Psalm 23, Part 1
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Scott Downing Christ Conversation 10/16/2016
Christ Conversation Sunday, October 16, 2016 Psalm 23, Part 1
Psalm 23 A Psalm of David. (ESV)
By what name does David call his Shepherd? __________
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Take note of the personal pronouns throughout this psalm. What is the significance of this? _______________________________________________
Were you to speculate when David wrote this Psalm – as a young shepherd or as an older king – what might you venture? Why? 1 _______________________________________________
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When do sheep lie down? _________________________
Some have noted that Psalm 23 is the mid Psalm of three: Psalm 22 – The Good Shepherd cf.2 John 10:11 Psalm 23 – The Great Shepherd cf. Hebrews 13:20-21 Psalm 24 – the Chief Shepherd cf. 1 Peter 5:4
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_______________________________________________ When Jesus gave us a prayer to offer, He used “Our” as the context. What ‘context’ does David offer in this Psalm? _________________________________________ “The LORD is . . .” Hebrews 11:6: ___________________________________ Tense 3: ________________________________________ Reflect on the opening phrase: “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” What is the foundation of “shall?” _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ What does a Shepherd do?
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What is the significance of “still waters?” _____________ _______________________________________________ Give your own paraphrase verses 1 and 2 of this Psalm:
Take a look at Genesis 1 and 2. In Genesis 1 “God” is translated from the Hebrew, Elohim. In Genesis 2, however, beginning with verse 4 and throughout the rest of the chapter, we see a compound name of god: LORD God. LORD is from the Hebrew, Yahweh.
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Why does Genesis 2 add the compound name of God in contrast to Genesis 1?
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1
As a reflection on this – read John 8:1-7. How might this give insight to your musings?
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2 3
Cf is from the Latin conferre: “to bring together.” Compare. Is: in the Qal stem, Active participle. Unbroken in continuity.