Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Psalm 23:6 "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." This verse offers blessed assurance. King David declares that life with God brings security, blessing, and eternity. While "the house of the LORD" originally referred to the Temple, it here signifies eternal fellowship with God—permanent belonging in His presence, foreshadowing heaven (John 14:2–3). "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me": The Hebrew verb (radaph) means to pursue or chase. God's loyal love (hesed) and kindness actively pursue the believer throughout life, even amid hardship, reflecting unwavering divine faithfulness. "All the days of my life": God's care endures without fail, from start to finish of earthly existence. Psalm 23, written by King David, portrays God as a loving shepherd who provides, guides, and protects. It moves from peaceful provision (green pastures, still waters) throug...

Psalm 23:5 "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Psalm 23, penned by King David, beautifully portrays God as a loving shepherd who provides, guides, and protects His people. The psalm progresses from peaceful provision (green pastures, still waters) to God's presence in suffering (the valley of the shadow of death), then to God as a generous host who honors the believer. It concludes with assurance of God's goodness and mercy for life and eternity. Central themes—trust, divine care, and spiritual security—explain why these verses remain so beloved. Today's verse shifts from shepherd to royal host: "You prepare a table before me": Despite danger and opposition, God provides abundant provision and safety. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a host was bound to protect guests—even from enemies nearby. "In the presence of mine enemies": God's blessing is so complet...

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." This verse calls us to trust God amid our deepest fears and dangers. The "valley of the shadow of death" represents life's darkest moments—suffering, loss, or the threat of death—but not always literal dying. It includes any season of intense fear or uncertainty. We all face these valleys. Yet King David declares, "I will fear no evil," because God is with him. The shift from speaking about God to speaking to Him ("thou art with me") makes the assurance deeply personal. The shepherd's rod (for protection) and staff (for guidance) symbolize God's strength, care, and constant presence, bringing comfort even in peril. The promise is not escape from danger, but confident passage through it with the Good Shepherd by our side. Green pastures and still waters are blessings, but we need H...

Psalm 23:3 "He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." God’s presence is constant—He promises never to abandon us. In Psalm 23, David beautifully portrays God as the Shepherd and His people as sheep. The psalm opens with a deeply personal relationship: God as a caring, guiding, and protective Provider. “Green pastures” symbolize places of abundance and spiritual nourishment through God’s Word. “Still waters” represent gentle, safe streams that bring peace and renewal. “He restores my soul”: God revives and renews us when we are weary, broken, or wandering—much like a shepherd rescuing a lost or exhausted sheep. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness”: God actively guides believers into moral, upright living—not merely for our benefit, but “for his name’s sake,” to uphold His own character, honor, and faithfulness. These “paths of righteousness” are the established ways of truth and holiness revealed in God’s Word, ensurin...

Psalm 23:2 "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters." We’re studying God’s presence with us. He promises never to abandon His people. Because God is with us, we need not fear—His righteous right hand sustains us through every trial. Psalm 23, written by David, is a cherished passage that portrays God as Shepherd and His people as sheep. Through this metaphor, it beautifully expresses trust in God’s provision, guidance, and protection—from earthly care to eternal hope. It has comforted believers in sorrow and is often read at funerals. The opening verse establishes a deeply personal relationship: “The LORD is my shepherd” presents God as a caring, guiding, protective provider. Sheep lie down only when they feel safe and satisfied. Today’s verse pictures a soul at rest, its needs fully met by God—a scene of trust, contentment, and divine guidance. Green pastures: places of abundance and satisfaction, symbolizing spiritual nourishment th...

Psalm 23:1 "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." We’re studying God’s presence with us. Yesterday, Isaiah 41:10 reminded us of His compassion for the weak and His power to uphold them—pointing to the strength we find in Christ, who fulfills God’s promise to never abandon His people. Today, we cling to this truth: because God is with us, we need not fear—His righteous right hand sustains us through every trial. We now turn to Psalm 23, a cherished passage written by David. Using the metaphor of God as shepherd and His people as sheep, it beautifully expresses trust in God’s provision, guidance, and protection. From earthly care to eternal hope, it has comforted believers in sorrow and is often read at funerals. The opening verse establishes a deeply personal relationship: “The LORD is my shepherd” portrays God as a caring, guiding, protective provider, much like a shepherd tends his flock. “I shall not want” means “I lack nothing truly needed.” It’s not a promise of ric...