Mary's Little Lamb is the
Great ShepherdPsalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
(Psalm 23:1, NIV)When was the last time you read this old familiar verse and learned anything new? Even these familiar words can shed new light when you apply proper tools for Bible study. You may have spent many days reading from Scripture. Have you ever studied it? In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul exhorts you to "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [correctly handling] the word of truth" (KJV). If you are going to study, and you are exhorted to study the Holy Bible, then you need a process to help you. Try this simple, yet powerful, three step approach: observation, interpretation, and application.
1) Observation: What do I see? Start by asking questions and making notes about the passage you are reading. Put on your detective suit and ask lots of questions; ask even simple ones for these will be a springboard to other thoughts and questions. In Psalm 23:1, you could ask: Who is the Lord? What is a shepherd? What does a shepherd do? If the Lord is like a shepherd, then what am I like? Does this verse mean I get anything I want? How can I say the Lord is my shepherd? Who wrote this? Why? And the list goes on. Working through these questions will reveal a great deal of facts from which you can apply the next step.
2) Interpretation: What does it mean? You do not have to be a theologian to study the Bible. In fact, the Bible was written for ordinary people to read and understand through the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember, though, that it was written thousands of years ago to people in a different culture and time; you will have to put yourself in their shoes as you study. Also, remember what the psalmist correctly states: "The law of the Lord is perfect (Psalm 19:7, NIV)" - the Bible is without error; so when you try to interpret Scripture, you must take care not to "read into" a verse something you want it to say. Always interpret Scripture in light of other Scripture. The Bible is the unfolding revelation of God and His redemptive love for all people. In Psalm 23:1, you should interpret that God is not literally a shepherd herding sheep - the Psalmist is using a metaphor to describe the relationship he had with the Lord. The Lord cared and provided for his needs. The Lord is there to watch over you day and night and even if you stray.
3) Application: How does it work for me? At this point, you should have a significant understanding of the passage being studied. This step is crucial to overcome the problem many people have with the Bible - "it is not relevant to me; in fact, it is boring." If you have worked at the first step and made many observations about the passage, you should find this step much easier. How do the truths I understand from this passage apply to my life? After all, this is the purpose of Scripture. The Bible does you no good if it does not change the way you live your life. Do not simply read God's Word but do what it says!(James 1:22) In Psalm 23:1, you can learn to live confidently in this life, knowing that the Lord is watching over your every move. The Lord is always good and wants the best for you. This allows you to live above whatever circumstance you are in.
David is the writer of this Psalm. He could claim these wonderful words of Scripture because he knew the Lord through faith in Messiah, the Christ. Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you realized your hopeless predicament without Christ and turned repentantly to Him? You can know the hope that David shared in Christ. Faith in Christ is not "blind faith". David was sure and you can be too. "Study to show yourself approved" (1 Tim. 2:15, KJV)! And:
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will... (Heb 13:20-21, NIV)
Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.ComCopyright 1999, Randy Lariscy.
