Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 21 NKJV, Ch. 22 GWT; Ch. KJV

Podcast Introduction

his the Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read Psalms 21 through the 23rd, plus we’ll share prayer requests and praises. I’m calling today’s episode “The Greatest Psalm.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Joel Holland on Unsplash

Comments on Psalms 22 and 23

The opening sentence of Chapter 22 probably sounded familiar to you. “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Jesus said them as He hung on the cross. And as you heard this chapter, you might have thought that this must be a prophetic look at the crucifixion. 

Well, I can definitely say that that is true. Maybe. You see, scholars through the centuries have differed on this point. Some have said that this is just a psalm by and about King David. Others have said that this is all about Jesus, and others say it’s primarily about David, but also, in  a secondary role, about Jesus. So since there is not a consensus, I don’t think we can get dogmatic about it. There certainly seems to be several images of Jesus, but some parts don’t seem to apply as much. So my advice is to read this psalm, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what He wants you to see. 

Psalm 23 is probably in the running for the most quoted portion in the entire Bible, the other being the Lord’s Prayer. 

I love the 23rd Psalm because it is so comforting. Don’t you think? I’m not going to do a deconstruction of it here, but this is a Psalm that one could meditate on for hours. For days. For a lifetime. I’ve been a believer since I was a teenager, and after all these years I still love spending time with this Psalm. I’m so thankful that the Holy Spirit inspired David to write this masterpiece. 

Commentator James Montgomery Boice wrote this, “Millions of people have memorized this psalm, even those who have learned few other Scripture portions. Ministers have used it to comfort people who are going through severe personal trials, suffering illness, or dying. For some, the words of this psalm have been the last they have ever uttered in life.”

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Transcript

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Psalms 21-23: The Greatest Psalm (LSFAB S13E053)

[TEASER - 0:00]It's obvious when reading it that he remembered his days as a shepherd boy.

[INTRO S13E053 - 0:12]This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, and podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we'll read through the entire Bible in a year and the website is at lifespringmedia.com. This is Psalms Wednesday, and we'll read Psalms 21 through the 23rd Psalm plus we'll share prayer requests and praises. I'm calling today's episode, "The Greatest Psalm", and as always, when we read the Psalms, I'll give you a brief introduction before I read each chapter.

Before we read, let's pray.

[OPENING PRAYER - 0:48]Our heavenly Father, as we open the Psalms today, I pray that you would touch our hearts and bless us as we read. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.

[INTRO TO PSALM 21 - 0:58]The title of Psalm 21 is "To the chief musician, a Psalm of David." As a reminder, it's thought that the chief musician is either God or one of the music leaders of the temple. This psalm seems to be a good follow-up to Psalm 20. In Psalm 20, the people of Israel, you might remember, prayed for David as he prepared to go into battle. In Psalm 21, the battle has been won, and David gives thanks to God. Commentator Alexander Maclaren wrote, "There [in Psalm 20] the people prayed for the king; here they give thanks for him: there they asked that his desires might be fulfill...