Psalm 23. Shepherd, companion and host The threefold testimony, I shall lack nothing (1), I will fear no evil (4) and I will dwell (6) encapsulates the psalm, dividing it into three parts: the sheep and the Shepherd (1-3), the traveller and the Companion (4) and the guest and the Host (5, 6), respectively teaching the providence of God, appointing life’s experiences, his protection over life’s pathway, and his provision now and always. 1-3 These verses major on experiences of plenty (green pastures), peace (waters, lit. ‘of every sort of rest’) and renewal (restores my soul, see 19:7). The principle behind our experiences is that he chooses paths of righteousness for us, paths that are ‘right with him’, making sense to him. In this he acts for his name’s sake, in accordance with his revealed character. 4 In contrast with the joyous experiences of the sheep (1-3), the pilgrim pathway traverses harsher terrain. Shadow of death is really ‘deepest darkness’ which includes, of course, the darkness of death. But in these experiences the he of vs 1-3 becomes the you, significant of closer personal touch, and the leader (2) comes alongside (with me). The darker the shadow, the closer the Lord! And he brings every strength, rod and staff. The duplication denotes completeness. Rod (Lv. 27:32) possibly signifies protection; staff, possibly, support (Ex. 21:19). 5, 6 A table... in the presence of... enemies, cf. 2 Samuel 17:27-29 when David could have discerned the hand of God in Barzillai’s care in [p. 500] the face of Absalom. By alluding to both hostile circumstances (4) and hostile people (5) the psalm affirms care in every emergency. The anointed head speaks of the Lord’s welcome; the overflowing cup his lavish provision. But this goodness and love will continue as long as life lasts (lit. ‘to length of days’) and beyond there lies the house of the Lord for ever. Dwell is a traditional adjustment of the Hebrew text and may be correct, but lit. ‘I will return to the house’, i.e. when earth’s paths (2, 3), valleys and threats(5) are over, there comes the real return home.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 16:34:11 +0000