4 Yea, though I walk H3212 through the valley H1516 of the shadow of death, H6757 I will fear H3372 no evil: H7451 for thou art with me; thy rod H7626 and thy staff H4938 they comfort H5162 me.
But now thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 that created H1254 thee, O Jacob, H3290 and he that formed H3335 thee, O Israel, H3478 Fear H3372 not: for I have redeemed H1350 thee, I have called H7121 thee by thy name; H8034 thou art mine. When thou passest through H5674 the waters, H4325 I will be with thee; and through the rivers, H5104 they shall not overflow H7857 thee: when thou walkest H3212 through H1119 the fire, H784 thou shalt not be burned; H3554 neither shall the flame H3852 kindle H1197 upon thee.
[[To the chief Musician H5329 for the sons H1121 of Korah, H7141 A Song H7892 upon Alamoth.]] H5961 God H430 is our refuge H4268 and strength, H5797 a very H3966 present H4672 help H5833 in trouble. H6869 Therefore will not we fear, H3372 though the earth H776 be removed, H4171 and though the mountains H2022 be carried H4131 into the midst H3820 of the sea; H3220 Though the waters H4325 thereof roar H1993 and be troubled, H2560 though the mountains H2022 shake H7493 with the swelling H1346 thereof. Selah. H5542
Before I go H3212 whence I shall not return, H7725 even to the land H776 of darkness H2822 and the shadow of death; H6757 A land H776 of darkness, H5890 as darkness H652 itself; and of the shadow of death, H6757 without any order, H5468 and where the light H3313 is as darkness. H652
O death, G2288 where G4226 is thy G4675 sting? G2759 O grave, G86 where G4226 is thy G4675 victory? G3534 G1161 The sting G2759 of death G2288 is sin; G266 and G1161 the strength G1411 of sin G266 is the law. G3551 But G1161 thanks G5485 be to God, G2316 which G3588 giveth G1325 us G2254 the victory G3534 through G1223 our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547
[[A Psalm of David.]] H1732 The LORD H3068 is my light H216 and my salvation; H3468 whom shall I fear? H3372 the LORD H3068 is the strength H4581 of my life; H2416 of whom shall I be afraid? H6342 When the wicked, H7489 even mine enemies H6862 and my foes, H341 came H7126 upon me to eat up H398 my flesh, H1320 they stumbled H3782 and fell. H5307 Though an host H4264 should encamp H2583 against me, my heart H3820 shall not fear: H3372 though war H4421 should rise H6965 against me, in this will I be confident. H982 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
Then G1161 spake G2036 the Lord G2962 to Paul G3972 in G1223 the night G3571 by G1722 a vision, G3705 Be G5399 not G3361 afraid, G5399 but G235 speak, G2980 and G2532 hold G4623 not G3361 thy peace: G4623 For G1360 I G1473 am G1510 with G3326 thee, G4675 and G2532 no man G3762 shall set on G2007 thee G4671 to hurt G2559 thee: G4571 for G1360 I G3427 have G2076 much G4183 people G2992 in G1722 this G5026 city. G4172
Associate H7489 yourselves, O ye people, H5971 and ye shall be broken in pieces; H2865 and give ear, H238 all H3605 ye of far H4801 countries: H776 gird H247 yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; H2865 gird H247 yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. H2865 Take H5779 counsel H6098 together, H5779 and it shall come to nought; H6565 speak H1696 the word, H1697 and it shall not stand: H6965 for God H410 is with us.
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.