Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures - Margin, “Pastures of tender grass.” The Hebrew word rendered “pastures” means usually “dwellings,” or “habitations.” It is applied here properly to “pastures,” as places where flocks and herds lie down for repose. The word rendered in the margin “tender grass” - דשׁא deshe' - refers to the first shoots of vegetation from the earth - young herbage - tender grass - as clothing the meadows, and as delicate food for cattle, Job 6:5. It differs from ripe... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ; literally, in grassy homesteads—" the richer, oasis-like spots, where a homestead would be fixed in a barren tract of land" (Kay). He leadeth me beside the still waters ; rather, waters of refreshment ; ἐπὶ ὓδατος ἀναπαύσεως ( LXX .). read more