Holy Bible Online 
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will 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 anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23 Main Themes
This beautiful biblical Psalm, written by David, is one of the most well-known and quoted passages in the Bible. Its inspiring words express the confidence of someone totally dependent on God.
David was a young shepherd, red-haired and courageous, who had been taken from the sheepfolds to rule Israel (Psalms 78: 70-72). In this poem, he sings to the true Shepherd and King of men. It is not known for sure at what period of his life David wrote this Psalm, but it is believed to have been the work of his last years, given the serene tone of his confidence proven by his experiences. That's why, for more than 3,000 years, this beautiful poem has composed and inspired praises and prayers from Jews and Christians all over the world.
The Caring Shepherd
In Psalm 23, the psalmist David refers to a very common occupation among the Jews of his time. Ever since the patriarch Abraham (Genesis 13) and his descendants (Genesis 47:3-4; Genesis 48:15; 1 Chronicles 4:39-40), shepherding was a typical activity among the Israelites.
David had probably learned the craft from his father from an early age. As a child, he took good care of the sheep (1 Samuel 17:15; 34-37), defending them from the risks and dangers that life in the countryside has to offer. He knew that the sheep needed to be guided, fed, protected, and guarded by the shepherd.
Thus, he compares the zealous shepherd to the Creator God who guides, feeds, sustains, and protects His people (Isaiah 40:11). God is the Shepherd of Israel (Genesis 49:24), and he gives his sheep everything they need. David was just a guy, but from his line of descendants, the great and true Shepherd of men, Jesus Christ, would eventually be born (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25).
The Lord Shepherd
The metaphor of God as our shepherd is quite common throughout the Bible. It paints the image of God as present, protective, and guiding His people, progressively, throughout the ages. The Shepherd of Israel is the Shepherd of all those who trust in Him (Jeremiah 31:10; Isaiah 49:8-10; Micah 7:14; Ezekiel 34: 6-19). Jesus is also referred to as the "Good Shepherd" sent to lead all who believe in eternal life (John 10:11-18, 26-28; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 7:17).
The comparison between God and the shepherd appears in several other Psalms, often referring to rulers raised to lead God's people (Psalm 74:1, Psalm 77:20, Psalm 78:52-53; Psalm 78:70; Psalm 79:13; Psalm 80:1, Psalm 95:7, Psalm 100:3).
Verse-by-verse commentary
Verse 1 - Lord, The Caring Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1 (KJV)
"The Lord" - to God all good is attributed, he is the source of provision and security for the flock. Without God, every sheep is lost, helpless, and in danger. By God's grace, we are all invited to have Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, as King and supreme guide.
"my" Shepherd - This reveals a real closeness between the Lord and his sheep. Despite the greatness of the Shepherd of Israel, he is the personal God who makes himself known and relates to the small and meek. God makes himself available to all, He can be "your" shepherd and will lead you with love.
"I shall not want" - God asks us to wholeheartedly trust in his constant provision. He supplies for all the needs of his believers. God is the provider and sustainer of our lives. For this reason, there will be no lack of spiritual abundance, bread, peace, protection, and courage to continue on your way.
Verse 2 - God, the Provider of Peace and Sustenance
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."
Psalm 23:2 (KJV)
Green pastures are a source of nutrition, perfect for flocks of sheep. David, as a young shepherd, would have certainly led his sheep through green pastures and to the still waters near Bethlehem. So this is what he associated with the happiness, satisfaction, and peace he experienced in his life with God.
Rest and comfort - God provides the necessary rest and calm that our hearts long for. He gives comfort to the anguished mind and exhausted body, and brings us peace. God is an expert at transforming desert landscapes into beautiful green fields. He can calm storms and rough seas, turning them into waters of rest. Trust that the Lord is merciful and provides for the basic needs of his people with grace.
Verse 3 - The Lord Leads Along the Safe Path
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 23:3 (KJV)
God refreshes the afflicted soul and the troubled heart. He gives relief to the broken spirit of those who follow his voice of command. God's kind guidance leads us in a peaceful and just life, through safe paths. He teaches sinners the way (Psalm 25:8-12). Jesus Christ is the perfect way. He guides us in the right direction before God (John 14:6).
Verse 4 - The Shepherd, God present
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
"Even when I walk through a valley of darkness and death" - God's people can experience calamities, terrible dangers and shadows of death. This darkness can have natural causes (suffering, sickness and death itself) or evil ones (persecution, destruction and suffering caused by Satan and evil men, his instruments). In either case, the flock of Christ need not fear, but persevere in faith to the end (Luke 21:19).
A dark valley can be compared to countless difficult situations in life, times where we are reminded of our mortality and vulnerability. The valley of the shadow of death interrupts and shuts down all human prospects and personal dreams. Hence, the greatest cause of people's fear and anxiety as they approach death is apprehension of the judgment that will follow. But for those who follow Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). They don't need to be afraid, because Jesus gives grace and forgiveness. He has canceled the debt of those who believe in him (Colossians 2:13-15).
"I will fear no evil, for you are with me" - God's presence brings security and protection, even if we face life-threatening dangers. Security in the Lord is the full confidence that He protects from all evil (Psalm 33:18-20). David loved those helpless little animals and faced danger to protect them from death. How much more does God love his people? Jesus overcame sin and death to give us life and security. He delivers the faithful from all the terrors of life's darkness.
"your rod and your staff protect me" - the shepherd's rod and staff were instruments used to protect, count, guide and rescue sheep. The rod is a symbol of the shepherd's power of defense. With it, he defended and threatened predators or thieves, keeping evil adversaries away from his sheep.
The staff has one end curved into the shape of a hook. It was used to count the sheep, to catch them when they fell into a hole, and also to correct them when they were disobedient. With the staff, the shepherd prevented them from wandering away from the flock or venturing into dangerous paths.
In both senses, there is comfort and protection for the Lord's sheep. When we go through dangers and afflictions caused by external threats or by our sin and foolishness, the Lord's rod and staff sustain and correct us (Job 5:17).
Verse 5 - The Lord prepares blessings
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
Psalm 23:5 (KJV)
v.5 "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" - From this verse onwards, David changes the symbolism of God as our shepherd to God as our host, who welcomes us into his house.
God's Divine providence (his action in leading all events) takes into consideration the preparation of what believers need. The Lord prepares abundant blessings (Matthew 25:34; John 14:2) for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). The malicious actions of enemies are incapable of preventing the blessings and celebration of God's people.
Christians are not exempt from adversity and problems. Our enemies (the world, the flesh and the devil) are always looking for opportunities to defeat believers. But God prepares the right table for our needs. He gives us our "daily bread", providing what we need to overcome our adversaries.
"thou anointest my head with oil" - Anointing was a widely practiced social custom in those days in Israel. To anoint means to pour, or rub oil on a person's head, mostly as a sign of consecration or blessing. It was closely associated with moments of joy and celebration but had numerous meanings. Anointing with oil (perfume, ointment) was done in contexts such as the following:
- in personal care (Ruth 3:3)
- the anointing of consecrated objects (Exodus 40:9-11)
- anointing special guests to honor them (John 12:3)
- anointing for purification and healing (Mark 6:13)
- the anointing of people for specific offices:
- prophets
- priests
- kings
- the anointing of bodies to prepare them for burial (Mark 16:1)
The anointing by God confirms the presence of God's Holy Spirit over his people, his believers (1 John 2:20). Just as Jesus was God's Anointed (Acts 10:38), through him we receive the Lord's presence with us. He honors and anoints with His Spirit, giving overflowing joy, empowerment, and spiritual fullness.
"My cup runneth over" - The full cup is related to the abundant life that God provides in Christ Jesus. We love and serve an infinite God. In him, we have all things, by faith. His love fills our lives with grace and mercy. We no longer live thirsty and lonely, our cup overflows because the Lord fills us.
Verse 6 - The Good and Merciful Lord
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."
Psalm 23:6 (KJV)
"Goodness and mercy shall follow me" - Only God is Good and from him comes all the good and goodness that exists. The Lord's mercy is the manifestation of his love and goodness on our behalf (Lamentations 3:22-23). God spares us by not giving us everything we deserve. He is good and forgiving. He is not only present but also lovingly follows us. Just as the watchful eyes of a mother follow the footsteps of her little child; just as the cloud of glory followed the people in the desert, so God's goodness and mercy follow believers.
"Surely" - Shows confidence in God's goodness, faithfulness, and love in granting benefits, happiness, and protection. The psalmist believes that he will be reached by God's goodness and mercy throughout his life. David acknowledges God's favor in the present and in the future to come.
"I will dwell in the house of the Lord" - God's house is the place of his presence. To make God's house our dwelling place is to desire to be with God where He is (Psalm 26:8). God's house is a place of worship, knowledge, and communion with Him. It is not limited to a specific space today. In the past, it was a physical place, until Christ came and dwelt among us (John 1:14), and remains through the Holy Spirit (John 14:17-18). He has promised to prepare a place and take us to be with Him forever and ever.
Through Psalm 23 and the whole Bible, may you always remember that God is present, even in the face of danger and trouble. Believe, because God's presence is enough to sustain you!
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