We attribute the office of pastor to God only with due and legitimate honor, when we are convinced that his exclusive providence is sufficient to meet all our needs.
? Jean Calvin
- Jehovah is my Shepherd.
- Although God.
- By his blessings.
- Draws us with goodness to him.
- As by the taste of his fatherly sweetness.
- There is nothing we fall into more easily than forgetting him.
- When we enjoy peace and comfort.
- Yes.
- Prosperity not only intoxicates many.
- Pushing them beyond the limits of their youth.
- But it also breeds insolence.
- Causing them to stand up proud and oppose God.
- Therefore.
- There is scarcely a hundredth of those who enjoy in abundance the excellent things of God and keep fear and live in the exercise of humility and temperance.
- Which are so laudable.
- Therefore.
- We must observe with the greatest possible attention the example that David gave us.
- Who.
- Elevated to the dignity of sovereign power.
- Surrounded himself with the splendor of riches and honors.
- Possessing the greatest abundance of ‘excellent temporal things.
- And amid princely pleasures.
- She testifies not only that he was the object of God’s attention.
- But.
- Evoking the memory of the blessings that God had bestowed upon him.
- In fact.
- Of the stages by which he was able to approach him.
- With this.
- He not only restrains the depravity of his flesh.
- But also encourages gratitude with a more intense concern.
- As well as other exercises of piety.
- As shown in the final phrase of the Psalm.
- Where it is said:? Long days.
- ? Likewise.
- In Psalm 18.
- Which was composed at a time in his life in which he was applauded by all.
- Calling himself a servant of God.
- He showed the humility and simplicity of heart to which he had arrived.
- And at the same time.
- In public.
- He showed his gratitude by applying himself to the celebration of divine praise.
Like a shepherd, he praises the care that God, in His providence, had taken for him. His language implies that God cared for him no less than a shepherd cared for sheep under his responsibility. God, in Scripture, often takes his name and assumes the character of a shepherd, and this is by no means the emblem of a fragile love for us. Since it is a familiar and unassuming form of expression, he who deigns to descend so low for our sake certainly has a singularly strong affection for us. Therefore, it is not surprising that when he invites us to him with such gentleness and familiarity, we do not allow ourselves to be attracted or fascinated by him so that we can rest in safety and peace in his care. It should be noted, however, that God is shepherd only in relation to those who, touched by the feeling of their own fragility and poverty, feel dependent on his protection, and who spontaneously inhabit his fold and allow themselves to be governed by him. . David, who has exceeded both his power and his wealth, nevertheless frankly admits that he is but a poor sheep, to make God his shepherd. Who among us would be exempt from such need, since our own frailty abundantly reveals that we would be more than miserable if we did not live under the protection of this shepherd? Therefore, let us bear in mind that our happiness consists in this: that his hand reaches out to govern us, that we can live in his shadow and that his providence can remain awake and preserve our well-being. So even though we have a lot of all good and temporary things, let’s make sure that we can only be truly happy if God deigns to include us on His flock list. Furthermore, we only assign the office of pastor to God with due and legitimate honor, when we are convinced that his exclusive providence is sufficient to meet all our needs.
By Joo Calvino, Commentary on the Psalms, Vol. 1 (S. o José dos Campos, SP: Fiel), p. 458-459. ? © Faithful to the Department. All rights reserved. Website: ministeriofiel. com. br/bibliotecajoaocalvino. Original: Is the Lord my shepherd? Calvin’s Commentary on Psalm 23
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