This psalm is asserted in the title to have been composed by David, and there is nothing in its contents contrary to this supposition, as there is nothing in it that would lead us necessarily to ascribe it to him. The contents of the psalm indeed correspond with the facts of his history, and with the recollections of his early life as a shepherd; but it is such as might have been composed by anyone who had been, and in fact by anyone though he had not been, a shepherd, as the images in it are such as are common in all poetry. Still, there is nothing to lead us to doubt that it was written by David.
It is wholly uncertain on what occasion the psalm was composed, since there are in the psalm no historical references, no indications of time, and no allusions to any circumstances in the life of the author. It is impossible even to determine whether it was composed in a time of prosperity or adversity; whether when the author was persecuted, or when he was prosperous and triumphant. The only apparent allusion to any circumstance of the poet’s life is in Psalms 23:6, where he says, as the crowning joy which he anticipated, that he would “dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” from which it has been inferred by some that he was then in exile. But this allusion is of too general a character to justify this inference with certainty. Such a hope might be expressed by anyone in any circumstances, as the highest desire of a pious heart. Kimchi supposes that the psalm was composed by David in the wilderness of Hareth 1 Samuel 22:5; and that it pertained to the people of Israel, and to their return from exile. But this is mere conjecture. The Aramaic Paraphrase applies the psalm to the Hebrew people when delivered from captivity and exile, as a song of triumph on their return to their own land. Rudinger, and John D. Michaelis, suppose that it refers to the time when David had obtained a complete victory over all his enemies - when the rebellion of Absalom was quelled, when he was seated quietly on throne. Probably, if we are to to fix a time, it was at that period of life - an advanced period - when the recollection of the merciful interpositic of God in his behalf so often would suggest the brightest image of his earlier years, the watchful care which he as a shepherd had extended over his own flock - a care which God had now extended over him in the perils of his own life. Still, all this is no more than conjecture.
The psalm has always been regarded as one of exquisite beauty. The main subject is the watchful care which God had extended over the author, and the consequent assurance which he felt that God would still watch over him, and supply all his need. The leading thought - the essential idea - is, his full belief that God would provide for him, and that he would never be left to want. This is the thought with which the psalm commences: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want:” and this thought is carried through the psalm. It is illustrated by two facts or images:
(a) That God was his shepherd; that He had always manifested toward him (David) the care which a shepherd takes of his flock, Psalms 23:1-3; and
(b) That God had prepared a table before him (David) in the very presence of his enemies, or that he had abundantly led for him in their very sight, when they were endeavoring to destroy him - thus giving him the assurance that God never would leave him, Psalms 23:5.
The psalm, therefore, may be regarded as consisting of two main parts:
I. The general subject of the psalm - the confidence of the author in God - the assurance that he would always so provide for him that he would not want, Psalms 23:1.
II. The grounds or reasons for this confidence, Psalms 23:2-6. These are twofold:
(1) An argument derived from the care of God over him as a shepherd, Psalms 23:2-4.
(a) The statement of the fact, Psalms 23:2-3.
(b) The argument, Psalms 23:4. From his experience of the divine care in the past, he says that he would not be afraid even to descend into the valley of death.
(2) an argument derived from the fact that God had provided for him in the very presence of his enemies,Psalms 23:5-6 Psalms 23:5-6.
(a) The statement of the fact; or a reference to his life, during which God had shown the same care and goodness as if He had spread a table for him even in the sight of his enemies, Psalms 23:5.
(b) The confident assurance, derived from that fact, that God would follow him with goodness and mercy all the days of his life; that his future course would be as if he were always to dwell in the house of the Lord, Psalms 23:6.