About the author

David (Hebrew: ‫ דָּ ו ִיד‬,‫דָּ ו ִד‬, Modern David Tiberian Dāwîḏ ; beloved) was the second king

of the united Kingdom of Israel according to the Hebrew Bible. He is depicted as a
righteous king, although not without fault, as well as an acclaimed warrior, musician and
poet, traditionally credited for composing many of the psalms contained in the Book
of Psalms.

David's life is particularly important to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic culture. In Judaism,

David, or Melekh David, is the King of Israel, and the Jewish people. A direct
descendant of David will be the Mashiach. In Christianity David is known as an ancestor
of Jesus' adoptive father Joseph, and in Islam, he is known as Dawood,considered to
be a prophet and the king of a nation.

David the Musician

In various biblical passages, David is referred to as “the favorite of the songs of Israel,” the one who
soothed Saul with music, and the founder of Temple singing. A Psalms scroll from the Dead Sea Scrolls 
attributes 3600 tehilim (songs of praise) plus other compositions to David. Seventy-three of the 150
Psalms in the Bible are attributed to David.] The supreme kingship of Yahweh is the most pervasive
theological concept in the book of Psalms, and many psalms attributed to David are directed to Yahweh
by name, whether in praise or petition, suggesting a relationship. According to the Midrash Tehillim, King
David was prompted to the Psalms by the Holy Spirit that rested upon him.

Psalm 23 portrays God as a shepherd, feeding (verse 1) and leading (verse 3) his flock. The "rod and
staff" (verse 4) are also the implements of a shepherd. Some commentators see the shepherd imagery
pervading the entire psalm. J. Douglas MacMillan argues that "you prepare a table for me" in verse 5
refers to the "old oriental shepherding practice" of using little raised tables to feed sheep. Similarly, "you
anoint my head with oil" may refer to an ancient form of backliner - the oil is poured on wounds, and
repels flies. MacMillan also notes that "Goodness and mercy" in verse 6 remind him of
two sheepdogs coming behind the flock.