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Psalm 23 - An Exegesis


  


A Psalm of David (Psalm 23:1-6)

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, and he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 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.” (NIV)[1].

 

EXEGESIS

            Psalm 23 is a psalm of David as it is described in its title. This has been historically used by the church in times of grief and sickness as a comforting psalm. It talks about the care, providence and protection assured by God to the believers. The message of the psalm is that God is present in the threatening situations of life and brings comfort and peace. It encourages the readers to rejoice and celebrate with thanksgiving because God cares about them.

 

            Though the psalm is categorized by many scholars as one of comfort, there are praises and thanksgivings along with some confessions.  Brueggemann argues that we go through rhythms of orientation to disorientation to re-orientation—it is part of the natural human experience. He classified the psalms to fit in these three categories[2].  In times of uncertainties and the future seems bleak and out control, we move from orientation to disorientation. As people of faith, we are invited to move towards re-orientation.  Psalms 23 is a compilation of the entire rhythm of the human experience.  The first three verses are of orientation: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” where life looks good, happy and blessed.  It continues with the disorientation phase describing the “darkest valley” of trauma and suffering.  Later on there is re-orientation when he declares: “For you are with me” affirming God’s presence in the midst of our suffering.

 

            The verses are written in metaphorical language that merges realities of life as a shepherd.  One observation is about having three structures to the psalm where the Shepherd who goes before the sheep (verses 1-3), the Shepherd who goes with the sheep (verse-4) and the Shepherd who follows the sheep (verses 5-6) showing the all-encompassing protection of God around His people.  The setting of the psalm is not clear. Yet the probability is of a setting in an exilic time as we see the hope of moving towards the temple.  There are metaphors of God being the shepherd and humanity being the sheep.  David who is credited for authoring this psalm was a shepherd boy when Samuel the prophet anointed him to become the future king of Israel[3]. He knows that the responsibility of a shepherd is to protect and feed the sheep.

 

            Psalm 23 touches the inner being bringing peace, feelings of gratitude, and a sense of awe for the goodness of the Lord and by singing it we strive to bring peace and hope in our lives and in turn to a world that is full of evil and suffering.  This Psalm has become a favorite for believers through the centuries for that reason. The six verses are a short “self-contained” picture of our relationship with God. The intimate relationship promises comfort and protection as we remain closer to God. The psalm identifies a personal relationship that demonstrates the need of human beings that can only be met by an all sufficient God. The psalm can be read as a story with action, testimony, characterization and plot and hence a lot of people have it memorized.

 

            The key words found in this Psalm are: 'lead, guard, nourish, guard and protect.'  These are all the duties of a shepherd. The opening verse establishes a metaphoric theme whereby The Lord is the Shepherd and the Psalmist is the sheep.  This metaphor is one that can be easily understood by a world where sheep and shepherds were very common.  The expression, “my shepherd” gives a personal association with the shepherd.  The helpless state of the sheep makes it completely dependent on the providence and the care of the Shepherd. The Lord has been caring for him for all his life and met all his needs just like a caring shepherd cares for the sheep.  This reference can be a recollection of the care of God for His ancestors while they were travelling in the desert from Egypt to the Promised Land where the scripture notes: “You lacked nothing.”[4]

 

            It is interesting to note that the writer subtly switches grammatical person several times from the first person to second and third. The first three verses addresses God in the third person (He leads, He restores).  Then the style changes to a personal testimony of the experience of being in the presence of God. In the midst of a fearful but personal experience of danger and threat that he confronted, he was not afraid because his Shepherd is with him.  Here he directly addresses God, “You are with me” which is more of significant closer personal touch.  As the darkness grows, the shadow grows darker and yet the closer the Lord stays to him leaving him fearless. The metaphor of ‘rod and staff’ signifies protection and possibly provision. One can be seen as a tool of defense while the other can be used as a tool for guiding and for securing provisions. Later the metaphor changes to that of a host and the guest.  The Lord becomes the host who prepares the table for him in front of enemy’s threats. The picture is one realization of an ultimate communion with God. The banquet can be seen as a celebration of our ultimate life in eternity as described in the book of Revelation.[5]  To dine at God’s table is to enjoy the fellowship and communion with Him. The Psalmist ends with the confidence that God’s unfailing love will follow him all the days of his life, just like it was following him all the days in the past. This gives him reason to worship the Lord always.

 

            The metaphor of God as a shepherd is seen several times in the Bible like the prophet Isaiah portrays God as a caring and loving shepherd.[6] The theological idea of the Good Shepherd is referenced in the prophecy of Jeremiah[7] and by the Lord Jesus Christ[8].  The Messiah is the great shepherd as referred to by the writer of Hebrews.[9]  The Old Testament theology of shepherding of the Lord has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus himself claimed, “I am the good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep.”[10]  Here Jesus extends the protection, care and sustenance of the sheep to all the people in the world.  The paradigm of leadership as a shepherd can be compared to the duties of the King to his people. The guiding of the flock in the ways of righteousness can be seen as the duties of the priest. Jesus Christ is both the King[11] and the High Priest.[12]  Jesus has been given “all authority in heaven and earth”[13] and His name has been exalted above all names. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords[14]. One day He will return to establish His kingdom on this earth

 

            In spite of the confusing and perilous times in which we live, this psalm is a song that resonates with the times, reminding us that we can have hope because we belong to the Great Shepherd who created the universe, sustains it and redeems it. That is a song worth singing! Isaac Watts put this in his own words in a hymn: “The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days; O may Your House be my abode, and all my work be praise. There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come; no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home.”  (Isaac Watts, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” 1719.)

 

             

Other Resources used and Bibliography

1.                  New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America

2.                  The King James Version ©1987

3.                  Matthew Henry, Commentary of the Old Testament

4.                  Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011

5.                  The New Interpreter’s Study Bible, Nashville, Abingdon press. 2003

6.                  Green, Joel B. and Willimon, William H., General Editors. The Wesley Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2009.

7.                  Interpreter’s One-volume commentary on the Bible, Abingdon press, 1990

 


[1] Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® 2011

[2] Brueggemann, Walter. Spirituality of the Psalms. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2001 (p.9)

[3] 1 Samuel 16

[4] Deuteronomy 2:7,  Psalm 78:52

[5] Revelation 19;9, Revelation 3:20

[6] Isaiah 40:11

[7] Jeremiah 3:15

[8] John 10:11

[9] Hebrews 13:10

[10] John 10:11

[11] Luke 1:32,33

[12] Hebrews 4:14

[13] Matthew 28:18

[14] Revelation 19:17



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