Psalms 23 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Bible Comments

  • Psalms 23:1 open_in_new

    Title.. Psalm. See App-65. See note on title of Psalms 22.

    The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah.

    The LORD... my shepherd. One of the Jehovah Titles. See App-4, "Jehovah-Ro'i". Figures of Speech. Metaphor and Anthropopatheia. App-6.

    not want. Because "Jehovah will provide", Jehovah-Jireh. See App-4.

  • Psalms 23:2 open_in_new

    maketh me. causeth me (implying continuance).

    lie down. We need making so as to feed, and not trample the pastures down.

    green pastures. choice pastures. Hebrew "pastures of tender grass".

    leadeth me. causeth me to rest. Hebrew. nahal, to lead flocks.

    still waters. Hebrew "waters of rests", JEHOVAH-SHALOM. App-4.

  • Psalms 23:3 open_in_new

    restoreth. bringeth back, as in Psalms 19:8, JEHOVAH-ROPKEKA. App-4.

    soul. Hebrew. nephesh.

    leadeth. Hebrew. nahal, to guide, conduct.

    paths of righteousness. righteous paths. JEHOVAH-ZIDKENU. App-4.

    name's. own. See note on Psalms 20:1.

  • Psalms 23:4 open_in_new

    Yea. Moreover.

    through. Not into; but "through", and out of it, into resurrection life.

    valley, &c.. a valley of deep shade: may include (but not necessarily) death's dark valley.

    evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44.

    Thou art with me. JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH. App-4.

    rod and... staff. club and... crook. The only two things carried by the shepherd; the former for defense, the latter for help. The club for the sheep's enemies, the crook for the sheep's defense.. lesson for pastors to-day.

    comfort. gently lead. Same word as "leadeth" in Psalms 23:2.

  • Psalms 23:5 open_in_new

    preparest. settest in order.

    table. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for what is on it. So that. may feast while He fights. JEHOVAH-NISSI. App-4. The figure of the sheep is continued: for the "table" of Psalms 23:5 answers to the "pastures" of Psalms 23:2.

    enemies. adversaries.

    anointest. JEHOVAH-MEKADDISHKEM. App-4. Still referring to the sheep and the Shepherd's care: for the figure of the "sheep" is carried right through the Psalm.

    cup: i.e. the Shepherd's cup of water for the sheep.

    runneth over. See note on Psalms 73:10.

  • Psalms 23:6 open_in_new

    mercy. lovingkindness, or grace.

    follow. = follow after, or closely. In Hebrew present put for future.

    for ever. evermore. Hebrew "to length of days".