[0:00] Seeking the Lord's help and blessing, let us turn to Psalm 23. Psalm 23, and we'll read at the beginning.
[0:16] The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. We'll focus especially on the first part of verse 1. The Lord is my shepherd.
[0:28] I suppose that this psalm is a very familiar psalm with most of us, if not the most familiar portion of scripture that we know.
[0:42] And that for the simple fact that we were all taught the psalm from a very young age, and probably was the first portion of scripture that we committed to memory.
[0:55] It is a psalm that is often sung at marriages and at funerals, when many people take the words upon their lips and get there quite ignorant of the shepherd of the psalm.
[1:10] They sing the psalm and yet they do not know its content by experience. A psalm which has often been preached upon and much written about.
[1:23] And tonight we do confess that probably we are not going to say anything new to you that you have not heard before about this psalm. But it is always good for us to reflect and to remind ourselves that the word of God is new to us every day.
[1:43] We are immediately told at the beginning of the psalm that the writer is David, who himself was a shepherd tending to his father's flock.
[1:55] It may have been that while he was sitting down one day watching his sheep, that he wrote this psalm. Now scripture gives the title to David, not only in the sense of looking after sheep, but scripture gives him this title as he was to become king over Israel.
[2:18] In 2 Samuel chapter 5 and the first two verses we read then that all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, Behold, we are your bone and flesh.
[2:33] In time past when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, you shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.
[2:51] David was taken from tending his sheep to be shepherd over Israel. And that is shown for us by the psalm that we have already sung this evening, Psalm 78, where we read that he chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds.
[3:12] From following the nursing ewes, he brought him to shepherd Jacob, his people, Israel, his inheritance. With a bright heart he shepherded them and guided them with a skilful hand.
[3:24] So this psalm is written by someone who knew the skills of shepherding. However, David confesses that he himself is in need of shepherding.
[3:40] And that he has found one that can truly shepherd him. For he says, the Lord is my shepherd. Or Jehovah is my shepherd.
[3:54] Shepherd. Now the theme of God, of Jehovah shepherding his people, is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. When Jacob came to bless the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, he used these words.
[4:12] And he blessed Joseph and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked. The God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.
[4:25] Again in Psalm 80. We have God taken before us as a shepherd. Give ear, O shepherd of Israel. You who lead Joseph like a flock.
[4:37] You who are enthroned upon the cherubim. Shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might and come to save us. But not only do we have this theme given to us in the book of Psalms.
[4:52] We have also that theme given to us in the prophets. And there is the well-known text of Isaiah 40. Where the prophet is showing forth the greatness of God.
[5:04] And he says he will tend his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arms. He will carry them in his bosom. And gently lead those that are with young.
[5:18] And of course when we come to the New Testament. Jesus himself refers to himself as the good shepherd. Who lays down his life for his sheep.
[5:31] However this evening I would like for a moment. To stop and see the significance of where Psalm 23 is placed. Obviously Psalm 23 comes between Psalm 22 and 24.
[5:47] That we have read this evening. Psalm 22 as we know is the psalm of the cross. A psalm that brings before us the sufferings of Christ.
[6:03] The Psalm 24 is a psalm of triumph and coronation. And between them we find this Psalm 23. The psalm of the pilgrim's journey along with the shepherd.
[6:18] Until finally they are in God's house. One commented he writes that Psalm 22 reveals the good shepherd away from home.
[6:30] Psalm 23 the great shepherd bringing home. And Psalm 24 the chief shepherd at home. At the very outset of the psalm he brings before us this intimate relationship.
[6:46] That exists between the shepherd Jehovah and himself. The Lord is my shepherd.
[6:58] Now without that special relationship existing. The rest of the psalm would make absolutely no sense whatsoever.
[7:11] The psalm makes sense because of this relationship. That exists between the shepherd and the sheep.
[7:22] Now this special relationship between the shepherd and the sheep began with the shepherd himself. It began with Jehovah.
[7:35] He purposed according to the good pleasure of his will to elect and call a people who would constitute his special flock.
[7:45] In the parable of the lost sheep which we have in Luke 15. We read how the shepherd took the initiative to go and seek the sheep that was lost.
[7:59] The initiative to bring sinners to salvation began with Jehovah himself. It began with God himself.
[8:09] And the history of this world it all began when he came into the garden of Eden after Adam had sinned. And he said to Adam, Where art thou?
[8:23] If the Bible is about anything it's about Jesus Christ. The son of God. So many people get caught up with the intricate details.
[8:34] At the midst of the point that the Lord Jesus Christ is the chief subject. Of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation.
[8:45] It is all about Jesus Christ. It is all about God's redemptive plan. That plan that began in the covenant of redemption. Before the world wars.
[8:56] And revealed in the promise that was given to Adam in the garden of Eden. And it all is embodied in Jesus Christ. And his coming into the world. And it will all be completed.
[9:08] This plan of redemption will be completed in the return of Jesus Christ. Within the Godhead.
[9:19] The triune God. There was an agreement made. A plan was set forth of how salvation for the lost sheep could be achieved. And that agreement or plan we call the covenant of redemption.
[9:34] A covenant made between the three persons of the Godhead. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To effect our salvation. That would bring the lost sheep to come under his special purpose.
[9:48] Those who would receive the benefits of the covenant of grace. That he had towards the lost sheep. Where art thou?
[10:06] The voice of the shepherd. Coming to seek the lost sheep. And it is still the same voice that echoes down through the centuries.
[10:19] And even here this evening. There is the voice of the shepherd. Who is calling out to you and to me. Where art thou? Where art thou?
[10:32] And I believe that Adam was the first sheep that he found. And that it was the first sheep that he brought within the fold of faith.
[10:45] And the evidence is the name that he gave to the woman that was given to him. Because it was after the promise was given. That Adam gave a name to the woman.
[10:56] And he called her name Eve. The one through whom life was going to come. And he named her by faith.
[11:08] Faith resting on the promise of God. However, although Abraham, I believe, was the first sheep that the shepherd found.
[11:20] And brought within the fold of faith. Abel, Adam's son, was the first sheep. To be brought into God's house.
[11:35] Now this very title. Or the name Jehovah. It brings before us the covenant name of the triune God. Jehovah.
[11:46] The covenant name of the triune God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So that at the very commencement of the psalm. David is telling us that this is a covenant relationship.
[11:59] The Lord is my shepherd. You'll notice here in our version that the word Lord is in capitals. Which means that really it could also be translated Jehovah.
[12:10] Jehovah is my shepherd. And that's the covenant name of God. And so David is here telling us that he is brought into a covenant relationship with the shepherd.
[12:23] A covenant relationship with the Lord. Jehovah, the covenant God, is my shepherd. And in this covenant it was agreed that the father would send the son as his shepherd to seek and to save the lost sheep.
[12:42] So the shepherd concept becomes a messianic title. A title that has a special reference to the son of God. To Jesus Christ.
[12:53] That's how he could say himself. I am the good shepherd. And we noted last Sabbath evening the significance of that word.
[13:04] I am. And Jesus brings himself to say. I am the good shepherd. And in this sense.
[13:17] This special relationship that exists between the father and the son. The father can look upon the son and say. He is my shepherd.
[13:31] I have given him my son this role. And he has willingly undertaken this role in the covenant of redemption. This is a role that I have given to my son.
[13:43] In the covenant of redemption. He is my shepherd. Therefore God can speak in Zechariah. In this fashion. Awake. And I will turn my sword against my shepherd.
[13:55] Against the man who stands next to me. Declares the Lord of hosts. Strike the shepherd. And the sheep will be scattered. I will turn my hand against the little ones.
[14:07] Words which were fulfilled in Jesus. As he reminds his disciples. As they left the upper room. And made their way to the Mount of Olives. After they had sung a hymn. And they went out to the Mount of Olives.
[14:18] Then Jesus said to them. You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written. I will smite this shepherd. And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.
[14:28] A reference there. To Zechariah chapter 13 verse 7. Jehovah is my shepherd.
[14:40] Thus David's shepherd was God the father who had chosen his flock sovereignly in his beloved son. Before the foundation of the world. God the Holy Spirit who brings all the chosen into the flock at the appointed time.
[14:55] And God the son who has paid the ransom price for the flock. So it is Jehovah the triune God is my shepherd.
[15:07] Each person of the Godhead had his personal role in the salvation of the sheep. As we said.
[15:18] God the father chose the flock sovereignly. In his beloved son before the foundation of the world. And God the Holy Spirit brings all the chosen into the flock at the appointed time.
[15:31] He brings them into the fold of faith. At the appointed time. And it is God the son who has paid the ransom price for the flock.
[15:43] Jehovah is my shepherd. The triune God is my shepherd. The covenant God is my shepherd.
[15:55] The New Testament describes her as the threefold shepherd ministry of Jesus Christ. In John 10 verse 11.
[16:07] We have already noted where Jesus calls himself the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
[16:18] He is the good shepherd who pays the ransom price. By laying down his life for his flock. But in Hebrews chapter 13.
[16:29] Christ is entitled there as the great shepherd of the sheep. Through being brought back again from the dead. He is not only the good shepherd.
[16:41] But he is the great shepherd. By his resurrection. But in 1 Peter 5 verse 4. The Lord is designated as the chief shepherd.
[16:54] With reference there to his second coming. When he shall give to his own a crown of glory. That fadeth not away. So Jesus is brought before us in the New Testament.
[17:04] As the good shepherd. The great shepherd. And the chief shepherd. Now I know that the psalm is about the perspective of the sheep upon the shepherd.
[17:20] But let us consider the relationship between the shepherd and his flock. The sheep is precious to the shepherd.
[17:30] Because they are the father's gift to him. Thine they were. And thou gavest them to me.
[17:43] And so the sheep are precious in the eyes of the shepherd. Because they are the father's gift to him. They belong to the shepherd.
[17:56] As the father's gift. And he is always mindful of that very fact. Father I will. That those whom thou hast given me. Be with me where I am.
[18:09] For we are elected or chosen in him. In the beloved. That is Christ. And at the very heart of the electing love of God. Tows the lost sheep. Was his beloved son.
[18:21] At the very heart of giving them to his son. Was his love to the son. He loved his son. And he gave his son this flock.
[18:32] He gave his son this gift. In expressing his love to the son. He gave him a flock. Which no man can number. In order to shepherd them.
[18:43] And to bring them home. The gift is a marvel in itself. For where do we find the sheep. That are given to him.
[18:54] Well they are astray. And they are lost. That familiar chapter in Isaiah says. All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way.
[19:07] To go astray is to wander away. To depart. To move away from something. And this indeed speaks of our original sin in Adam.
[19:18] Who as our covenant head or representative. Failed to keep the commandment of God. And sinned against God. And we fell with him in his first sin. We partook of his guilt.
[19:30] Therefore we are constituted as sinners. Or as lost sheep. There is where we are. We are lost sheep.
[19:40] And as a result of that every day and continually. We break God's law. And we increase our debt. That is what we call actual sin.
[19:52] Our actual sins flow from our original sin. Our original sin in Adam. But from that sin flows our actual sins.
[20:04] And this leaves us guilty before God. It leaves us liable to punishment. It leaves us exposed to God's judgment. That is where we were.
[20:15] And such was the father's gift to the son. Therefore this gift on the part of the son. Is the love gift of the father.
[20:29] But on the part of the sheep. It is an act of grace. The demonstration of his love to us. In giving us to his son.
[20:40] In order to shepherd us. And to bring us home. Is always a demonstration of his grace. It is always the undeserving favor of God.
[20:52] The gift on the part of the father. That he gave to the son. Is a love gift. But on the part of the sheep. It was an act of grace.
[21:04] An act of grace. The sheep belongs to the shepherd. In covenant love. As the father's love gift. But also. As his own covenant purchase.
[21:18] As the sheep were guilty. Before God. Liable to punishment. And exposed. To God's judgment. The sheep had to redeem them.
[21:30] By paying. The ransom. Price. So. That the sheep. They are. The love gift. Of. The father. To the son.
[21:41] The father. In his love. Gave them. To. His son. But where were the sheep. They were lost. They were astray. They had. Wandered.
[21:52] Away. They were guilty. Before God. Liable to punishment. Exposed. To God's judgment. And therefore.
[22:03] They had to be purchased. Or redeemed. And so. The shepherd comes. And he finds the sheep. Guilty before God. He finds the sheep.
[22:14] Liable to punishment. He finds the sheep. Exposed. To God's judgment. He finds that there is to be. A ransom price. Paid. That they have to be. Redeemed.
[22:25] They have to be. Delivered. And the shepherd comes. To redeem them. To purchase them. By paying. The ransom price.
[22:36] What was the ransom price. That the shepherd. Had to pay. Peter says. You were not redeemed. With corruptible things. Such as silver and gold.
[22:48] But with the precious blood of Christ. In other words. The laying down of his life. As a sacrifice to God. Was the ransom price. That he had to pay.
[22:59] In order to deliver. His sheep. Or in order to redeem. His sheep. And in order to pay.
[23:10] This ransom price. It meant that the shepherd. Had to take upon himself. The nature. Of his sheep. He had to.
[23:22] Humble himself. And take on the nature. Of the ones. That he came. To redeem. His sheep. Whatever knowledge. Whatever knowledge. That we may have. Of sheep.
[23:33] Those who shepherd sheep. Whatever knowledge. You have. There is one thing. That you can never do. And that's take on. The nature of the sheep. But here is our Jehovah shepherd.
[23:45] Here is our great shepherd. Here is our chief shepherd. And what does he do? He takes upon himself. The nature. Of his sheep. He came. To redeem.
[23:55] His sheep. And he takes on. Their nature. He takes on. Our humanity.
[24:06] Takes on our humanity. Doesn't. Paul. Speak of that. In his. Letter. To. The Philippians. And.
[24:18] In chapter 2. He says. Who have been in the form of God. Thought it not properly. To be equal. With God. But made himself. Of no reputation.
[24:29] And took upon him. The form of a servant. And was made. In the likeness of men. And been found. In fashion. As a man. He humbled himself. And became obedient.
[24:41] Unto death. Even. The death. Of. The cross. The word. Was made.
[24:52] Flesh. God. God. God. Manifest. In the flesh. God. Incarnate. The babe. That was. Wrapped.
[25:02] In swartling clothes. That laid in a manger. Was none other. Than. The covenant. Shepherd. The son of God.
[25:14] The ransom. Price. Who was there. In the manger. Wrapped. In swartling clothes. It was the covenant shepherd. Who was he? He was the son of God.
[25:25] Who was he? He was. The ransom price. And to pay that ransom price. It meant for the shepherd. That he had to learn obedience.
[25:36] By the things which he suffered. He had to become obedient. Unto. Death. Death. Even the death of the cross. Even the cursed death. Of the cross.
[25:48] For this reason. He says. The father loves me. Because I lay down my life. That I may take it again. No one takes it from me. But I lay down of myself. I have authority to lay it down.
[26:00] And I have authority to take it up again. This commandment. Or this charge. I have received from my father. Or to pay the ransom price.
[26:11] Meant that he had to meet. With what the sheep deserved. He comes to where we are. Our sins were laid upon him.
[26:22] And what our sins deserved. Were laid upon him. And he dies. God lays on the shepherd. The guilt of the sins. That we have committed.
[26:33] And therefore. Measured upon him. As a punishment. Demanded by our guilt. For our sake. He made him. To be sin. Who knew.
[26:44] No sin. The suffering was awful. So terrible. Because he was sparing the punishment. Of the sins. Of his sheep. Of his flock. Of his elect people.
[26:56] The Bible tells us. That he was stricken. That he was smitten. That he was afflicted. That he was wounded. That he was bruised. That he was beaten. Or just dies.
[27:07] And all this. He suffered for his flock. What a shepherd. What a great shepherd. What a loving shepherd.
[27:18] Jesus is. That he exposed himself. To be stricken. Smitten. Afflicted. Wounded. Bruised.
[27:29] Beaten. That he suffered all that. For his chosen sheep. And the worst aspect. Of his suffering. Is not the physical suffering. Which he endured.
[27:39] At the hands of men. That we have just spoken of. But those that he suffered. At the hands. Of his father. Those that he suffered. At the hands of God. God was the one.
[27:50] Who put him to grief. Not Pilate. Not Jews. Not the crowds. Or the Roman soldiers. But God put him. To grief. As he laid upon him.
[28:02] The sins. Of the sheep. And this was all part. Of the ransom price. The shepherd. Bore their punishment.
[28:13] He dies for them. And he's buried for them. And he rose again. For them. And he ascended. To the right hand. Of the father. From them. And he is going.
[28:25] To return again. For them. In the meantime. He is preparing. A place for them. In my father's house.
[28:35] And many mansions. Or many rooms. If it were not so. I would have told you. I go to prepare. A place for you. And if I go. And prepare a place. For you. I will come again.
[28:46] And will take you. To myself. That where I am. There. Ye may. Be also. In my father's house. There are many rooms.
[28:57] If it were not so. I would have told you. I go to prepare. A place. For you. And truly. This can be. A reference. To the cross. Because when he.
[29:08] Spoke these words. He was. Making his way. To the cross. Of Golgotha. I am going. To prepare. A place. For you. I am going. To the cross. And I am going.
[29:18] To die. And I am going. To be buried. And I am going. To rise again. From the dead. I am going. To prepare. A place. For you. And if I prepare.
[29:30] A place. For you. I will come. Again. Again. And Jesus. Went to the cross. Of Golgotha. And there. He prepared. A place. For his chosen sheep.
[29:42] And even the cross. Of Golgotha. Is assurance. For us. That he. Will come. Again. He is going.
[29:53] He is going. To return. For us. By the cross. Or through the cross. And he has said. If I go. And prepare. A place. For us. I will come. Again.
[30:04] He is going. To return. And the cross. Is assurance. To us. That he will return. And he says. And I will take you. To myself. And where I am.
[30:15] That you will be there. Also. He is going. To return. Not to offer himself. Again. Upon a cross. Not to offer himself. Again. As a sacrifice.
[30:25] For sin. But he is coming. To and gather. His flock. In body. And in soul. And to present them. To his father.
[30:40] When he will say. To his father. There they are. That's the gift. That you gave. To me. Out of your love. That's the gift. That I promised. That I promised. To redeem.
[30:51] Yes. They were lost. Yes. They had wandered away. Yes. They were in the fearful pit. But I came. And I redeemed them.
[31:04] And now. I am bringing them. In body and soul. I am bringing them. To you. And none of them. Is lost. Not one of those.
[31:14] That you gave me. In the covenant. Of redemption. Is lost. Yes. Yes. They may have. Wandered away. They may have. Backslidden. They may have. Wandered away.
[31:25] Far from the flock. Far from the way. But I have. Gathered them all. I have redeemed them. And I have gathered them. And now. I present them.
[31:37] To you. Oh. In my father's house. Are many rooms. Many mansions. If it were not so. I would have told you. I go to prepare a place.
[31:48] For you. And if I go and prepare a place. For you. I will come again. And I will take it to myself.
[31:59] That where I am. There ye may. Be also. The shepherd. The shepherd who laid down his life. For his sheep. Has become. Unseparable.
[32:11] From them. They cannot be. Separated. The shepherd. And his flock. His very identity. Is bound up with them.
[32:21] As a writer to the Hebrew. Reminds us. That he is touched. Not merely. By. But with. The feelings. Of our infirmities.
[32:33] He is not touched. By the feelings. But with our feelings. Of infirmities. He has a shepherd's heart. That is continually. Filled.
[32:43] With love. Towards his sheep. As he took the nature. Of the sheep. In his incarnation. He hasn't abandoned it. In his glorification. He is.
[32:55] As a lamb. In the midst of the throne. And as such. He will lead us. To the living fowdance. Of water. Most of us.
[33:06] Will have memorized. The entire. Twenty third psalm. But friends. I ask you. In earnest seriousness. Do you know. By experience. This first line. Of the psalm.
[33:16] Which reads. The Lord is. My shepherd. To know. The shepherd. Is. Eternal life. Is Christ. Your shepherd.
[33:27] Do you. Belong. To him. Can you. Say. With your whole heart. And by experience. With David. The Lord. The Lord. Is. My shepherd.
[33:38] You know. Personal pronouns. Are. So important. When we begin. To think. Of our. Relationship. With God. Here. David. Stresses.
[33:48] His. His relationship. With the shepherd. He says. He is mine. The Lord. Is. My shepherd. He. Is. Mine. And there is.
[33:59] An obvious sense. In which. He is also saying. And I. Am his. He is mine. And I. Am his. Like the church.
[34:09] In the song. That cries out. My beloved. Is mine. And I. Am his. In us.
[34:22] There is no. Possibility. Of being saved. From what our sins. Desire. For we are all. Like foolish sheep. That have gone astray. In Adam. And continually.
[34:33] Go astray. Each turning. His own way. But with God. And in God. What we have made. Impossible. God.
[34:44] Has made. Possible. But we. Told us. Under. God. And Christ. Can bring it.
[34:54] Together. God. And Christ. Can restore it. God. Was. In Christ. Reconciling. The world. Unto. Himself.
[35:07] As the redeeming. Shepherd. He. Humbled. Himself. And came. Into this. World. Of pain. Of grief. And suffering. He willingly. Gave his back.
[35:17] To the smiters. But his. Thirty-three years. Of suffering. Was only. An introduction. To the last week. Of his. Spiritual. And physical. Sufferings. But he suffered.
[35:27] Not only. At the hand. Of the cruel men. But at the hand. Of the. Invisible God. You see. There was an. Invisible hand. There. At Golgotha.
[35:38] The hand. Of his own father. As judge. For he heard. The awful summons. Of his own father. Saying. Awake.
[35:49] O sword. Against my shepherd. Against the man. Who stands. Next to me. And in which the son.
[36:01] Uttered. Or echoed. These words. My God. My God. Why. Hast thou forsaken me.
[36:13] The shepherd. Was let. As a sheep. Before her shears. Is dumb. So he opened. Not. His mouth. O the shepherd's love. That he. As a redeeming.
[36:24] And a purchasing shepherd. Was willing to bear. For the sins. Of his flock. Desire. To bring. The satisfaction. Of God's justice. To the very end.
[36:35] Having loved. His own. Which were in the world. He loved them. To the end. He drained. The dregs. Of the bottomless. Rough. Cup. Of God.
[36:46] To make available. For his sheep. The cup. Of salvation. He drank. The cup. To the very bottom. The cup. Of God's wrath. Against our sin. And then he gave.
[36:59] Into our hands. The cup. Of salvation. He took. Our damnation. And he exhausted. That damnation. The shepherd.
[37:10] Died. The curse. Death. So that the sheep. Might live. And you may ask. Well. Has his love. Lessened.
[37:22] No. He loved his sheep. With an everlasting love. His love. Is like himself. Infinite. Infinite.
[37:34] For God. Is. Love. The infinite. God. Is. Love. Oh. What bound. The shepherd. To the cross. Was it the nails.
[37:46] Oh no. He was bound. By his love. For them. So that they. Might be set free. What bound him. To the cross. Of Golgotha. He could have taken.
[37:57] And torn. The nails. Asunder. If he wished. He had the power. To do that. He had the power. To come down. From the cross. What nailed him.
[38:08] To the cross. What kept him. Bound. To the cross. Of Golgotha. Was his love. For his sheep. His love. For lost sinners. His love. For me.
[38:18] And you. That kept him. Bound. To the cross. Of Golgotha. He was condemned. So that the sheep.
[38:29] Might be acquitted. Cursed. That they might be blessed. Rejected. That they might be accepted.
[38:40] See the blessing. What was true of the shepherd. It was true. That he was cursed. That he was condemned. That he was rejected.
[38:51] And why? So that I and you. Could be blessed. That I and you. Could be acquitted. That I and you. Would be accepted. Jehovah.
[39:03] Is my shepherd. Now as you go out. Into the hostile world. What have you to do? Well stay close. By the shepherd.
[39:15] Hear his word. In reading. And in preaching. Speak to the shepherd. In prayer. In prayer. Stay close.
[39:26] In fellowship. With the rest. Of the flock. That's important. For the sheep. That as they go out. Into a hostile environment.
[39:37] In an environment. That has so many things. To entice. And to draw them away. That they stay close. By the shepherd. That they hear.
[39:49] Hear his word. In reading. And pray. Hear his word. In the preaching. Of the gospel. Important. That you speak. To the shepherd. In personal prayer.
[40:01] That you stay close. In fellowship. With the rest. Of the flock. We can sum it all up. In the words. Of the church. In the song. Remember these words. Tell me.
[40:12] You who my soul loves. Will you pasture. Your flock. Will you make it. Them to lie down. At noon. For why should I be. As one.
[40:23] Who has turned aside. Why should I be. As one. Who veils himself. Or herself. Beside the flock. Of your companions. To which the shepherd.
[40:33] Says. If you do not know. Oh. Thou fairest among women. Follow. In the footsteps. Of the flock. Or as the ESV has it.
[40:45] If you do not know. Oh. Most beautiful among women. Follow. In the tracks. Of the flock. And pasture. Your young goats. Beside. The shepherd's tents. To be in fellowship.
[40:58] With the rest. Of the flock. And you know. That is where. There is. Safety. A sheep on her own. Is never safe.
[41:09] A sheep among the flock. Is far safer. Than a sheep. Who is. Who isolates. Herself. Away from the flock. It's not a very good sign. At all. Leaving.
[41:21] Herself. Exposed. It is. To be in fellowship. With the flock. And as that's true. Of the. Natural. Sheep. But it's true. Of the spiritual. Sheep. As well.
[41:31] Of God's people. To be in fellowship. One with another. To follow. In the footsteps. Of each other. Oh.
[41:43] You might say. Tonight. Oh. My heart. I am so sinful. How often. I have wandered away. How often. I thought. That the great grass.
[41:53] Was greener. On the other side. Maybe. You went. To taste it. And you found. It not so good. After all. And you might. Be saying.
[42:04] Tonight. What shall I do? Well. Hear the words. To the shepherd. Oh. Israel. Return. To the Lord. Thy God. For thou hast fallen. By thine iniquity.
[42:15] Take with you words. And turn to the Lord. Say unto him. Take away all iniquity. And receive us graciously. So we will run. To the calves. Of our lips. I will heal.
[42:27] Their backsliding. I will learn. Them freely. For mine anger. Is turned away. From him. I will be as a Jew. And to Israel. He shall grow. As a lily. And cast forth.
[42:37] His fruits. As Lebanon. His branches. Shall spread. And his beauty. Shall be as the olive trees. And his smell. As Lebanon. They that dwell under. His shadow.
[42:47] Shall return. They shall revive. As a corn. And grow as a vine. The scent thereof. Shall be. As a vine. Of Lebanon. You see. There is.
[42:58] The compassionate shepherd. The merciful shepherd. The Lord. Is my shepherd. Jehovah.
[43:09] Is my shepherd. Can you. Say. And take these words. Upon your lips. Tonight. And say. The Lord. Is my shepherd. Jehovah.
[43:22] Is my shepherd. May the Lord bless. Your thoughts. Let us pray.