A Psalm of David
Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Bible. It is a psalm of David, expressing his trust and confidence in God as his shepherd and provider. The psalm describes God’s care and protection, using the metaphor of a shepherd caring for his sheep. It is a comforting and reassuring psalm that has brought solace to countless believers throughout history.
A Psalm of David
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Even 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
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever *.
NASB
Exegesis of Psalm 23
Verse 1: David begins by declaring his trust in God as his shepherd, acknowledging that he lacks nothing because God provides for all his needs.
Verses 2-3: David describes God’s care and provision, likening it to a shepherd leading his sheep to green pastures and quiet waters. He expresses confidence in God’s restoration and guidance in righteous paths.
Verses 4-5: David acknowledges that even in difficult times, he does not fear because God is with him, providing comfort and protection. He describes God’s provision in the midst of adversity, preparing a table for him and anointing his head with oil.
Verse 6: David concludes by expressing confidence in God’s goodness and lovingkindness, believing that God will continue to bless him all the days of his life, and he will dwell in God’s presence forever.
Final Exegesis Of Psalm 23
David declares with the Lord as his shepard he will want for nothing.
Theological Theme Of Psalm 23
The theological theme that emerges from Psalm 23 is the intimate relationship between God and His people. The psalm portrays God as a caring and attentive shepherd who provides for all the needs of His flock. It emphasizes the believer’s trust in God’s care and provision, even in the face of adversity.
Application Of Psalm 23
The application of this psalm is the encouragement for believers to trust in God’s care and provision in all circumstances. Like a shepherd caring for his sheep, God provides for His people’s needs, guides them in righteous paths, and protects them from harm. The psalm encourages believers to trust in God’s goodness and loving kindness, knowing that He will always be with them and that they will dwell in His presence forever.
Study Guide For Psalm 23
Genre: Psalm 23 is a psalm of trust and confidence in God, often categorized as a psalm of thanksgiving or a psalm of trust.
Textual Criticism: Psalms 23 is well-preserved in the manuscript tradition, with few significant textual variants.
Historical Context: While the precise historical context of Psalm 23 is uncertain, it is traditionally attributed to King David. The psalm reflects themes of trust in God’s provision and protection, which would have been relevant to David’s experiences as a shepherd and as a king facing various challenges.
Literary Context: Psalm 23 is a well-known and beloved psalm that stands out for its imagery of God as a shepherd and the psalmist as a sheep under God’s care. It is part of the larger collection of Psalms, which contains a variety of poetic expressions of faith, lament, praise, and wisdom.leading to an eternal dwelling in God’s presence.
Hebrew Grammar in Psalm 23:
- The phrase “יְהוָ֑ה רֹ֝עִ֗י” (The Lord is my shepherd) in verse 1 uses the construct form in Hebrew, indicating possession or association.
- The verb “נִפְשִׁ֑י יְשׁוֹבֵ֖ב” (He restores my soul) in verse 3 is in the piel stem, indicating intensive or intentional action.
- The phrase “כִּי־אַתָּ֤ה עִמָּדִי֙” (for You are with me) in verse 4 uses the preposition עִם (with) to indicate presence.
- The phrase “עַֽד־יָשֻׁ֥ב” (will follow) in verse 6 uses the verb יָשׁוּב in the future tense, indicating a future action.
Psalms 23 is written in Hebrew, and its grammar reflects the poetic and expressive nature of Hebrew poetry. Some key grammatical features of Hebrew poetry in this psalm include:
Parallelism: Hebrew poetry often uses parallelism, where one line mirrors, complements, or contrasts with another. For example, in verse 1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” the second line echoes and expands on the first, emphasizing the sufficiency of God’s care.
Imagery and Metaphor: Hebrew poetry frequently uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey its message. In Psalms 23, God is portrayed as a shepherd, a metaphor that conveys the ideas of care, protection, and provision.
Repetition: Hebrew poetry often uses repetition for emphasis. In Psalms 23, the phrase “I shall not want” is repeated in verse 1 and serves as a refrain that reinforces the theme of God’s provision and sufficiency.
Poetic Forms: Hebrew poetry uses various poetic forms, such as acrostic, chiastic, and alphabetical patterns. While Psalms 23 does not follow a strict poetic form, it exhibits the characteristics of Hebrew poetry in its use of parallelism, imagery, and repetition.
