A Study
of Psalm 23
Part 2
| Introduction: The book of Psalms has been called by some historians "The Book Of Praises". Some call it "The Hymnbook of Solomon's Temple". There are about 150 songs in Psalms. Some are about God and some are addressed to God. The Psalms are what any good song book should be - a collection of the innermost feelings of people. We are studying Psalm 23. It is David's testimony of his relationship to God. In it David is comparing that relationship as one of a shepherd to a sheep. David speaks of himself as the sheep and the Lord as his Shepherd in verse one and then he begins to list all the benefits that are his because of the Shepherd's care for him. Review of Part 1: Verse 2: "He maketh me...He leadeth me.." is A Testimony of Satisfaction. Verse 3: "He restoreth my soul...He leadeth me." is A Testimony of Sovereignty. Continuing on to Part 2 of Psalm 23: Text: Psalm 23:4, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me: Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." A Testimony of Security There is a valley called The Valley of the Shadow of Death in Palestine. It is located beyond the hills of Bethlehem and toward the Dead Sea. A spring breaks forth at the foot of the Mt. of Olives 2700 feet above sea level, about 1/2 mile high, and starts a valley that through the centuries has cut deep into the earth. It goes all the way to the Dead Sea, 1300 feet below sea level. Today, it is called the "Wadi Kelt" on the maps. It is really a little Grand Canyon, 1500 feet deep in some places. In Bible times, the bear, the lion, the leper, the hyena, and robbers waited in the shadows and the caves to spring upon the flocks and the shepherd. It was a treacherous valley - a dark valley of perpetual shadows and dangers. It was a valley through which all shepherds had to lead their sheep. In the winter, they would pasture at Jericho. When the spring rains came in the Judean Desert, the hills would break forth with flowers and green grass. The shepherds would turn their flocks out of the lowlands into the mountains to the spring pastures, through this, the valley of the shadow of death. They named it "Shadow of Death" because the possibility of danger and death was always present when they entered it. This valley could just as well be named the "Valley of Worry and Fear." The uncertainty of what they might encounter could very well produce both in the hearts and minds of those who entered. David did not worry about nor fear this valley as he entered it. He knew who his Shepherd was and he knew what He was able to do. For David, it was a walk in the park. He knew he wasn't walking alone. "...I will fear no evil for Thou art with me: Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." What About the Valley Experience? Each one of us at some point in our Christian walk will encounter a valley to pass through that will try to produce worry and fear in us. What will be a comfort to us when this happens? The answer is the promises of God and the Holy Spirit. They become His presence - His rod and His staff that will be a comfort to us when this happens. Examples: 2. Does your valley cause you
to be worried about the future? 3. Does your valley
cause you to be afraid of feeling alone? 4. Does your valley
cause you to be depressed? 5. Does your valley
cause you to worry because you face opposition? 6. Does your valley cause you
to worry about your safety? 7. Does your valley worry you
so much you can't sleep?
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