David realized God's good loyal love (Heb. hesed) would pursue him throughout his life. To follow here does not mean to bring up the rear but to pursue vigorously (cf. 83:15).67The phrase "goodness and lovingkindness"(NASB) or "goodness and love"(NIV) is a figure of speech (hendiadys) that we could render "good lovingkindness."
Dwelling in the Lord's house (i.e., the sanctuary in Jerusalem) was a picture of enjoying full communion and fellowship with the Lord. The word translated "dwell"in the Hebrew text implies dwelling after returning there rather than dwelling already being there. Evidently David was not in the sanctuary when he composed this psalm but looked forward to returning to it again and often.
"It is . . . unlikely that Psalm 23 refers to an afterlife in God's presence, though verses 4 and 6 in particular have sometimes been so understood. Verse 4 refers to the divine shepherd guiding his lamb (the psalmist) through a dangerous dark valley (a symbol for the danger posed by his enemies, cf. v. 5). In verse 6 the psalmist expressed his confidence that he would have access to God's presence (the house of the Lord' refers to the earthly Tabernacle or Temple; cf. Judg. 19:18; NIV's forever' translates a Hebrew phrase (orek yamim, lit. length of days'), which, when used elsewhere of men, usually refers to a lengthy period of time (such as one's lifetime), not eternity (cf. Deut. 30:20; Job 12:12; Ps. 91:16; Prov. 3:2, 16; Lam. 5:20). . . .
"While the psalmist may not have been speaking specifically of an afterlife in God's presence, in the progress of revelation his words come to express such a hope for God's people, who now understand the full ramifications of the psalm's affirmation that God protects His own. In the same way the statements in Psalms 17:15; 49:15; and 73:24 become, on the lips of a Christian, a testimony of faith in God's final vindication of the righteous, even beyond the grave."68
The Lord's goodness to His people as seen in His leading and providing for us should motivate us to appreciate our security in Him and to abide in fellowship with Him.69
If you anticipate or are presently doing pastoral ministry, try putting your name in the place of the shepherd as you read this psalm. This exercise will help you evaluate your effectiveness.
