KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Prior Book Prior Chapter Back to Commentaries Author Bio & Contents Next Chapter Next Book
Cite Print
The Blue Letter Bible

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Psalm 23

Choose a new font size and typeface

Click here to view listing below for 1Pe 2:25

The Book of Psalms

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

PSALM 23

Psa 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 ( Jhn 10:14 Hbr 13:20 1Pe 2:25 5:4 ), and therefore the opinion that He is the Lord here so described, and in Gen 48:15 Psa 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 ( Psa 19:7 ), or relieve it ( Lam 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."
      oil--anointing oil, the symbol of gladness.
      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.

Introduction to Job ← Prior Book
Introduction to Proverbs Next Book →
Commentary on Psalm 22 ← Prior Chapter
Commentary on Psalm 24 Next Chapter →
BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
 [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV

Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.