[Superscript: “The Deer of the Dawn” is regarded to be a well known tune.]
This is a Messianic Psalm, viewed by Christians as a prophetic writing of the crucifixion of Jesus. It is often called “The Psalm of the Cross”, as this poem gives greater details of the crucifixion than any of the gospels.
In verses 1-21, David details a time in his life where he is suffering deeply. But his suffering is overshadowed by the foreshadowing of the literal fulfillment of Jesus' Crucifixion. Transport yourself to the hills of Golgotha, to the foot of a cross upon which our Suffering Savior has been hanging for three hours.
Vs. 1 – We are familiar with these words quoted by Jesus on the cross in Matthew 27:46. Although these are the only words we are given in the NT, it is likely Jesus was referring to the entire psalm. The four gospels record the crucifixion from the viewpoint of witnesses. This Messianic Psalm reveals the crucifiixion from the viewpoint of Jesus. When the psalmist cries out to God, “Why are You so far from helping Me?”... I pray to never forget that those cries were for me. The Father was far away and silent for my sake... for my sinful self.
Vs. 19-21 – Jesus asks His Father to deliver Him from the “sword” and the “power of the dog”. The sword is likely a reference to the Roman government (Romans 13:4) and the dog refers to the Gentile soldiers (Matthew 15:21-28).
This psalm is quoted 24 times in the NT as a way to interpret and explain the crucifixion.
Here are a few illustrations...
The secret of a happy life—every need supplied.
Vs 1 – The Lord as SHEPHERD. A Good Shepherd always carries a rod and staff... to be used for both protection AND correction.
💛NUGGET: In verse 4, the psalmist switches to third person – from “He” to “You”. Significantly, he starts talking directly to the Lord in “the Valley of Darkness”.
Vs. 6 – “Forever” is literally “for length of days” in Hebrew. May also be interpreted as “all the days of my life” or “for days without end”.
💛NUGGET: In John 10:11, Jesus tells us that HE is the Good Shepherd. He went into the valley of death so that we could dwell with Him forever. He watches over us, even now. (John 10:11-15; Hebrews13:20; 1 Peter 2:2:25)
Though we do not know the original tune sung by the Jews, here is a recording of this beautiful psalm in Hebrew. Notice that the tempo changes during the "Valley of Darkness"...
VIDEO: Adonai Roi (Psalm 23) by Miqedem: https://youtu.be/zR5kZ6kiwYU
[Many think this psalm was written upon the occasion of the entrance of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem during the reign of David (2 Samuel 6). Other Biblical scholars interpret it as depicting the ascension of Jesus.]
This is a Psalm of Praise and Thanksgiving with the overall message that we should seek God during difficult times because He is our Creator, Redeemer and King.
Vs. 1 – God is designer, architect, builder, and OWNER of all the world and everything in it... including every single one of us knuckleheads who have ever lived on this big, wet ball.
Vs. 3-4 – These passages are very similar to Psalm 15 in their questioning of “Who is right with God?”. The worshippers would sing this song to humble themselves as they marched closer and closer to the temple. We could use a little humbling these days. Instead of asking “Who is right with God?” our favorite question seems to be “Who and what will make ME happy?”.
Vs. 7-10 – “Ancient rabbinical sources tell us that, in the Jewish liturgy, Psalm 24 was always used in worship on the first day of the week. The first day of the week is our Sunday. So, putting these facts together, we may assume that these were the words being recited by the temple priests at the very time the Lord Jesus Christ mounted a donkey and ascended the rocky approach to Jerusalem.” (Boice)
Vs. 7 of this psalm, “The King of Glory shall come in”, was fulfilled when:
- The ark of the covenant came to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:11-18)
- Jesus ascended and entered heaven (Acts 1:9-10)
- A believer recognizes Jesus as King (Ephesians 2:8; John 1:12)
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This psalm is an acrostic, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It has been described as a “potpourri of prayers”, mostly dealing with God's forgiveness.
Let's sing the first seven verses. 'Cause when in Psalms...
Vs. 1-3 – Prayer for Protection. David directed all his desires and prayers to God alone.
Vs. 4-5 – Prayer for Guidance. “I wait...”
Vs. 6-7 – Prayer for Forgiveness.
💛NUGGET: Notice the usage of “Remember / Do not remember / Remember” in vs. 6-7. “When God remembers his mercy, he forgets our sins.” (Horne)
Vs. 14 – “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him; and He will show them His covenant." The Hebrew word used here for “secret” is sod. It expresses the idea of “confidential” – something revealed by God only to those who “fear” Him (those who trust and are faithful to Him). This is the gift of spiritual discernment spoken of in 1 Corinthians 2:14: "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." (NIV)
Vs. 22 – The psalm begins as an individual lament and ends as a prayer for the nation.
LINK TO READING PLAN:
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