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Article by Jack Wellman
Jack Wellman is a father and grandfather and a Christian author, freelance writer, and Prison Minister. Graduate work at Moody Bible Institute. His books are inexpensive paperbacks that are theological in nature: “Teaching Children The Gospel/How to Raise Godly Children,“ “Do Babies Go To Heaven?/Why Does God Allow Suffering?,“ "The Great Omission; Reaching the Lost for Christ," and “Blind Chance or Intelligent Design?, Empirical Methodologies & the Bible."
Jack has written 1030 articles on What Christians Want To Know! Read them in the archive below.
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Thank-you Pastor Jack, well said! I so enjoy reading what God has given you about His word. I always loved that psalm, its sad that its usually only read at funerals, because it has soo much to offer about living, living His life, the life He gave us! There is so much comfort in it, and you can see how much He truly loves us through the complete care it talks about. Thanks again for your obedience to Him in your service, God Bless.
Thank you so much Paul. When I began to study this Psalm closer, it just amazed me at how amazing God is as our Great Shepherd. Thank you so much sir.
this article really helped me to understand Psalms 23 . i have a new out look on the meaning of this .
I too didn’t really know the 23rd Psalm like I thought I did but when I started seeing the symbolism of it, my eyes went wide open. What a great and love Shepherd we serve, don’t we. Thank you for your most kind words.
Hi Jack,
Love the way you broke down Psalm 23, one of my favorites. How true, we should want nothing else., great reminder, needed that one today. Jack, as always, a great read. ,
Linda.
Thank you so kindly Linda. What gracious words you wrote. I loved this Psalm and gave it as a Weds Night Bible Study at the nursing home and they loved it. Isn’t our God and awesome God?!
So relevant for today Jack. Psalm 23 is so much more than that Psalm that they read at funerals. Thank you for your exposition. It was very enlightening. You are correct: “The symbolism of the 23rd Psalm has much more meaning to us today than we might imagine that it did in David’s day…”
Well done brother!
I love this article Jack! Your breadth of knowledge is helping many, including myself, to understand things of the Bible more clearly. I truly have been blessed by this article because I always thought of this as a “funeral” Psalm. It is far from it. It is a “Living” Psalm for all of us. Thank you brother; job well done!
Today, I have understood PSALMS 23 better than ever before.David resonating his experience as a shepherd likening it to the Lord and his people is a great piece of educative scripture in the form of art. Thank you Jack.
I have understood Psalms 23 much better today than ever before. What a very befitting comparison derived from his experience as a shepherd to God and his people. Well illustrated Jack and thank you very much.
Thank you Alfred for your very kind words. I can only say that the Holy Spirit has revealed what I could not on my own and so all glory and honor and praise belong to our God and to Him alone.
Agree with Linda above (Feb. 3, 2013) You did a superb job at explaining Psalms 23, Pastor Jack!
Always yours in Christ, Jesus….Patty
Thanks for this helpful article on a great psalm. We had a sermon on this in our church a few weeks ago and the preacher caused a little controversy with his take on who the enemies were in verse 5. Just wondered what you would say on this point?
Great question Mr. Harris. Thank you sir for your comment and question. I believe that our enemies are the Devil himself and his dominions (fallen angels or demons). We also have worldly enemies of the cross who attack the divinity of Jesus. I am not sure exactly who the enemies of David were but I know that his enemies were Saul and his troops who were trying to kill him to keep Saul as the king. Is this what your pastor said sir?
Well, not quite. I have always thought that given that this psalm is about God’s gracious provision and the security we have in being His sheep, that the enemies would be, as you suggest, Satan and his evil forces. But this does raise an interesting thought of whether we could be able to be entirely comfortable with the enemy “crouching near”. And, at the wedding feast of the Lamb, surely Satan will have been banished and no longer a threat. Our preacher said that the enemies which might be present even though bound and defeated could be our fears, anxieties etc. which in this life can destroy our peace. I thought this was an interesting take which actually our pastor (not the preacher) did not agree with. Well, I think maybe we should just rejoice that whatever may be the truth here, we shall be safe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your comments. With every blessing.
Well said Mr. Harris. I see your point and it is well taken. Today we can only see thru the glass darkly and I love your conclusion that we should simply rejoice that whatever may be the truth…we shall be safe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen to that sir! Outstanding. You are spot on the mark Mr. Harris. Your words are a blessing to me and I thank God for you sir that you have a hunger and thirst for the knowledge of God.
THANKS SO MUCH for referring me to this article with Scriptures, Pastor Jack! (From your article on The Beatitudes?) Although my sister in Christ, Imelda, ‘condensed’ the meaning of Psalm 23, I truly appreciated this article more so!!
Actually, Pastor Jack, this is my 2nd. time commenting (from February 9, 2013.) While reading again, it DID strike me as being familiar. LOL! Then as I read all the comments and saw my comment, aha~! Hee-Hee!
ALL PRAISES, GLORY AND HONOR BE UNTO OUR FATHER GOD, HIS SON, JESUS, HIS HOLY SPIRIT!!!
Oodles of God’s blessings, Pastor Jack!
Always, your Sis in Christ Jesus ~ Patty
What is most amazing is that God can use a broken, empty vessel that like Gideon’s clay pots were broken and filled with light to win a great victory by a very small force….I see the analogy. The broken clay vessels would otherwise be rubbish so we must realize that God receives all glory for all we do. I do think its interesting and I did check out the icr article (which website is theologically rock solid…me? Not sure). Thanks for your encouragement sister. It has been a hard week. Another church discipline issue that is quite messy, I start another 7 week intensive at Moody Seminary, I have to work all week, and the church I pastor at needs much counseling…and so I am that broken vessel that is useless without His filling me up! Isn’t our God an awesome God? I stand amazed again and His power and timing …but what is time to God!?.
YES, OUR FATHER GOD IS AWESOME INDEED!!!
I like that analogy of Gideon’s broken clay pots, too! You know, Pastor Jack, with all you have to do (Whew~!), I can ‘hear’ the peace and joy within your heart.
I try to live each day according to God’s Will, God’s Plan, and God’s perfect Timing. That’s what gives us ‘peace & joy’ through His Son’s, Jesus, Holy Spirit! Right, Brother?
~ Patty ~