Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 1 · Commentary on psalm 23
PSAL. XXIII.
David under the similitude of a Shepherd sheweth … love and mercies to his people, whereby their …is confirmed.
A Psalme of David.
IEhovah feedeth me, I shall not lacke. In folds of budding grasse he maketh me lie downe; hee easily leadeth mee by the waters of rests. He returneth my soule, he leadeth me in the beaten paths of justice, for his Name sake. Yea, though I should walk in the valley of the shade of death, I will not feare evill, for thou wilt be with me; thy rod and thy staffe, they shall comfort me. Thou furnishest before me a table in presence of my distressers: thou makest fat my head with oile, my cup is abundant. Doubtlesse, good and mercy shall follow me all the daies of my life, and I shall converse in the house of Iehovah to length of daies.
Annotations.
FEedeth me] or, is my Feeder, my Pastor. The word comprehendeth all duties of a good Herd, as together feeding, guiding, governing, and defending his flocke. Therefore Kings also have this title, and are said to feed their people, Psal. 78. 71, 72. 2 Sam. 5. 2. Hereupon it is attributed to God, and to Christ, feeding his Church, as the Shepherd of their soules, Psal. 80. 2. Ezek. 34. 12, 14, 15. Esay 40. 11. Ioh. 10. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 25. The Chaldee referreth this to a former worke, saying▪ The Lord fed his people in the wildernesse, they lacked nothing.
Vers. 2. of budding grasse] pleasant pastures and leas, where greene and tender herbs doe spring. he maketh me] or, will make me lie downe, to wit, for rest from heat. This also is another dutie of a good Herder, as, I will feed my flocke, and I will make them lie downe, saith the Lord, Ezek. 34. 15. and, Shew me, O thou whom my soule loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest lie downe at noone, Song 1. 6. easily leadeth] or comfortably …uideth mee; it noteth a soft and gentle leading, with sustaining of infirmitie, as Gen. 33. 14. Esay 40. 11. Therefore the Greeke turneth it, he nourisheth mee. So Psal. 31. 4. by waters] or unto waters of rests, that is, most quiet (or calme) waters, and such as give rest and refreshing. All these things Christ performeth to his flocke, as it is written, They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lambe which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them to the lively fountaines of waters, Revel. 7. 16, 17.
Vers. 3. returneth my soule] or, will returne or restore it, and consequently give it rest. See Psalm. 19. 8.
Vers. 4. shade of death] that is, darke and dreadfull shadow; and in a manner, the very state of death. This speech denoteth imminent danger, Jer. 2. 6. sore affliction, Psal. 44. 20. and 107. 10. 14. feare and terrour, Iob 24. 17. and dreadfull darknesse, Iob 10. 21, 22. whereto spiritually is opposed the light and comfort of the Gospell and grace of Christ, Mat. 4. 16. Luke 1. 79. wilt be with me] or, art with me: and this implieth his good, safety, and protection. As when God said, I will be with thee, Gen. 31. 3. Iakob understood it thus, I will doe thee good, Gen. 32. 9. for Gods presence is a singular favour, and our preeminence, Exod. 33. 15, 16. The Chaldee expoundeth it, thy Word shall be for my helpe. thy rod] with such shepherds use to guide and rule their flockes, Levit. 27. 32. and with such the Lord is said to rule his people, Ezek. 20. 37. Wherefore the Prophet prayeth, feed thy people with thy rod, Mic. 7. 14. The rod is also for chastening and punishment, Psal. 89. 33. And for the rebellious God hath a rod of iron and indignation, Psal. 2. 9. Lam. 3. 1. Of Christs rods or staves wherewith he feeds his flocke, see Zach. 11. 7. &c. The Chaldee translateth thy rod and thy law.
Vers. 5. Thou furnishest] or wilt furnish, and make ready a table. This and the things following, note the abundant supply of all good things, for necessitie and for delight, as at a sumptuous banquet, Prov. 9. 2, &c. So by Christ the good shepherd, his sheepe finde pasture, have life, and have it in abundance, Ioh. 10. 9, 10. in presence] or before them, which causeth the enemies that see, to grieve, as Psal. 112. 10. makest fat] that is, plenteously m…istenest and supplest with oile or balsam. In those countries they used to welcome and cheare their guests with powring out precious sweet oyles or balsam upon their heads, Luke 7. 46. Ioh. 12. 3. It signifieth joy, Eccles. 9. 8. Esay 61. 3. The Chaldee applieth it to the Priests of Israel, thou hast made the Priests heads fat with the anointing oile. is abundant] to wit, with liquour, (as the word importeth) for to drinke my fill.
Vers. 6. converse] or quietly repose my selfe, and dwell, as the Greeke translateth it. Likewise the Chaldee, saying, I shall dwell in the house of the Lords Sanctuary. to length of daies] that is, a long life-time, or for ever. See Psal. 21. 5. and 93. 5.