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AJ Moyes
BITH 345
Dr. Hill
November 17th, 2020

Psalm 23 Interpretation

Psalm 23 is arguably one of the most notable Psalms in the bible. Written and reflected
by David, it contains a real sense of faith and provision. To categorize this psalm would leave us
with a feeling of trust and hope. One could say the sub genre is that of trust in the Lord our God.
It is not necessarily a song of lament, for David is not weeping or expressing a downcast
emotion. It also is not a song of praise as also found very frequently throughout the psalms. It is
instead reflective. David is remembering and teaching the reader. David is also subconsciously
writing this psalm for his future self. It serves as a reminder in future times of loneliness or
trouble.
The best interpretation of Psalm 23 would be to break down each of the six verses written
by David about the Lord. Finding parallelism and imagery between the lines of each verse will
enhance one’s knowledge of the psalm itself, the author David for who he is, and the loving
nature of God. The 23rd psalm is located in Book I of a five part series within the overall book of
the bible and is broken into six verses. The structure could be described as short, but extremely
dense. The position of this psalm in the book of Psalms in general even has significance. To
understand this psalm of David, it is important to completely digest verse 1 for what it is and let
it frame your mind for the rest of the psalm.

v.1 “The Lord is my shepherd,

I {shall not want / lack nothing}.”

The Lord being a shepherd is extremely significant to David. More specifically it is the
backbone of this entire message. David himself before he was anointed king was a shepherd out
in the field. For David to say this about God is very mature. Even the shepherd needs a shepherd,
and that is what David is saying. Obviously we know that the job entails protecting and
providing for “sheep” that can not suffice on their own. A parallel that proves this statement
would be In 1 Samuel 17:34-36, David tells Saul this story from his life as a shepherd, “Thy
servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the
flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered ​it ​out of his mouth: and when he
arose against me, I caught ​him ​by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both
the lion and the bear…” It takes a shepherd to know one. A shepherd in this case is protecting
(defensive) but also entails fighting (offensive). God is both offense and defense in the author’s
eyes. David states that the Lord ​is ​my shepherd. The word “is” makes this verse present tense,
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meaning that it is still true today. It was true in the time of David and in the time of the reader.
David recognized that he needs someone to provide for him everyday of his life. The fact that
David recognizes the Lord as his shepherd, inherently refers to himself as the “sheep.” David
needs this protection, and has received it. This psalm was written to remember and trust the Lord
blindly, just as a sheep would. It is also interesting to note the word “my.” The Lord is ​my
shepherd. David personalizes the message. You get a sense that the author actually feels that this
proclamation is true. He could have said, “The Lord is everyone’s shepherd,” or “The Lord is the
world’s shepherd,” both of which are true. David chooses to personalize this message for the
simple reason that the reader can personalize it as well. When someone reads in first person it is
easier to picture yourself in that scenario. David felt God was his shepherd and knows the same
about your heavenly father.
The second part of this verse could be translated two ways. First, “The Lord is my
shepherd, I shall not want.” It is a positive note. The shepherd is able to supply all your needs,
and He does so willingly. It is a testament to the uncontrollables and the simple things in this life.
Many parallels contain imagery towards this part of the verse. Luke 12:24 states “Consider the
ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how
much more valuable you are than birds!” Or even Matthew 6:31 “Therefore do not worry,
saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all
these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”
God is providing for animals, relating back to sheep in this sense. God is able to care for humans
even more is what David is saying. It could also be translated to “The Lord is my shepherd, I
lack nothing.” Another parallel brings us to Psalm 34:10 “The young lions do lack and suffer
hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.” Here again we see
the importance of “shall not be in want.” The psalmist does not mean we will never want
anything; he means we will not be in need. That is, we can trust God for the essentials of life and
he will lead us. This leads us into the next few verses:

v.2-3 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters,
he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

Now the genre of this Psalm is a song of trust. The present action verb “make” in this
verse may catch some people off guard and feel threatened. David is portraying quite the
opposite. When David says that God makes him lie down, he’s not communicating the idea of
force​. He’s not saying that God ​forces​ him to lie down. The parallel word is leadeth. God takes
his sheep to green pastures. He gently leads us there (Spurgeon, 2018). The vivid imagery
written here by David is on purpose and gives the reader a picture of what being a sheep is like.
These luscious green pastures are meant for wandering sheep. The psalmist writes, “He makes
me lie down.” This action of lying down refers to rest. God knows how important rest is to
humans, and to sheep. It means while we are resting, he is working. While the sheep are lying
down and eating the green grass the Lord has provided, God is on the move. God is protecting
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and providing. How much more perfect of a parallel than Matthew 14:19 which states “And he
commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes,
and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the
disciples to the multitude.” If you blinked you probably missed it. It reads “he commanded the
multitude to sit down on the grass,” just as David describes in Psalm 23.
In terms of the Lord leading his sheep beside still waters, sometimes translated to “quiet
waters,” David is not talking about a vigorous stream or river. Some historical and present day
context is that sheep generally do not drink from a water source that is fast moving and rapid.
God knows exactly what you need. God knows what a sheep needs. David paints us a picture of
both eating, drinking, and resting. In the same way, God nourishes us spiritually and
emotionally. His loving care puts our minds at ease, so we can rest peacefully, refreshed and
strengthened.
The second part of the verse “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake,” is
such a big takeaway. God does not reveal every detail of his plan for our lives. However,
developing a close, dependent relationship with the Lord will help us follow him. After all,
David tells us that it is God’s name that is at stake, not ours. God’s reputation is on the line.
God’s name will be tested and ultimately win every time. The plans and the paths the Lord takes
us on are for His glory, not ours. Isaiah 55:8-10 shows us what David is talking about. It reads,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.​ ​For the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than
your thoughts.​ ​For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither,
but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and
bread to the eater.” The Lord has provided and always will, even through the valley.

v.4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for thou art with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

There are many things to grasp from this verse because of its density. To fully understand
the green pastures in verse 2, one has got to remember the valley from verse 4. Some historical
context leads us to assume David is going through a dark period of his life, in this case
represented by the valley. Whether that is being hunted by Saul or still carrying the weight of
disapproval from others including his family. There are many things to take note of. It is
important to note that it was not the substance of death, nor the physical form of it. It was a
shadow. Wherever there is a shadow, there is light (Gray, 2018). A main idea to take away from
this verse is that David was walking. Again, the psalmist writes it so that the reader can also
make it present tense and personal, just as he did. David was walking “through” the valley of the
shadow of death, not “in” it. It is important because David is trying to tell you to not get stuck in
the valley. It is meant to be walked through. It is not a destination, nor is it the end goal. Some
interpretations do not understand the direction David was walking in this scenario, to which I
kindly raise the question: Does it matter? We know from Psalm 37:23 “The steps of the righteous
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man are ordered by God.” An educated interpretation of this psalm would use that parallel to
conclude that ​even if ​David was walking the wrong way through the valley that God still has
aligned and ordered his steps. The psalmist goes on to say, “I will fear no evil.” Again, this does
not mean the absence of evil, after all the reader knows we are in the valley of the shadow of
death.
Any sheep would be terrified of these circumstances, but David will not fear simply
because of the protection of the shepherd. This protection is in the form of the rod and staff. An
unbelievable parallel could be made from Moses in Exodus 4:17. Moses is given a staff from
God and it is used to perform many signs and miracles. What is interesting is that Moses led
hundreds of people out of Egypt with a rod given from God. It is the same for David as he also
recognizes what the staff of God can do in his own life. A shepherd used a staff to guide the
sheep, directing them and setting boundaries for them. A shepherd would also use a rod as a
weapon to fight against predators aimed at the sheep. Simply by guiding them into safe places
and attacking enemies, the shepherd’s staff actually serves a purpose in comforting the sheep,
just as David describes. A lot of people picture this rod to be abusive, but used in the right
context can actually be protective and useful, especially against enemies that are substantially
larger and considerably stronger. The psalm also tells the reader about those enemies.

v.5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Historical context of this verse is very applicable to David’s personal life. The psalmist
knew he was protected from his enemies. God protected David from his enemies throughout his
entire life. David was protected from a murder rampant Saul, he was protected from many
animals like bears and lions that tried to kill his sheep, and he was protected by his own son
Absolom that had evil intentions against David himself. Not to mention the protection from
Goliath or even foreign battle enemies played a big part in the depth of this verse. David is
telling us that God gives us an insurmountable peace and overwhelming protection in the midst
of negative circumstances. God is with us in the valley and has a seat at the table. This picture
the psalmist paints gives a description that God’s protection and power allow David to feast
safely even when surrounded by enemies.
David also tells us that he is anointed. More specifically by oil. He lets us know that even
a sheep can be anointed or called. Toward the end of the day when the shepherd would lead his
sheep back to the sheepfold he would check their heads for wounds and insects. He would have
oil and apply it to abrasions. This would have a healing and refreshing effect on the sheep
(Spurgeon, 2018). Oil during this time was extremely valuable and expensive. This small detail
shows just how valuable the one giving oil thinks how important the one receiving the oil is.
The cup is overflowing. An interpretation of this could mean that it was never meant to
just be filled. God doesn’t want us to think that he is limited in his power or generosity. The
psalmist beautifully infers that there will be suffering, but your cup will always be running over.
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That is with blessing, protection, grace, mercy, faith, and most of all, trust. David recognizes this
gift and declares the Lord’s goodness.

v.6 “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

David switches the perspective to say that just as sheep blindly follow their shepherd,
surely goodness and love will follow the sheep. Christ has promised to never leave us nor
forsake us. An interesting note is that David says “all the days of my life.” The psalmist includes
the dark days in the valley with the bright days on the mountain top. He will dwell in the house
of the Lord. It is about knowing where you stand and who goes before you. Knowing you have a
staff to comfort you through the valley. Knowing that you have the father preparing the table.
Knowing that you are meant to rest and lie down in green pastures. All of this is an example of a
good shepherd, that is the Lord.
This psalm has greatly impacted my own spiritual formation. A lot of times I wander off
like the lost sheep. Sometimes I get discouraged in the “valleys” of my life. One thing I do know
is that I have kept walking, just as David did. I want to thank David for writing this psalm in the
first person so that I may read it just as he did while in the midst of trials or darkness. To fully
understand that he is with me and fighting for me gives me great confidence to stop trying as
hard. I do not have to figure it all out by myself. For he guides me along the right paths! For he
makes me lie down in green pastures! God knows when and how to give me rest. God knows
exactly what I need. I shall not want and I will fear no evil, for God is with me. The greatest
thing about this whole psalm is that the metaphor of a sheep rings true throughout. I am anointed,
called, equipped, and empowered, even as a sheep. David was the youngest and least qualified
according to human standards, but not to God. He anoints his sheep and He blesses them.
God is a very good shepherd and is always looking out for his sheep. This psalm also
shows us that God is fighting battles and enemies that we can and can not see with our own eyes.
The physical location of Psalm 23 is no coincidence. Psalm 22 comes right before which states
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Both of these are written by David. Psalm 22
included anguish and restlessness before God, and Psalm 23 is the first time the reader hears
about these green pastures. David was able to recognize both. This is what makes Psalm 23 so
marvelous. One is not able to truly and absolutely appreciate the green pastures of Psalm 23
without first experiencing the brutal reality and loneliness of Psalm 22. David, who is a
magnificent author, reveals the beauty of suffering and grace throughout the Psalms. Although
the death on the cross came after David’s time this prophetic language about Jesus’ crucifixion
still rang true for his life, and even yours today.
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References

Gray, John W. ​I Am Number 8: Overlooked and Undervalued, but Not Forgotten by God.​ Faith
Words, 2018.

Longman, Tremper. ​How to Read the Psalms.​ IVP, InterVarsity Press, 2005.

Spurgeon, Charles. “Charles H. Spurgeon's Treasury of David Old Testament Only.” ​Charles H.
Spurgeon's Treasury of David - Bible Study Online,​ 2018,
www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=spur.

“Psalm 23 Commentary.” ​Explaining the Book,​ 15 Apr. 2020

www.explainingthebook.com/psalm-23-commentary/.