6 Surely goodness H2896 and mercy H2617 shall follow H7291 me all the days H3117 of my life: H2416 and I will dwell H3427 in the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 for ever. H753 H3117
For G1063 we know G1492 that G3754 if G1437 our G2257 earthly G1919 house G3614 of this tabernacle G4636 were dissolved, G2647 we have G2192 a building G3619 of G1537 God, G2316 an house G3614 not made with hands, G886 eternal G166 in G1722 the heavens. G3772
One H259 thing have I desired H7592 of the LORD, H3068 that will I seek H1245 after; that I may dwell H3427 in the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 all the days H3117 of my life, H2416 to behold H2372 the beauty H5278 of the LORD, H3068 and to enquire H1239 in his temple. H1964
Thou shalt guide H5148 me with thy counsel, H6098 and afterward H310 receive H3947 me to glory. H3519 Whom have I in heaven H8064 but thee? and there is none upon earth H776 that I desire H2654 beside thee. My flesh H7607 and my heart H3824 faileth: H3615 but God H430 is the strength H6697 of my heart, H3824 and my portion H2506 for ever. H5769
How excellent H3368 is thy lovingkindness, H2617 O God! H430 therefore the children H1121 of men H120 put their trust H2620 under the shadow H6738 of thy wings. H3671 They shall be abundantly satisfied H7301 with the fatness H1880 of thy house; H1004 and thou shalt make them drink H8248 of the river H5158 of thy pleasures. H5730 For with thee is the fountain H4726 of life: H2416 in thy light H216 shall we see H7200 light. H216 O continue H4900 thy lovingkindness H2617 unto them that know H3045 thee; and thy righteousness H6666 to the upright H3477 in heart. H3820
As for me, I will behold H2372 thy face H6440 in righteousness: H6664 I shall be satisfied, H7646 when I awake, H6974 with thy likeness. H8544
Thou hast turned H2015 for me my mourning H4553 into dancing: H4234 thou hast put off H6605 my sackcloth, H8242 and girded H247 me with gladness; H8057 To the end that my glory H3519 may sing H2167 praise to thee, and not be silent. H1826 O LORD H3068 my God, H430 I will give thanks H3034 unto thee for ever. H5769
But the mercy H2617 of the LORD H3068 is from everlasting H5769 to H5704 everlasting H5769 upon them that fear H3373 him, and his righteousness H6666 unto children's H1121 children; H1121
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 23
Commentary on Psalms 23 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 23
Ps 23:1-6. Under a metaphor borrowed from scenes of pastoral life, with which David was familiar, he describes God's providential care in providing refreshment, guidance, protection, and abundance, and so affording grounds of confidence in His perpetual favor.
1. Christ's relation to His people is often represented by the figure of a shepherd (Joh 10:14; Heb 13:20; 1Pe 2:25; 5:4), and therefore the opinion that He is the Lord here so described, and in Ge 48:15; Ps 80:1; Isa 40:11, is not without some good reason.
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.
3. To restore the soul is to revive or quicken it (Ps 19:7), or relieve it (La 1:11, 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.
4. In the darkest and most trying hour God is near.
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. While expressive of any great danger or cause of terror, it does not exclude the greatest of all, to which it is most popularly applied, and which its terms suggest.
thy rod and thy staff—are symbols of a shepherd's office. By them he guides his sheep.
5, 6. 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.