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Book of Psalms


Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

King James Version

1 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.1

Bible Commentary
1 The figure representing Jehovah as a shepherd and His people as sheep, is common in the Scriptures. To understand and appreciate the beauty and meaning of the imagery, one must know the hazardous nature of the Judean wilderness, and the intimate life the shepherd and his sheep, especially the devotion that springs up between them during the many hours of solitude that they spend together. The statement I shall not want displays absolute trust in God.2
2 The Good Shepherd leads His sheep beside the still waters only the better to prepare them for the strenuous activities of the open road. God grants hours of refreshment to enable men the better to meet the hard battles of the daily round of affairs.2
3 To restore the soul is to revive it or bring it back from its errors and wandering3. Those familiar with the rough terrain of Judea know how easy it is to waste time and suffer serious mishap when traversing the highlands, with deep rocky ravines, if they do not find the right path. If we permit, God always leads us in the right way, although at the time that way may not seem easy. God's guidance is a revelation to men of His character.2

4 The valley of the shadow of death is a ravine overhung by high precipitous cliffs, filled with dense forests, and well calculated to inspire dread to the timid, and afford a covert to beasts of prey.4 Even in the darkest and most trying hour God is near. The Christian needs nothing more than the consciousness of God's presence. The rod and staff are token's of shepherd's presence. He uses them to guide his sheep and ward off ravenous beasts that infested the pasturelands. The shepherd provides rest, refreshment, nourishment, fellowship, guidance, deliverance from fear, comfort, security, victory over enemies.2
5 Jehovah is even more than a shepherd - He is a king, lavishing upon His guests the bounties of His table. He also provides comfort and gladness. Since God is the host, His child can partake at His feast without concern for his enemies, for he knows that their plots to injure him must come to nought.2
6 David gladly anticipates Gods' guidance in the future and is confident that he will continue to be a guest in God's house all the days of his life and receive His material and spiritual blessings.2

References and notes
1. King James Authorized Version
2. SDA Bible Commentary Vol 3 pgs. 685-687
3. John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible - http:// bible. crosswalk .com/ Commentaries
4. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible- http:// bible. crosswalk .com/ Commentaries
5. Catholic Encyclopedia - www.newad vent.org /cathen /12533 a.htm

SONG PREVIEW

Click on image for song preview of Psalm 23. The music was composed in 1981. Psalm 23 features on the CD album Sing Psalms unto Him.

 

FREE POWERPOINT

Click income to download a free PowerPoint presentation of Psalm 23. This presentation can be easily synchronised to the music of Psalm 23 from the CD Sing Psalms unto Him.



THE SHEPHERD'S PSALM

Probably the best known and best loved of all the psalms is Psalm 23, universally known as The Shepherd's Psalm. But it is more than The Shepherd Psalm. It paints not only the picture of the tender shepherd, leading His flock to rest and feed in green pastures beside the still waters and protecting them from the perils of the wilderness. It also pictures the gracious Host, providing superabundance of food and solicitous care for His guest. The psalm closes with a profession of absolute confidence in Jehovah to lead His child lovingly through this life and to entertain him as His guest to the end of his days.2



PSALM 23 SPOKEN IN GUISE OF POET & SHEEP

The Poet:
1. Jahweh is my Shepherd; I have no want,

The Sheep:
2. In pastures of tender grass he setteth me; unto still waters he leadeth me;
3. He turneth me back again; He guideth me along right paths for his own name's sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the vale of the shadow of death, I fear no harm; for thou art with me; Thy bludgeon and they staff, they stay me.
5. Thou settest food before me, in the presence of my foes; Thou has anointed my head with oil; my trough runneth over.

The Poet:
6. Ah, goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, I will go back to the house of Jahweh even for the length of my days. Jahweh is my Shepherd; I have no want! 5

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