Psalm 23:2-6 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 23:3

He restoreth my soul ,.... Either when backslidden, and brings it back again when led or driven away, and heals its backslidings; or rather, when fainting, swooning, and ready to die away, he fetches it back again, relieves, refreshes, and comforts with the discoveries of his love, with the promises of his word, and with the consolations of his Spirit, and such like reviving cordials; see Gill on Psalm 19:7 ; he leadeth, he in the paths of righteousness ; in the plain paths of truth... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ,.... Which designs not a state of spiritual darkness and ignorance, as sitting in the shadow of death sometimes does, since the psalmist cannot be supposed to be at this time or after in such a condition; see Isaiah 9:2 ; nor desertion or the hidings of God's face, which is sometimes the case of the people of God, and was the case of the psalmist at times; but now he expressly says the Lord was with him; but rather, since the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 23:5

Thou preparest a table before me ,.... In a providential way granting a sufficiency, and even an affluence of temporal good things; the providence of God lays and spreads a table for his people in the wilderness, and sets them down at it, and bids them welcome to it; see Psalm 78:19 ; and in a way of grace, the Lord making large provisions in his house for them, called the goodness and fatness of his house, and a feast of fat things; and under the Gospel dispensation, the table of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me ,.... Either the free grace, love, favour, and mercy of God in Christ, which endures continually, and is always the same from everlasting to everlasting; or the effects of it; and these either temporal good things, which flow from the goodness and mercy of God, and not the merits of men; and which are in great mercy and loving kindness bestowed on his people, and which follow them: they do not anxiously seek after them; but seeking the kingdom of God... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 23:3

He restoreth my soul - Brings back my life from destruction; and converts my soul from sin, that it may not eternally perish. Or, after it has backslidden from him, heals its backslidings, and restores it to his favor. See the old paraphrase on this clause in the preceding note. In the paths of righteousness - צדק במעגלי bemageley tsedek , "in the circuits" or "orbits of righteousness." In many places of Scripture man appears to be represented under the notion of a secondary planet... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - The reference is still to the shepherd. Though I, as one of the flock, should walk through the most dismal valley, in the dead of the night, exposed to pitfalls, precipices, devouring beasts, etc., I should fear no evil under the guidance and protection of such a Shepherd. He knows all the passes, dangerous defiles, hidden pits, and abrupt precipices in the way; and he will guide me around, about, and through them. See the phrase... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 23:5

Thou preparest a table before me - Here the second allegory begins. A magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host; who has not only the bounty to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security. This may refer to the favor God gave the poor captive Israelites in the sight of the Chaldeans who had grievously treated them for seventy years; and whose king,... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 23:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 23:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 23:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 23:6

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 23:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 23:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 23:5

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