Study of the 23rd Psalm

The 23rd Psalm KJV

Psalms 23:1-6 ...The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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Verse 1 - .The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD!

Notes From Adam Clark ... "There are two allegories in this Psalm which are admirably well adapted to the purpose for which they are produced, and supported both with art and elegance. The first is that of a shepherd; the second, that of a great feast, set out by a host the most kind and the most liberal. As a flock, they have the most excellent pasture; as guests, they have the most nutritive and abundant fare. God condescends to call himself the Shepherd of his people, and his followers are considered as a flock under his guidance and direction.
1. He leads them out and in, so that they find pasture and safety.
2. He knows where to feed them, and in the course of his grace and providence leads them in the way in which they should go.
3. He watches over them and keeps them from being destroyed by ravenous beasts.
4. If any have strayed, he brings them back.
5. He brings them to the shade in times of scorching heat; in times of persecution and affliction, he finds out an asylum for them.
6. He takes care that they shall lack no manner of thing that is good.

MISQUOTES!:

• THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I CAN HAVE ANYTHING THAT I WANT (Greedy)
• THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - I AM FILLED WITH WANT (Pitiful)
• THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, AND THAT'S ALL I WANT (This sounds good but most who misquote it are denying the value of the church(es) which Christ built. It is a kind of salvation doctrine without commitment!)

The Quote: Dr. S. M. Lockridge .... paraphrase of David's Words... Psalm 23 ...I shall not want!

• I shall not want for rest, for He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
• I shall not want for refreshing, for he leadeth me beside still waters!
• I shall not want for salvation, for he restoreth my soul!
• I shall not want for guidance and comfort, for He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
• I shall not want for companionship, for yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear not evil, for thou art with me.
• I shall not want for good and sustenance, for thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
• I shall not want for joy, for thou anointest my head with oil.
• I shall not want for supply, for my cup runneth over.
• I shall not want for any good thing in this life, for surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
• I shall not want for anything in the that is to come, for I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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Verse 2 - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Notes from GILL ... Psa 23:2 - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,.... Or "pastures of tender grass" (t); this is one part of the shepherd's work, and which is performed by Christ, Eze_34:14; by these "green pastures" may be meant ...

he leadeth me beside the still waters, or "waters of rest and quietness" (u); not to rapid torrents, which by reason of the noise they make, and the swiftness of their motion, the sheep are frightened, and not able to drink of them; but to still waters, pure and clear, and motionless, or that go softly, like the waters of Shiloah, Isa_8:6; and the "leading" to them is in a gentle way, easily, as they are able to bear it; so Jacob led his flock, Gen_33:14; and Christ leads his, Isa_40:11; by these "still waters" may be designed the everlasting love of God, which is like a river, the streams whereof make glad the hearts of his people; ...

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Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Notes from BROWN ... To restore the soul is to revive or quicken it (Psa_19:7), or relieve it (Lam_1:11, Lam_1:19). ... paths of righteousness — those of safety, as directed by God, and pleasing to Him.for his name's sake — or, regard for His perfections, pledged for His people's welfare.

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Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Notes from the PRIMITIVE BAPTIST COMMENTARY:... "I will fear no evil"

Things may be calm and peaceful at present. A tragic occurrence in our lives may seem unlikely today. However, our vision is very dim. Whether or not we realize it there are many dangers, most of them hidden, that could cause us great harm or even destroy our lives before this day ends. ...

God's word is a rod and staff to help keep us from grievous sin. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.." {Ro 12:1-2}

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Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Notes From - THE REASURY OF DAVID: ...
"Thou preparest a table before me." When a soldier is in the presence of his enemies, if he eats at all he snatches a hasty meal, and away he hastens to the fight. But observe: "Thou preparest a table," just as a servant does when she unfolds the damask cloth and displays the ornaments of the feast on an ordinary peaceful occasion. Nothing is hurried, there is no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace. Oh! the peace which Jehovah gives to his people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances!
"Let earth be all in arms abroad,
They dwell in perfect peace."
"Thou anointest my head with oil." May we live in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh anointing for every day's duties. Every Christian is a priest, but he cannot execute the priestly office without unction, and hence we must go day by day to God the Holy Ghost, that we may have our heads anointed with oil. A priest without oil misses the chief qualification for his office, and the Christian priest lacks his chief fitness for service when he is devoid of new grace from on high. "My cup runneth over." He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which overflowed. A poor man may say this as well as those in higher circumstances. "What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?" said a poor cottager as she broke a piece of bread and filled a glass with cold water. Whereas a man may be ever so wealthy, but if he be discontented his cup cannot run over; it is cracked and leaks. Content is the philosopher's stone which turns all it touches into gold; happy is he who has found it. Content is more than a kingdom, it is another word for happiness.

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Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.


Notes from BROWN ... Another figure expresses God's provided care.
a table — or, "food," anointing
oil — the symbol of gladness, and the overflowing
cup — which represents abundance - are prepared for the child of God, who may feast in spite of his enemies, confident that this favor will ever attend him. This beautiful Psalm most admirably sets before us, in its chief figure, that of a shepherd, the gentle, kind, and sure care extended to God's people, who, as a shepherd, both rules and feeds them. The closing verse shows that the blessings mentioned are spiritual.

The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary
by Robert AlterNew: $23.10