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PSALM 23
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.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
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
It is such powerful imagery because of
SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.
▣ "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
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
The Hebrew term "soul" is nephesh (BDB 659, KB 711, see note at Ps. 3:2 and Gen. 35:18) and can refer to
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND
SPECIAL TOPIC; REPENTANCE (OT)
▣ | |
NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, LXX, Peshitta | "in the paths of righteousness" |
JPSOA, REB, NET | "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 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP). 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 serve!
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).
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY
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, Peshitta | "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.
It is used eighteen times in the OT (ten in Job) for
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; Josh. 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.
▣ "overflows" This is a rare word (BDB 924, KB 1201, "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."
A related root is found in Ps. 66:12, translated "a place of abundance."
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 is what God wanted to do for His covenant people (i.e., Deut. 30:9,15) to demonstrate His character to the nations.
There two NOUNS, "goodness" and "mercy," are personified to represent the personal presence of YHWH.
▣ | |
NASB | "lovingkindness" |
NKJV, NRSV, LXX, Peshitta | "mercy" |
TEV | "love" |
NJB | "faithful love" |
JPSOA | "steadfast love" |
REB | "love unfailing" |
This is the special covenant NOUN hesed (BDB 338, KB 336 II), 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).
▣ | |
NASB, NKJV, NRSV, REB, Peshitta | "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
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
▣ "forever" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER (olan).
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.
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