelling place. How we end up where we end up is determined by whom cares for us If we're under the Shepherd's care then our habitation is assured. Those that are not saved will also have theirs in hell .
01004 tyb bayith bah'-yith
AV - house 1881, household 54, home 25, within 22, temple 11, prison 16, place 16, family 3, families + 01 2, dungeon 2, misc 23; 2055
Genesis 7:1 ¶ And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house <01004> into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household <01004>, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Genesis 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison <01004>.
Genesis 39:22 And the keeper of the prison <01004> committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison <01004>; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
2Kings 11:11 And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple <01004> to the left corner of the temple <01004>, along by the altar and the temple <01004>.
Depending on who we are, our dwelling place is determined by who we are. The house we dwell in is predicated by our destiny whether we are a prisoner under bonds or a righteous person. Therefore where we live is given to us or we are allowed to attain it because the Lord has set it up to be so.The eye-opening truth of this Psalm is that the Shepherd leads His sheep. What then happens to those who are not led? They are left to serve themselves to whatever it pleases them and that is their desire is to exalt themselves to be the best at what they do without the fear of God in their lives. Their pursuit of career goals and worldly success will be a snare for them because their desire will be to get the best education, have the best career, buy the best house, drive the best car, without regard for what is best for the Lord. Our allegiance is to God first and foremost as we are commanded in Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (i.e. It is our love first of God that makes us love our neighbors in bringing the Gospel.) We are further commanded in Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. We justify what we do because it is the god we serve, unless God open our spiritual eyes, we too will head toward the things of the world.
0753 $ra 'orek o'rek'
AV - length 70, long 21, ever 2, as long as 1, high 1; 95
Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length <0753> of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
2Chromnicles 3:15 Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high <0753>, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.
Lamentations 5:20 Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long <0753> time?
Interestingly enough, this word forever is two words in Hebrew. The first word indicates a reference to a unspecific measurement in time. The given information is that the actual length of time will be either short or medium or long. What determines the length is the preposition used, i.e. "five cubic" high. or as in "live in the house" forever. The next word will give us a clue.
03117 ~way yowl yoke
A - day 2008, time 64, chronicles + 01697 37, daily 44, ever 18, year 14, continually 10, when 10, as 10, while 8, full 8 always 4, whole 4, allay 4, miss 44; 2287
Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day <03117>, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day <03117>.
Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually <03117>.
Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth <03117>, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day <03117> and night shall not cease.
Genesis 24:1 ¶ And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age <03117>: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Genesis 26:8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time <03117>, that Abimelech king of the Philistine looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebecca his wife.
Genesis 40:4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season <03117> in ward.
Exodus 2:23 ¶ And it came to pass in process of time <03117>, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
Exodus 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day <03117> <03117>, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
The unit of measuring time is determined here - a specific units as in "day" or "daily"or "season" or "passage in time". We know that the application here is that there is a definite period of continuing and not having come to a specific end. We are reassured that the period is forever -that there wi