Psalm 23:1-3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 23:1

PSALM 23THE SHEPHERD PSALMWriters have tried to outdo one another in describing the popularity, beauty, and delight of this little psalm. It is described as perhaps the most popular chapter in the Old Testament, which is undoubtedly the truth.The Davidic authorship of it is generally accepted. "No really valid argument has yet been advanced against it."[1] However, the date of its composition is uncertain. The metaphor of the shepherd which dominates the passage suggests the early life of the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 23:1

Psalms 23:0. David's confidence in God's grace. A Psalm of David. Title.— לדוד מזמור mizmor ledavid. In this psalm David expresses his confidence in God, who had delivered him from the persecutions of Saul, and settled him in a prosperous condition: whom, therefore, he here compares first to a good shepherd, who carefully feeds and diligently watches over his flock; and, secondly, to a hospitable friend, by whom he was sure of being liberally and splendidly entertained. See the note on Psalms... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 23:2

Psalms 23:2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, &c.— Rabbi Solomon tells us, (most likely upon the credit of ancient tradition,) that, when David went into the forest of Hareth, it became fruitful and irriguous, though it had been before dry, barren, and impassable; and that David alludes hereto in this psalm, where he considers God as his shepherd, who would, in his own time, lead him into fruitful pastures; and till then he was safe under his protection in the most dangerous... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 23:3

Psalms 23:3. He restoreth my soul, &c.— He refresheth, &c. Mudge. "When I am ready to faint, he refreshes me, and brings me to life again." See Psalms 19:8. In the paths of righteousness, Green renders very properly, after Schultens, in right paths: "in such paths as are right and safe for me." See Proverbs 8:20. And he justly observes, that it is right to keep up the metaphorical sense, and to carry on the image of a shepherd, under which God is represented, and not break in upon it,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 23:1

1. Christ's relation to His people is often represented by the figure of a shepherd (John 10:14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4), and therefore the opinion that He is the Lord here so described, and in Genesis 48:15; Psalms 80:1; Isaiah 40:11, is not without some good reason. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 23:2

2. green pastures—or, "pastures of tender grass," are mentioned, not in respect to food, but as places of cool and refreshing rest. the still waters—are, literally, "waters of "stillness," whose quiet flow invites to repose. They are contrasted with boisterous streams on the one hand, and stagnant, offensive pools on the other. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 23:3

3. To restore the soul is to revive or quicken it (Psalms 19:7), or relieve it (Lamentations 1:11; Lamentations 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. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 23:1

David compared Yahweh to a shepherd as he reviewed His blessings on his life (cf. Psalms 28:9; Psalms 80:1). This was a familiar role for David who had been a shepherd of sheep as a youth and who later became a shepherd of God’s people as their king. Other ancient Near Eastern kings also described themselves as the shepherds of their nations. [Note: E.g., King Hammurabi. See James B. Pritchard, ed., Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, p. 164.] Even some pagan gods were... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 23:1-4

1. God as leader 23:1-4 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 23:1-6

Psalms 23David reflected on God’s many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future. This is a psalm of trust and confidence in God’s goodness in the present and in the future."Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Its peace is not escape; its contentment is not complacency: there is readiness to face deep darkness and imminent attack, and the climax reveals a love which homes towards no material goal but... read more

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