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PSALMS 23

Old Testament Studies
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STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

NASB NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd The Lord the Shepherd of His People An Expression of confidence in God’s Protection
(A Song of Trust) 		The Lord Our Shepherd The Good Shepherd
MT Intro
A Psalm of David.		        
23:1-3 23:1-3 23:1-3 23:1-4 23:1-2a
        23:2b-3
23:4-6 23:4 23:4   23:4
  23:5-6 23:5-6 23:5-6 23:5
        23:6

READING CYCLE THREE (see
“Bible
Interpretation Seminar”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR’S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which
means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the
light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not
relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare
your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is
the key to following the original author’s intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every
paragraph has one and only one subject.

  1. First paragraph
  2. Second paragraph
  3. Third paragraph, etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

  1. This is possibly the best known passage in the Bible by the general public; the other
    ones being John 3:16 or “the love chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13. This is the
    biblical worldview of a faithful follower. The focus is on YHWH and His presence, care,
    and provision!

     

  2. It uses three distinct cultural metaphors to describe the close personal aspect of
    biblical faith.

     

    1. God as Shepherd; His people as needy sheep, Ps. 23:1-2
    2. God as Guide; His people as needy pilgrims, Ps. 23:3-4
    3. God as Host; His people as welcomed guests, Ps. 23:5-6

     

  3. This Psalm has ten IMPERFECT (ongoing action) VERBS. God is
    present every day, not just in crisis times. This is the OT counterpoint of Matt. 6:11.

     

    1. I do not lack – BDB 341, KB 338, Qal NEGATED IMPERFECT,
      cf. Ps. 34:9,10
    2. He makes me lie down – BDB 918, KB 1181, Hiphil IMPERFECT
    3. He leads me – BDB 624, KB 675, Piel IMPERFECT
    4. He restores my soul – BDB 996, KB 1427, Polel IMPERFECT,
      cf. Ps. 19:7
    5. He guides me – BDB 634, KB 685, Hiphil IMPERFECT,
      cf. Ps. 5:8; 31:3
    6. Even though I walk – BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERFECT
    7. I fear no evil – BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT,
      cf. Ps. 27:1
    8. They (i.e., rod and staff) comfort me – BDB 636, KB 688, Piel
      IMPERFECT
    9. You prepare a table before me – BDB 789, KB 884, Qal
      IMPERFECT
    10. Goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me – BDB 922, KB 1191, Qal
      IMPERFECT
    11. I will dwell/turn – BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERFECT
      with waw, cf. Ps. 27:4-6

     

  4. The UBS Handbook (p. 230) notes that this Psalm does not have synonymous
    parallelism. The poetic lines do not have symmetry (i.e., same length). It is a
    climactic progression in succinct wording. Its brevity accentuates its message and power!

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: PSALM 23:1-3
 1The
Lord is my shepherd,
 I shall not want.
 2He makes me lie down in
green pastures;
 He leads
me beside quiet waters.
 3He
restores my soul;
 He
guides me in the paths of righteousness
 For
His name’s sake.

23:1 The opening line is literally “YHWH is the one shepherding me.” The only
VERBAL is the Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE (BDB 944, KB 1258). The
concept of YHWH as Shepherd was a royal title in the ANE (i.e., Hammurabi). In the OT it is used
in the sense of

  1. a description ‒ Ps. 78:52; Ezek. 34:11-13
  2. a covenant title ‒ Ps. 80:1
  3. a metaphor ‒ Isa. 40:11; Jer. 31:10
  4. the Messiah as Shepherd ‒ John 10:11; 1 Peter 2:25

It is such powerful imagery because of

  1. the close and constant presence of the shepherd with the sheep
  2. the sheep’s need of an ever-present caretaker and protector

▣ “I shall not want” This is a simple but comprehensive phrase. It cannot
refer to every want or need. It denotes that which is necessary for sheep to be healthy. The worst
thing God could do for most fallen humans is answer positively their selfish, worldly requests. The
Shepherd of our souls will do and give that which is best for us!

23:2 This verse describes Ps. 23:1. The Shepherd knows that sheep need

  1. rest
  2. food
  3. water

He provides these in ways that the sheep can accept (i.e., the right food, water they
can drink from easily). We are not alone (cf. Psalm 139)! There is purpose in our lives, even in
a fallen world. This is not meant to imply a pain-free, problem-free life experience. It does
affirm that He is with us, and for us (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13).

23:3 “He restores my soul” This verse addresses and acknowledges the fallen human
condition (cf. Isa. 53:6). We need “restoring.” This VERB (BDB 996, KB 1427)
is the very VERB used of “repentance.” This same VERB is used
in Ps. 23:6 of returning to the tabernacle/temple for lifelong fellowship. Faithful followers, motivated
by God’s Spirit, must turn from self and sin, and to God. Biblical salvation is

  1. a reversal of the fall
  2. restored intimacy with God
  3. turning from known sin and forgiveness for unknown sin (cf. Ps. 19:12-14)
  4. purposeful turning to God (i.e., in fellowship, obedience, and worship, cf. Ps. 23:3b)

The Hebrew term “soul” is nephesh (BDB 659, KB 711, see note at Ps. 3:2
and Gen. 35:18) and can refer to

  1. human beings – Gen. 2:7
  2. animals – Gen. 1:24; 2:19

SPECIAL TOPIC;
REPENTANCE IN THE OT

▣
NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV   ”in the paths of righteousness”
JPSOA, REB   ”in right paths”
NJB   ”in paths of saving justice”

In context this refers to the safe paths that lead to food and water. The
word “right” or “righteousness” (BDB 841, see
SPECIAL
TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS) basically has an ethical, moral aspect and surely it is implied here
(cf. Eph. 1:4; 2:10). To know God is to live in obedience to His revealed will. This implication
is reenforced by the last phrase of Ps. 23:3, “for His Name’s sake” (see
SPECIAL TOPIC: “THE
NAME” OF YHWH). He “leads” so we may “live” for Him. We as faithful
followers reveal Him! He saves us to save others. We are saved to s
erve!

For the phrase “for His name’s sake,” see Ps. 25:11; 31:3; 79:9; 106:8; 109:21;
143:11. We live to reveal His character and purposes. Often Israel did not (cf. Jer. 14:21;
Ezek. 20:9,14,22; 36:22-38).

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: PSALM 23:4-6
 4Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
 I fear no evil, for You are with me;
 Your rod and Your staff, they
comfort me.
 5You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
 You have anointed my head with oil;
 My cup overflows.
 6Surely goodness and
lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
 And I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.

23:4
NASB, NKJV   ”the valley of the shadow of death”
NRSV   ”the darkest valley”
TEV   ”the deepest darkness”
NJB   ”a ravine as dark as death”
LXX   ”death’s shadow”
JPSOA, REB   ”a valley of deepest darkness”

This is a CONSTRUCT of “valley” (BDB 161) and
“darkness,” “deep shadow” (BDB 853). Many scholars think
צלמות comes from צל and מות.

  1. shadow, gloom, darkness ‒ BDB 853, KB 1024
  2. death, dying ‒ BDB 560, KB 563

It is used eighteen times in the OT (ten in Job) for

  1. death ‒ Job 10:21,22; 38:17; Ps. 107:10,14
  2. distress ‒ Job 16:16; 24:17
  3. often in context with contrast to light ‒ Job 3:5; 12:22; 24:17; 28:3; 34:22;
    Jer. 13:16; Amos 5:8

It is used figuratively of the fearful, distressing, and fatal experiences of fallen humanity
in this fallen world. Life is fearful but God is with us (cf. Ps. 23:4b,c; Deut. 31:6,8; Matt. 28:20;
2 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 13:5).

▣ “fear. . .comfort” What a contrast! Faithful ones face trials with confidence
because God is with them (i.e., symbolized with the Shepherd’s or Guide’s rod and staff, His instruments
of care and protection).

Problems will come! We never face them alone! Never! He will never forsake us or leave us
(cf. Deut. 31:6; Jos. 1:5; Heb. 13:5).

23:5 Not only is God with us and for us, He will vindicate us in the very presence of those
who would harm us. The culturally expected hospitality is used to demonstrate the extravagant
abundance of God’s love.

  1. table prepared
  2. anointed head
  3. overflowing love

▣ “overflows” This is a rare word (BDB 924, “saturated”) found only
here in the OT. Psalm 66:12 has “place of abundance” (slightly different spelling). The LXX
translates it as “Your cup cheers me like the best wine” or “Your cup was supremely
intoxicating,” which obviously takes the idea from “saturated” as “intoxicated.”

23:6 “goodness” The VERB (BDB 373), ADJECTIVE (BDB 373 II),
and NOUN (BDB 375III) all denote that which is “good,” “pleasing,”
“beneficial.” They are used extensively in Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. This iswhat God
wanted to do for His covenant people (i.e., Deut. 30:9,15).

▣
NASB   ”lovingkindness”
NKJV, NRSV   ”mercy”
TEV   ”love”
NJB   ”faithful love”
JPSOA   ”steadfast love”
REB   ”love unfailing”

This is the special covenant NOUN hesed (BDB 338), which
denoted YHWH’s faithful, undeserved covenant loyalty. The covenant loyalty is all the more striking
in light of Israel’s disobedience (cf. Neh. 9:6-38).

SPECIAL
TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS)

▣
NASB, NKJV, NRSV, REB   ”follow”
TEV   ”will be with me”
NJB, LXX, JPSOA   ”pursue”

This VERB (BDB 922, KB 1191, Qal IMPERFECT)
has a more aggressive sense than “follow.” It denoted active pursuit. Just think, God’s
covenant love chased the Israelites. It is a

  1. military word
  2. hunting word
  3. judicial word

Stop! Turn around! Look who is pursuing you, yes you!

▣ The last line in this OT context does not denote eternal life (other texts do,
cf. Rev. 21:3-7; 22:1-5) but a life of covenant goodness (cf. Deut. 30:3,15,19). This was to be
lived out in daily life and regular tabernacle/temple worship.

The VERB (BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal PERFECT with
waw) can denote

  1. to sit down with (ancients)
  2. to return (Hebrew)

▣ “forever” See
SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own
interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation.
You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

 

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of
the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

  1. How is YHWH like a shepherd?
  2. How do the VERBS of Ps. 23:1-3 apply to the daily life of faithful followers?
  3. Define “the valley of the shadow of death.”
  4. Does this Psalm foreshadow an afterlife?
  5. Why is the Psalm so meaningful to believers of all ages?

 

Copyright © 2014 Bible
Lessons International

 

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