Psalm 23 Study Notes
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23:1 The Lord is often referred to as the shepherd of his people, Israel (74:1; 80:1; Is 40:11; Ezk 34:11-16). In the ancient Near East, kings were commonly known as the shepherds of their people. Since the Lord is the true King, the title shepherd is most appropriate.
23:2-3 Lets me lie down is a Hebrew form implying causality, showing that God is the cause of the refreshment. On renews my life, see note at 19:7-9. Right paths might have a twofold idea. In keeping with the shepherd and sheep image, it can mean safe paths that are free from danger. In the larger context of Wisdom literature it refers to paths of righteousness, though usually that would contrast one path of life with another leading to death. The former idea is probably the primary meaning here.
23:4 Some argue that the Hebrew term tsalmaweth is related to an Akkadian word (tselem) that means “deep darkness.” Others say it comes from two Hebrew words, tsal and moth, and means “shadow of death.” It occurs approximately twenty times in the OT. It is clear that it implies intense darkness that represents extreme danger (Jb 10:21; 28:3; Jr 2:6). “Darkest” fits this specific context, since it is in the darkest valley where the greatest danger (such as a predator) lurks. As the psalmist encounters this challenge, he switches from the third person to the second person—he stops talking about the Lord and talks to the Lord.
shevet
| Hebrew pronunciation | [SHAY vet] |
| CSB translation | scepter, rod, tribe |
| Uses in Psalms | 16 |
| Uses in the OT | 190 |
| Focus passage | Psalm 23:4 |
Shevet means rod. It indicates shepherds’ rods (Ezk 20:37), used for counting (Lv 27:32) or protection (Ps 23:4). Shevet is also associated with applying discipline (Pr 13:24). Used symbolically of fury’s power (Pr 22:8), shevet as scepter connotes discipline (Is 11:4) or punishment (Jb 37:13). Assyria was the rod of God’s anger against Israel (Is 10:5). Shevet can be a military weapon, a club (2Sm 23:21) or spear (2Sm 18:14). Shevet as a symbol of power meant scepter (Gn 49:10) or staff (Jdg 5:14) of rule. It could represent one kingdom’s destructive power over another (Is 14:29). A scepter of justice implies righteous rule (Ps 45:6). Shevet apparently became identified with those ruled in the most common denotation tribe. The phrase “tribes of Israel” occurs forty-eight times (Gn 49:28). Israel can be a shevet (Jr 10:16).
23:5 The image shifts from shepherd to friend. The identification of the Lord with a shepherd emphasizes his care and protection, but he is much more than that for a person who is in close fellowship with him. While protection from enemies is still implied, it is intensified with the image of a banquet (table) that is served while the enemies look on. In Jewish society oil was a symbol for rejoicing (104:15) and was also used in the welcoming of guests (45:7; 92:10; Lk 7:46).
23:6 The verb pursue is commonly used for attackers, but here the Lord’s goodness and faithful love are personified as the ones who chased the psalmist throughout his life. As long as I live represents the Hebrew “for the length of days.” This is equivalent to the parallel all the days of my life. Though some translate this as “forever,” it is nowhere else used that way but always refers to one’s earthly life (91:16; Pr 3:2,16). Dwell (Hb yashav) is similar to the word for “return” (Hb shuv). In this verbal form, it differs only in the vowels. It is possible that the request is to return to the sanctuary of the Lord throughout one’s life, although the preposition in argues for the idea of “dwell.”