Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word
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⚙ Annotations & References ▾
Passage sections 1 ▾
The LORD Is My Shepherd poetry 23:1–23:6
Themes 6 ▾
Providence 1, 5 Shepherd 1-2, 4 Water and Living Water 2 Righteousness 3 Peace 5 Blessing and Curse 5
Symbols 1 ▾
Oil liturgical 5
Speakers 1 ▾
David human 1-6
Prophecies 1 ▾
The Good Shepherd 1
Typology 1 ▾
David as Shepherd-King Prefiguring Christ 1
Historic voices 11 ▾
Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews 1× 1 Commentary on the Book of Psalms 1× 1-6 Commentary on the Gospel According to John 1× 1 Summa Theologica 2× 1, 8 Homilies on the Epistle to the Romans 1× 2 Catechism of the Catholic Church 1× 5 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 1× 1-6 Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament 1× 1, 4, 6 Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 1× 1 Expositions on the Psalms 1× 1-5 Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary 1× 2-5
Manuscript witnesses 5 ▾
Codex Sinaiticus Aleph c. AD 330-360 Codex Vaticanus B c. AD 300-325 Codex Alexandrinus A c. AD 400-440 Aleppo Codex (Crown of Aleppo) c. AD 930 Leningrad Codex (Codex Leningradensis) AD 1008
Cross-references 116 ▾
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What is Psalms 23 about?

David, the shepherd-king who once kept his father's flocks near Bethlehem, draws on that vocation to name the LORD his own Shepherd. He confesses that under such care he shall not want, being led beside still waters, through the valley of the shadow of death, and to a table spread before his enemies. His closing certainty is that goodness and mercy will follow him all his days and that he will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Set within the prayers and praises of God's people, this trust gives voice to faith in every circumstance and points ahead to the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

Historical backdrop

These are the songbook of a nation, sung across a thousand years of Israel's worship, from Moses in the wilderness to the exiles returned from Babylon. They were carried from the tabernacle to Solomon's temple to the second temple rebuilt under Persia, set to the lyre and the harp and the clash of cymbals in the courts of the LORD.

Matthew Henry on Psalms 23
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 23
The Church Fathers on Psalms 23
Cited by the confessions

Psalms 23

Psalms Chapter 23
23
1Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Yea, 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.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.
← Chapter 22 Chapter 24 →
What is Psalms 23 about?

David, the shepherd-king who once kept his father's flocks near Bethlehem, draws on that vocation to name the LORD his own Shepherd. He confesses that under such care he shall not want, being led beside still waters, through the valley of the shadow of death, and to a table spread before his enemies. His closing certainty is that goodness and mercy will follow him all his days and that he will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Set within the prayers and praises of God's people, this trust gives voice to faith in every circumstance and points ahead to the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.