Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It
Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 23
1. Author: David.
His autograph is on every verse, on the human side. The real author is the Holy Spirit.
Many authors of the Psalms: Asaph wrote twelve, Solomon wrote at least two, Moses wrote
several, Chief musician,unnamed children of Israel, David, and Sons of Korah (wrote
eleven), Heman the Ezrahite (one), Ethan the Ezrahite.
2. The Psalms were divided by the Jews into five song books,
which compare to the first five books of the Old Testament.
1. Psalms 1-41 to Genesis. Tells of our election.
2. Psalms 42-72 to Exodus. Tells of our salvation.
3. Psalms 78-83 to Leviticus. Tells of our sanctification.
4. Psalms 84-1 06 to Numbers. Tells of our warfare.
5. Psalms 107-1 50 to Deuteronomy. Tells of our obedience.
3. This Psalm has been called "Sweetest song ever sung." "The
Psalm everybody knows." "The song of the souls of men." "A
Jewish praise book." (Note the first and last verses of
Psalms 146-1 50.)
4. Jesus in Matthew 26:30 sang with his own Psalm (hymn). Paul in Ephesians 5:19, mentions
psalms, hymns, spiritual songs.
5. Six kinds of songs in the Bible:
1. Songs of Zion ; About the land.
2. Songs of Moses; About the Lamb and life.
3. Songs of Solomon; About love.
4. Songs of David ; About the Lord
5. Songs of Paul and Silas ; About liberty.
Psalm 23 is a harp with six strings ; "So strung and tuned for endless years.
6. Many classes of Psalms.
6. Songs of the Saints; About limitless eternity.
1. Exhortation.
2. Expectation.
3. Imprecatory.
4. Messianic.
5. Resurrection.
6. Reigning.
7. Crucifixion.
8. Human experience.
9. Devotional.
10. Revelation.
7. These Psalms go beyond David and point to the Lord and Saviour,
Judge and King, Jesus Christ.
1. Psalm 1 - "The Blessed Man."
2. Psalm 2 - "The King."
3. Psalm 3 - "The Accused One."
4. Psalm 5 - "The Righteous One."
5. Psalm 6 - "The Groaning One."
6. Psalm 8 - "Son of Man."
7. Psalm 10 - "The Lord."
8. Psalm 18 - "Distressed One."
9. Psalm 22 - "Suffering One."
10. Psalm 23 - "The Shepherd."
8. Pearl of Psalms - Psalms 23.
Pearl of Prophecies - Isaiah 53.
Pearl of Parable - Matthew 13.
9. Psalm 23 is the John 10 of the Old Testament.
A. The divisions of John 10:
1. Morning scene. Verses 1-6.
2. Afternoon scene. Verses 7-10
3. Evening scene and nightfall. Verses 11-18.
B. The divisions of Psalm 23:
1. Early morning, Verses 1-2.
2. Noon. Verse 3a.
3. Afternoon. Verse 3b.
4. Evening shadow. Verse 4.
5. Sunset. Verse 5.
6. Nightfall. Verse 6.
10. Three possible divisions of Psalm 23.
1. Shepherd. Verses 1-2
2. Guide. Verses 3-4.
3. Host. Verses 5-6.
Overall but one portrait; that of the Shepherd.
11. Persons represented in Psalm 23.
1. Shepherd to be obeyed. Verse 1.
2. Traveller to be rested. Verse 2.
3. Wanderer to be restored. Verse 3.
4. Timid to be comforted. Verse 4.
5. Warrior to be feasted. Verse 5.
6. Priest to be anointed. Verse 5.
7. Pilgrim to be housed. Verse 6.
12. Provision made by God in Psalm 23.
1. Physical man. "I shall not want." Verse 1.
2. The spiritual man. "He restoreth my soul." Verse 2.
3. The present. "Goodness and mercy shall follow." Verse 6.
4. The future. "I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever."
Verse .
5. The emergencies and uncertainties of life. "Yea though I walk ... I will fear no evil ... Thy rod and staff they comfort me." Verse 4.
6. Full satisfaction for the whole man. "He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness." Verse 3.
13. Psalm 23.
1. The Person. Verse 1.
2. Provisions. Verse 2.
3. Pathway. Verse 3.
4. Peril. Verse 4.
5. Preparation. Verse 5.
Comparison between Psalms 22, 23, and 24.
I. Psalm 22 Psalm 23 Psalm 24
1. Cross Crook Crown
2. Grace Guidance Glory
3. Provision Protection Prospect
4. Substitute Shepherd Sovereign
5. Yesterday Today Forever
II. Psalm 22. Shepherd's Cross ; Death.
6. Prospect. Verse 6.
1. Sought.
2. Suffered.
3. Saved.
4. Satisfied.
5. Sheltered.
Psalm 23. Shepherd's Crook ; Resurrection.
1. Girding the sheep.
2. Guarding the sheep.
3. Guiding the sheep.
Psalm 24. Shepherd's Crown ; Glory.
4. Goading the sheep.
1. Return for sheep.
2. Rewards the sheep.
3. Reigns over the sheep.
III. Psalm 22. Good Shepherd gives life for the sheep.
(John 10:11).
Psalm 23. Great Shepherd guides and guards, provides for the
sheep. (Hebrews 1 3:20).
Psalm 24. Glorious Shepherd (Chief Shepherd) returns, to
reign, and reward the sheep. (I Peter 5:4).
IV. Psalm 22. A hand scarred and stained with blood.
Psalm 23. A hand to succor and sustain.
Psalm 24. A hand that is sovereign over Satan and sin and
over all; He is King of Kings, Selah.
V. Psalm 22. The Shepherd is on a cross; took care of my past.
Psalm 23. The Shepherd is our companion; takes care of my
present.
Psalm 24. The Shepherd is the conqueror; takes care of my future.
Dr. Bill Kanoy
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