Ps. 23 THE ARGUMENT The matter of this Psalm gives us some general discovery of the time of its writing; which was when David was delivered out of his distresses, and quietly settled in his kingdom. A Psalm of David. David deseribeth his own happiness, Ps. 23:1, both in temporal, Ps.

He hath showed himself to be so by his gracious providences towards me and for me; and he hath taken upon him that office and relation to me by his entering into covenant with me, whereby he hath engaged himself to rule, and feed, and preserve, and heal me, and do all which shepherds do, or are…

To lie down; to rest and repose myself at noon, as the manner was in those hot countries. See Song 1:7, Isa. 13:20, Ezek. 34:15. In green pastures; where there is both delight and plenty of provisions. He leadeth me, lest I should wander and perish. Heb.

He restoreth, Heb. he bringeth it back; either, 1. From its errors or wandering; or, 2. Into the body, out of which it was even departing and fainting away. He reviveth or comforteth me. Compare Ruth 4:15, 1 Sam. 30:12, Lam. 1:11.

Through the valley of the shadow of death; through a dark and dismal valley, full of terrors and dangers, as this phrase signifies, Job 24:17, Ps. 44:19, Ps. 107:10, Ps. 107:14, Jer. 2:6. I will fear no evil; I will not give way to my fears, but confidently rely upon God.

Thou furnishest me with plenty and variety of provisions and comforts, mine enemies seeing, and envying, and fretting at it, but not being able to hinder it. With oil; or, ointment, as the Syriac and Arabic interpreters render it; with aromatical ointments, which were then used at great feasts, Ps.

Goodness and mercy, i.e. God’s favour, and the blessed and comfortable effects and benefits of it. Shall follow me; by which emphatical expression he signifies God’s admirable freeness and readiness to do good to his people, and his preventing them with blessings.