A Brief Explication of the First Fifty Psalms, Psalm 23
PSAL. XXIII. A Psalme of David.
This Psalme is the expression of the Prophets confidence in Gods grace, wherein from the setling himself in the belief of our covenanted relation, between God and him, he doth draw sundry comfortable conclusions and confirmations of faith, from it, concerning the Lords furnishing every necessary good thing to him, ver. 1, 2. For recovery of him from every evill condition, wherein he may fall, ver. 3▪ And for assisting and comforting him in the greatest danger he could fall into, ver. 4. And for making him blessed in despite of his enemies, ver. 5. And for his continuing in Gods grace, and fellowship for ever, ver. 6.
Ver. 1. THe Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
HE layeth down for a ground his relation to God, & thence confirmeth his assurance to have the fruits thereof. Whence learn, 1. The Lord is content to demit himselfe to be compared unto any thing which may import his love, and respect, and care of his own. As here for our comfort he is pleased to be called a Shepherd. 2. The grounds of our faith in God, making us to have right unto him by covenant, should be solidly laid, and these being firmly laid, then comfortable conclusions may, and should be drawn from thence, as here the Prophet doth. 3. In speciall, whatsoever sweet relation the believer standeth in with God, he may assure himselfe of all the fruits, and good, which that relation can import. As here having said, The Lord is my Shepherd, he assureth himself then, he shall not want; to wit' what such a Shepherd, seeth necessary for such a sheep.
Ver. 2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; be leadeth we beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousnesse, for his Names sake.
He goeth on numbring the benefits following from the foresaid relation; partly shewing what experience he hath had, partly assuring himself what further to find. Whence learn, 1. As the Shepherd provideth good and wholesome pasture for his sheep, and a place of safety and rest, with the commodity of all needfull refreshment of calme running waters: So doth the Lord furnish the food of life to the believer with quiet rest, and satisfaction of timous consolation, by his word and Spirit: He maketh me lie down in green pastures, &c. 2. It is possible through the evill that is in us, we fall in decay of graces, in sicknesses of divers sorts; yea, and that we wander away from the Shepherd, and the society of the flock sometime. In which case we should perish, if our carefull Lord did not apply himselfe to our necessities, to relieve us; for it is he that restoreth our soul. It is he that reclaimeth us from our wandrings: it is he that directeth us, and keepeth us from going on still in by-paths. He leadeth me, saith he, in the paths of righteousnesse. 3. It is not for any good we deserve, or have done, or can do, for which he taketh such care of his weak and foolish children. It is for the glory of his free-grace, constant love, and sworn covenant, even for his own Names sake.
Ver. 4. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear none evill; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staffe they comfort me.
He presupposeth he may fall in new, and harder troubles, then ever he fell in before, and yet hopes to be delivered therefrom. Hence learn, 1. The believer in his best condition may not promise to himselfe immunity from trouble, or perils; but must prepare for the worst, even to be put to extreme danger of perishing, and in such darknesse as were most like, and near (unto death) To walke through the valley of the shadow of death, where sheep may fall in the pit, or be fallen upon by every devouring beast in the dark. 2. The fruit of former delivery out of trouble, should encourage us to hope for deliverance out of whatsoever new trouble we may fal into, as the Prophets example doth teach. 3. Faith after a victory is very stout and hath warrant indeed to be so, and may, and should resolve to be stout by Gods grace; howsoever when trouble cometh (which is the touch-stone of the strength of faith) it may discover weaknesse for a time. For here David saith, I will feare no evil, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 4. The consideration of Gods covenanted presence with his own in trouble, and of his power to protect, and deliver them, and of his wisdom and goodnesse to make his own profit by troubles▪ may, and should comfort the believer against the fear of perishing in whatsoever trouble. For David giveth this as a reason of not fearing evil. Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staffe they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a Table before me in the presence of mine enemies, thou annointest my head with oyl, my Cup runneth over.
From the grounds of his Faith, confirmed by experience, he seeth stil satisfaction from God, who giveth the banquet to him, as it were in his enemies sight. Whence learn, Albeit somtime the believer may be put to hardship and hazard, for trying and training of his faith; yet sometimes also the Lord wil give him rich evidents of his love and kindnesse unto him, if not in both outward and inward benefits, yet at least in spiritual consolations comparable to a royal feast, as here, Thou preparest a Table before me. 2. Although the enemies of the godly, are not few, both bodily and spiritual, all concurring to mar… the felicity of the Lords children, yet shal they not be able to hinder their sense now and then of satisfactory blessedness maugre them al; for as oft as God seeth fit, he giveth his own the banquet, in the presence of his enemies. 3. When it pleaseth the Lord to comfort a believer, and to give him the banquet, there is nothing wanting, during the time of the Lords comfortable entertaining of him, which may strengthen him, or rejoyce him; but as much given unto him sensibly, as may make him say, Thou annointest my head with oyl, and my cup runneth over, Psal. 92.10. & 104.15.
6. Surely goodnesse and mercy shal follow me all the dayes of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
He sheweth that in his former speeches, be meant not of earthly benefits, although these also be worthy of acknowledgment, and of thanksgiving for them; But of spiritual mercies, by this, that he is assured of the continuance thereof, in this life, and in the life to come. Whence learn. 1. The delight and satisfaction of the believer is not in any earthly portion, but in Gods good wil and pity toward him; Gods goodnesse and mercy is the matter of his contentment. 2. An humble believer, who in his own eyes is like a weake witlesse sheep, and yet doth follow the Shepherd, may assure himselfe from the Covenant relation between God and him, of the constancy of Gods good will, and actual outletting of liberal gifts of good things unto him, and of removing of evils, both of sin, and of the fruits of it, and be perswaded of his own perseverance in the way to salvation, all the dayes of his life; for here is an instance for it, Surely goodnesse and mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my life. 3. As a believer may be assured of the constant course of Gods love to follow him, and of his own preserving in the way of life, so may he be perswaded of eternal life, and everlasting communion with God in heaven. And this perfecteth the felicity of the believer; and no lesse can do it then this; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.