King James Version
Psalms 23
6 verses with commentary
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.</strong> This beloved opening of Scripture's most famous psalm establishes a profound metaphor that shapes the entire poem. In six Hebrew words (יְהוָה רֹעִי לֹא אֶחְסָר/<em>Yahweh ro'i lo echsar</em>), David declares complete sufficiency in God's care.<br><br>"The LORD" (יְהוָה/<em>Yahweh</em>) uses God's covenant name—the personal name revealed ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Shepherd.**—This image, as applied to God, appears in Hebrew literature first (Genesis 48:15; Genesis 49:24) of his relation to the individual (comp. Psalm 119:176); as the shepherd of His people the image is much more frequent (Psalm 78:52; Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; Isaiah 63:11; Ezekiel 34; Micah 7:14).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-10. If they be afflicted, it is no proof that they are hypocrites, as the friends maintain, or that God disregards them, and is indifferent whether men are good or bad, as Job asserts: God is thereby "disciplining them," and "showing them their sins," and if they bow in a right spirit under God's visiting hand, the greatest blessings ensue.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 23
Confidence in God's grace and care.
--"The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skil...
Read full commentary →He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. green: Heb. pastures of tender grass still: Heb. waters of quietness
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KJV Study Commentary
The shepherd imagery shifts to God's provision of rest and refreshment through two parallel phrases. 'Green pastures' (literally 'pastures of tender grass') represent abundant provision, while 'still waters' (literally 'waters of rest') suggest peace and safety—sheep fear rushing water. The causative Hebrew verbs emphasize God's active leading and enabling, not passive observation. This verse anti...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) The verbs in these verses are not to be understood as futures, but as presents, describing the customary condition of the poet. “The psalmist describes himself as one of Jehovah’s flock, safe under His care, absolved from all anxieties by the sense of this protection, and gaining from this confidence of safety the leisure to enjoy, without satiety, all the simple pleasures which make up life—t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-10. If they be afflicted, it is no proof that they are hypocrites, as the friends maintain, or that God disregards them, and is indifferent whether men are good or bad, as Job asserts: God is thereby "disciplining them," and "showing them their sins," and if they bow in a right spirit under God's visiting hand, the greatest blessings ensue.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 23
Confidence in God's grace and care.
--"The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skil...
Read full commentary →He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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KJV Study Commentary
The Hebrew 'nephesh' (soul) encompasses the whole person—life, vitality, and being—not merely emotions. 'Restoreth' (shuwb) means to return, turn back, or bring back, suggesting restoration from wandering or depletion. The phrase 'paths of righteousness' (literally 'tracks of rightness') indicates God's guidance along right ways. The motivation 'for his name's sake' reveals that God's glory, not o...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Restoreth my soul**—*i.e., *refresheth, recreateth, quickeneth.
**For his name’s sake.**—God’s providential dealings are recognised as in accordance with His character for great graciousness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-10. If they be afflicted, it is no proof that they are hypocrites, as the friends maintain, or that God disregards them, and is indifferent whether men are good or bad, as Job asserts: God is thereby "disciplining them," and "showing them their sins," and if they bow in a right spirit under God's visiting hand, the greatest blessings ensue.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 23
Confidence in God's grace and care.
--"The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skil...
Read full commentary →Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.</strong> This verse represents the psalm's dramatic shift from peaceful pastures to the darkest valley, yet the shepherd's presence transforms fear into courage. The Hebrew phrase <em>gey tsalmaveth</em> (גֵּיא צַלְמָוֶת) literally means "valley of...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **The valley of the shadow of death . . .**—This striking expression, to which the genius of Bunyan has given such reality, was probably on Hebrew lips nothing more than a forcible synonym for a dark, gloomy place. Indeed, the probability is that instead of *tsal-mâveth *(shadow of death), should be read, *tsalmûth *(shadow, darkness), the general signification being all that is required in an...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. serve--**that is, worship; as in Is 19:23. God is to be supplied (compare Is 1:19, 20).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 23
Confidence in God's grace and care.
--"The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skil...
Read full commentary →Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. anointest: Heb. makest fat
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KJV Study Commentary
The imagery transitions from pastoral to hospitality, depicting God as the generous host who provides abundantly even 'in the presence of mine enemies.' The table fellowship signifies covenant protection and provision. Anointing with oil was a sign of honor and joy in ancient Near Eastern culture, while the overflowing cup represents extravagant blessing beyond mere sufficiency. This verse points ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) Such a sudden transition from the figure of the flock to that of a banquet is characteristic of Hebrew poetry.
**Preparest**—*i.e., spreadest *or *furnishest, *the usual phrase (Proverbs 9:2; Isaiah 21:5). (For the same figure of the hospitable host applied to God, see Job 36:16; Isaiah 25:6; and the well-known parables in the New Testament.)
**In the presence of** **mine enemies.**—We must im...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12. (Job 33:18).
**without knowledge--**that is, on account of their foolishness (Job 4:20, 21).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 23
Confidence in God's grace and care.
--"The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skil...
Read full commentary →Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever . for ever: Heb. to length of days
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The psalm concludes with confident assurance rooted in God's covenant faithfulness. 'Goodness and mercy' (Hebrew 'tov' and 'chesed'—loving-kindness or covenant love) personified as pursuers reverse the typical imagery of being hunted by enemies. The phrase 'all the days of my life' encompasses temporal existence, while 'dwell in the house of the LORD for ever' speaks to eternal communion, foreshad...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **I will dwell.**—As the text stands it must be translated *I will return *(*and abide*)* in the house of Jehovah.*
**The house of the Lord **can hardly be anything but the Temple; though some commentators treat this even as figurative of membership in the Divine family.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
13-15. Same sentiment as Job 36:11, 12, expanded.
**hypocrites--**or, the ungodly [Maurer]; but "hypocrites" is perhaps a distinct class from the openly wicked (Job 36:12).
**heap up wrath--**of God against themselves (Ro 2:5). Umbreit translates, "nourish their wrath against God," instead of "crying" unto Him. This suits well the parallelism and the Hebrew. But the English Version gives a goo...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 23
Confidence in God's grace and care.
--"The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skil...
Read full commentary →