Psalms Chapter 23

“The Lord [is] my shepherd, etc.] This is to be understood not of Jehovah the Father, and of his feeding the people of Israel in the wilderness, as the Targum paraphrases it, though the character of a shepherd is sometimes given to him, (<197720>Psalm 77:20 80:1); but of Jehovah the Son, to whom it is most frequently ascribed, (<014924>Genesis 49:24 <234011> Isaiah 40:11) (<263423>Ezekiel 34:23 37:24 <381307>Zechariah 13:7 <431011>John 10:11,14 <600225>1 Peter 2:25 5:4). This office he was called and appointed to by his Father, and which through his condescending grace he undertook to execute, and for which he is…”

“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. (Psa 23:1-6) Christ's relation to His people is often represented by the figure of a shepherd (Joh 10:14; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25; Pe1 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.”

“Lie down - To repose myself at noon, as the manner was in those hot countries. Green - Where there is both delight and plenty of provisions. Psalms 23:3”

“Pss 23–28 These psalms develop the importance of integrity (25:4-7, 12-14, 21; 26:6, 11; 27:7-12), God’s shepherding care (23:1; 28:9), God’s guidance (23:2-3; 25:5; 27:11), God’s goodness (23:6; 25:7-8; 27:13), and living in his house (23:6; 26:8; 27:4, 8). Ps 23 This psalm of trust and confidence in the Lord has been a favorite of God’s people for generations. It expresses assurance of God’s presence in the midst of adversity. It evokes images of the Good Shepherd (23:1-3; see Ezek 34:12; John 10:11) and of the messianic banquet (Ps 23:5-6; see Isa 25:6; Rev 19:9). 23:1-3 People in the ancient Near East…”

“my: Psa 79:13, Psa 80:1; Isa 40:11; Jer 23:3, Jer 23:4; Eze 34:11, Eze 34:12, Eze 34:23, Eze 34:24; Mic 5:2, Mic 5:4; Joh 10:11, Joh 10:14, Joh 10:27-30; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25, Pe1 5:4; Rev 7:17 I shall: Psa 34:9, Psa 34:10, Psa 84:11; Mat 6:33; Luk 12:30-32; Rom 8:32; Phi 4:19; Heb 13:5, Heb 13:6 Psalms 23:2”

“The poet calls Jahve רעי, as He who uniformly and graciously provides for and guides him and all who are His. Later prophecy announces the visible appearing of this Shepherd, Isa 40:11, Eze 34:23, and other passages. If this has taken place, the רעי ה from the mouth of man finds its cordial response in the words ἐγὼ εἰμὶ ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός. He who has Jahve, the possessor of all things, himself has all things, he lacks nothing; viz., כּ־טוב, whatever is good in itself and would be good for him, Psa 34:11; Psa 84:12. נאות דּשׁא are the pastures of fresh and tender grass, where one lies at ease, and rest and…”