Psalm 23:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 23:1-6

From three very comfortable premises David, in this psalm, draws three very comfortable conclusions, and teaches us to do so too. We are saved by hope, and that hope will not make us ashamed, because it is well grounded. It is the duty of Christians to encourage themselves in the Lord their God; and we are here directed to take that encouragement both from the relation wherein he stands to us and from the experience we have had of his goodness according to that relation. I. From God's being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 23:2

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ,.... Or "pastures of tender grass" F20 דשא "tenerae herbae", Piscator, Amama, Gejerus, Michaelis; "in folds of budding grass", Ainsworth. ; this is one part of the shepherd's work, and which is performed by Christ, Ezekiel 34:14 ; by these "green pastures" may be meant the covenant of grace, its blessings and promises, where there is delicious feeding; likewise the fulness of grace in Christ, from whence grace for grace is received; also... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 23:2

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures - דשא בנאות binoth deshe , not green pastures, but cottages of turf or sods, such as the shepherds had in open champaign countries; places in which themselves could repose safely; and pens thus constructed where the flock might be safe all the night. They were enclosures, and enclosures where they had grass or provender to eat. Beside the still waters - Deep waters, that the strongest heat could not exhale; not by a rippling current, which... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 23:2

Verse 2 2.He maketh me to lie down in pastures of grass. With respect to the words, it is in the Hebrew, pastures, orfields of grass, for grassy and rich grounds. Some, instead of translating the word נאות,neoth, which we have rendered pastures, render it shepherds’ cots or lodges. If this translation is considered preferable, the meaning of the Psalmist will be, that sheep-cots were prepared in rich pasture grounds, under which he might be protected from the heat of the sun. If even in cold... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 23:1-4

The Shepherd of Israel. To a countryman of David, an ancient Israelite, the shepherd with his flock was no poetical figure, but a most familiar object. From Carmel to Gilead, from Hermon to the pastures of the wilderness of Paran, the green hills of Canaan were covered with flocks. On these same hills and plains the forefathers of the nation—Abraham, Isaac, Israel—had pitched their camps and fed their flocks, when as yet they could not call a rood of land their own. With us the shepherd's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 23:1-4

God's providential care. "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want" etc. God's care and providence over man are denoted by the following things. I. HE GIVES REST TO THE WEARY . "Maketh me to lie down in green pastures." Man is a combatant; he has a fight to maintain, a work to do; and he shall have seasons to rest from his exhaustion. He is a pilgrim-traveller. He has rest from bodily toil. So also rest from spiritual work. But the rest is spiritual in its kind. Not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 23:1-6

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 23:1-6

The good Shepherd and his flock. This is one of the sweetest of all the psalms. That it was written by him who was raised from having care of a flock to be the king on Israel's throne, there is no reason for doubting, spite of all that destructive critics may say. No amount of Hebrew scholarship can possibly let any one into the deep meaning of this psalm. No attainments in English literature will ever initiate any student into the mysteries of a mother's love, and no attainments in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 23:1-6

The good Shepherd. Dr. Arnold said that "amongst Christians, all looking upon the Scriptures as their rule of faith and life, there are particular passages which will most suit the wants of particular minds, and appear to them therefore full of an extraordinary measure of comfort and of wisdom." This is true. Most people have their favourite passages of Scripture. But it may be said of this psalm that it holds a peculiar position. It has for more than three thousand years been one of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 23:1-6

The power of reflection. The psalmist looks back over his life, and sings with grateful heart of God's love and care. We may use the psalm as bringing before us some of the changes and contrasts of life. I. YOUTH AND AGE . This psalm breathes the air of youth. It is the echo of the shepherd-life among the hills of Judah. But the psalmist was now old. Still, he cleaves to God. Happy are they who have sought God early, and whose days from youth to age are linked together by natural... read more

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