Psalms 23

3. By it the soul is supported under present troubles.] Joy stupefies and swallows up troubles; it carries the heart above them, as the oil swims above the water. 4. The heart is fenced against future fear.] Joy is both a cordial and an antidote; it is a cordial which gives pres…

It strengthens the saints in their weaknesses (Hebrews 11:34). It supplies all their wants out of its alms-basket (Psalm 23:5). Thus Providence does wonderfully supply the wants of the elect.

But only one thing, which is here held forth to him: the name of the Lord, for him to trust and stay himself upon — both that name of God (Exodus 34:6), 'The Lord God, gracious and merciful,' etc., and that name of Christ, which is called (Jeremiah 23:6) 'Jehovah our righteousne…

This is a sovereign remedy against immoderate grief in the greatest distress: and, undoubtedly the floods of affliction shall never overwhelm him, that has his heart assured by faith of the mercy of God towards him by Jesus Christ. This made David say, He would not fear evil, th…

Here you see, first, their extreme wants — water being put even for the necessaries of life; and (2) their certain relief: 'I the Lord will hear them' — in which it is supposed that they cry to him in their straits, and he hears their cry. Having therefore these promises, why sh…

God was in Christ's bosom, when he was in a stormy Sea, and the light of Faith says, behold, the shore at hand. Death takes feet and power of motion from a man; but, (Psalm 23:4) yet Faith makes a supposition, that David may walk and live, breathe in the grave, in the valley of…

And therefore rather than God should be dishonored, and the people discouraged and prejudiced by the want of it, he would send it back again, and is content to lose outward blessings. His care was not so much about outward things; his chief care was, if he might have had his wis…

Abraham had not this full persuasion, till God had sundry times spoken to him. David, upon much trial of the mercy, and favor of God, grows to resolution, and says (Psalm 23:6): "Doubtless kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." This distinction of the degre…

And David protests, that he will not fear, though he should walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Why so? because he knew that God was with him (Psalm 23:4). In your name.] In these words the Prophet meant to show from where this magnanimity of mind in the faithful pro…

How feelingly does the Psalmist acknowledge divine goodness in this! He restores my soul: and leads me in paths of righteousness, for his name's sake (Psalm 23:3); that is to say, Now I can walk and act as a sound man, and the paths of righteousness are become pleasant and delec…

(4.) What unspeakable comfort is it for a poor soul, that sees nothing but sin and vileness in it self, at the same time to see what an high esteem and value the great God has for him! This may be discerned by a due attendance to Providence, for there a man sees goodness and mer…

He was not satisfied in general to say, let darkness stain it, but if any would know what kind or degree of darkness he intends, these words expound his meaning to be, the worst darkness that can be: any darkness is evil, but darkness and the shadow of death is the utmost of evi…

In sum, that which she seeks, is this, You who guide all yours, as a shepherd does a flock, let me know how you order your people, and carry them through in times of snares, and where you refresh them in time of trouble: These being the two great duties of a shepherd, are well p…

And Zachary and Elizabeth have this testimony, that they were both righteous, walking in all the commandments of God blameless (Luke 1:6). Thus we have the ways of holiness called ways of righteousness (Psalms 23:3). And the works of holiness, work of righteousness (Psalms 15:2;…

He may say to the promises, you are the true and faithful sayings of God, my unbelief did belie you; I said in my haste you were liars, but I eat my words, I am ashamed of my folly. Surely, O soul, there is yet hope in your end, you may be restored (Psalm 23:3). You may yet reco…

Who but the quiet man that needs not go abroad for satisfaction, but having Christ dwelling in his heart by faith, has in him that peace, which the world can neither give, nor take away: while those that are fretful and passionate, rise up early, and sit up late, and eat the bre…

For the first, the presence of God, that glorious presence that the Saints shal have of God in Heaven, is a great part of their happiness: Heaven, it were not Heaven without the presence of God: The presence of God in the most miserable place that can be, were a greater happines…

The whole rise of it is from this love of God, flowing out by the ways there described. To assure us of his love, there is not anything that has a loving and tender nature in the world which God has not compared himself to — as a father, a mother, a shepherd, a hen over her chic…

Not that we are able upon any rational consideration, deduction, or conclusion that we can make from the things mentioned, to affect our hearts with the joy and gladness intended: it is left no less the proper work of the Spirit to do it from this and by the intervenience of the…

But this truth hangs not on such weak notions as are often used, either for or against it. In that prophecy (Ezekiel 34:16): I will seek, and bring again, etc., and (Psalm 23:3): He restores, or returns, my soul. And that this is the work of this Shepherd the Lord Jesus, God-man…

Seek to have the Lord in your hearts, and sanctify him there — he shall make them strong, and carry them through all dangers. Though I walk, says David, through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no ill, for you are with me (Psalm 23); so also Psalm 27:1. What is it…

For he is my God. And elsewhere, reasoning with himself (Psalm 23:1), "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want" — first, his covenant interest is built, and then conclusions of hope. So (2 Samuel 30:6), David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

For those whose condition was such that they often enjoyed neither the light of the moon nor of the sun, but lived a miserable life immersed in the deepest shadows of death — God nevertheless miraculously rescued them from those distresses at last. And there is no doubt that Dav…

Here let it come home to me, for my comfort and deliverance. David elsewhere says (Psalm 23:6), mercy and goodness shall follow me all my days; go after him, find him out in his wanderings. So (Psalm 116:12), what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits toward me?

2. Get a covenant interest in him, if our interest be clouded, how can we put promises in suit, but when it is clear you may draw comfortable conclusions from there (Psalm 31:14): I trusted in you, O Lord, I said you are my God. Psalm 23:1: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not w…

Now if God be with us, why should we be afraid? (Psalm 23:4): When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid, for you are with me: and in many other places. We see in the body, if any member be hurt, there presently runs the blood to comfort the woun…

The use is to press us to take this course as one remedy to comfort us in our distresses. In distresses of conscience the blood of Christ is the only cure; but in temptations arising from the scorn and insultation of enemies, remember what God has done for his people of old, and…

If these things could fill up your affections, they bear no proportion with conscience, your sore will run upon you, and your inward griefs will not be cured. But this is such a portion, that besides internal grace, there shall be a competent measure of outward things; God will…

His eternal love is assigned as the cause of all. (Psalm 23:3) He leads us in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Thirdly, what should be the grounds and impelling principle of prayer.

(Job 13:15) "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." And (Psalm 23:4) "Indeed, 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." Many of his children are reduced to great straits; the…

(Hebrews 6:17-18): Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge…

3. You that are a Saint, have a friend in heaven which you cannot lose: The Jews have a saying at their Funerals, Let your consolation be in heaven. Are you a close Mourner, look up to heaven, and fetch comfort thence, your best kindred are above, Psalm 27. 10, When my Father an…

And the same thing does Augustine teach, not darkly, though briefly, where he thus says: The goodwill of man goes before many gifts of God, but not before all. But of them which it goes before, it itself is one, then follows his reason: because it is written: His mercy has preve…

Yet if he could have helped it, he would not have done it; but he had not the discretion either to stop his ears, or to know from where these blasphemies came. When Christian had travelled in this disconsolate condition some considerable time, he thought he heard the voice of a…

Only they considered again, that nature is not affected with the harms that others have met with, especially if that thing upon which they look has an attracting virtue upon the foolish eye. I saw now, that they went on till they came to the river that was on this side of the De…

Two faiths are a double breastwork against the forts of Hell. 3. In the greatest extremity believe, even as David in the borders of Hell (Psalm 23:4): Indeed though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; it's a litote, I will believe good. It's a…

So this woman had no comfort, nor ground of sense of comfort from Christ, except rough answers and reproaches, yet she believes, and so must be strong in the faith (Psalm 3:6). David's faith stands straight without a crook, when ten thousand deaths are round about him, and (Psal…

The psalmist also speaks of very much such an effect as I have often seen on persons under religious affections of late (Psalm 119:131): "I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for your commandments." God is pleased sometimes in dealing forth spiritual blessings to his peopl…