David reflected on God's many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future.
"Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Its peace is not escape; its contentment is not complacency: there is readiness to face deep darkness and imminent attack, and the climax reveals a love which homes towards no material goal but to the Lord Himself."64
23:1 David compared Yahweh to a shepherd as he reviewed His blessings on his life (cf. 28:9; 80:1). This was a familiar role for David who had been a shepherd of sheep as a youth and who later became a shepherd of God's people as their king. Other ancient Near Eastern kings also described themselves as the shepherds of their nations.65Isaiah later referred to Messiah as a shepherd (Isa. 40:11). This title was one Jesus Christ claimed for Himself (John 10:14) and that the New Testament writers used for Him (Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 5:4). As David's shepherd, the Lord provided all David needed.
23:2a As his shepherd, God provided David with spiritual rest and nourishment. Food for the soul is the Word of God (Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:2) that the Lord's under-shepherds are responsible to give His people (Ezek. 34:1-10; John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2).
23:2b-3a The Lord also provides spiritual refreshment and restoration. These benefits come to us as we take advantage of God's provision of the water of life, the living and written Word of God (John 4:10-14; Eph. 5:26). God renews our strength and cleanses us through these instruments.
23:3b God also gives His sheep guidance in the proper path of life so we do not wander aimlessly. He does so in part for the sake of His own reputation as One who has promised to direct His people.
23:4 Protection is the fourth blessing for which David gave God praise. The promises of the Lord's presence assure us of His protection in times of danger when we fear (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5). The shepherd's rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) beat off attacking animals and his staff (walking stick) kept the sheep away from physical dangers such as precipices. Likewise God comes to the defense of His people when our spiritual enemies attack us. He also prevents us from getting into spiritually dangerous situations that would result in our destruction (cf. Matt. 6:13).
In this verse David described God as a host rather than as a shepherd. As a gracious host God provides hospitality for His people. He supplies us with what we need and desire lavishly, and He does so not by removing us from the presence of our spiritual enemies but in their presence. In the ancient East a thoughtful host would welcome someone into the protection of his home by pouring some oil on his head (cf. Luke 7:46). This was refreshing and soothing for a weary traveler. The anointing with oil in Scripture pictured God's bestowal of His Holy Spirit on the believer (Exod. 40:9-16; Lev. 8; 1 Sam. 10:1; 16:13; 1 Kings 1:39; et al.).66David's cup symbolized his lot in life that overflowed with abundant blessings.
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.
