Psalms 23
The LORD, My Shepherd 1–6
Bible text: King James Version (1769 Blayney text) · Public domain
Study Notes for Psalms 23
Verse 1
my shepherd — Scripture's own title for the LORD, 'Shepherd of Israel' (Ps 80:1), made personal by David, who had kept his father's sheep (1 Sam 16:11). Christ takes it: 'I am the good shepherd' (John 10:11). 'Want' is chaser, to lack, the word of Deut 2:7, 'thou hast lacked nothing.'
Verse 2
still waters — Literally 'waters of rest' (menuchah), the word for the rest of the promised land (Deut 12:9) and for God's 'rest' in Ps 95:11. The flock lies down because it has been fed, as the LORD promises in Ezek 34:15, 'I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down.'
Verse 3
restoreth my soul — Shub, to turn back, the verb of return and repentance; the soul (nephesh, the whole living person) is brought back as a straying sheep is (Ps 119:176). The 'paths' (ma'gal) are tracks, and he leads in them 'for his name's sake', on the strength of his own name (Ps 31:3).
Verse 4
the shadow of death — One Hebrew word, tsalmaveth: the darkness of the wilderness Israel crossed (Jer 2:6) and of the land on which 'the light shined' (Isa 9:2), fulfilled in Galilee (Matt 4:16). The 'rod' (shebet) is the club that defends the flock; the 'staff' is the walking-stick that guides and supports it.
Verse 5
anointest my head — The verb is dashen, 'to make fat', not the anointing of priests and kings: it is the generous oil a host gave an honoured guest, which Simon the Pharisee withheld from Christ (Luke 7:46). The table is spread 'in the presence of mine enemies', who can only watch.
Verse 6
shall follow me — Radaph, the Psalms' usual word for enemies who 'persecute' (Ps 7:1). Here the pursuers are 'goodness' (tov) and 'mercy' (chesed, covenant love). 'For ever' is literally 'for length of days'; the house is the one David longed for in Ps 27:4.