Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.… This Psalm, so personal and tender in its tone, may be called a lyric; and its reference to shepherd life makes it a pastoral; and being such, it becomes by its brevity and finish an idyll — an idyll excelling in naturalness and truth any that Theocritus, the father of idylls, ever wrote. But in its simplicity it sets forth the weightiest theme. Feeble man may have constant companionship with the mighty and everlasting God, may cast all his anxiety upon Him, for He careth for each one of us. The Psalmist was not unacquainted with the shepherd's office; for he had fed his father's sheep in the mountains about Bethlehem, and often in solitude shut up to their lowly and loving companionship, by sympathising in their wants, he had loved them much, and for their sake had struggled hard with lion and bear. Ver. 1. The Lord Jehovah; from derivation, the "Everlasting One" — the "One that is." Ver. 2. Lie down — Applies to animals that lie upon the breast with the limbs gathered under them. Pastures — The place where one settles down. It can stand for the dwellings of men, for dens of wild beasts, for encampment of flocks. Green — Implying grass in its early growth. Still waters — or waters of rest. Ver. 3. Soul — or spirit; used of animals as well as men. They and we lose spirit by exhaustion. We lose spirituality by sin. Paths of righteousness — Not only a right course, but one which ends in righteousness or safety. Ver. 4. Valley — Not death, but a deep ravine overhung with rocks or trees, and full of gloom, even at midday. Rod and staff — In the Himalayas the shepherd has been seen using his crook to draw a straying sheep from the brink of a precipice. Ver. 5. Preparest — We set a table, putting all upon it in fit order. Runneth over — Literally, my cup (is) abundance. Original of abundance is used of draught that satisfies for quantity. Ver. 6. Follow — Its original is often used of the eager pursuit of enemies and persecutors. (T. H. Rich, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Psalm of David.} The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. |
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