Psalms 23 Explained!!

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

Click Reference Link to Read Psalms 23 Chapter: BibleRef.com

Chapter Commentary:

The 23rd psalm is among the most famous passages of Scripture. Among Christians, it might be the most often-quoted and frequently-memorized set of verses in the Old Testament. The themes of comfort, reassurance, and God's provision for His people have resonated with even non-believers across the ages.

This psalm, written by King David, the former shepherd boy, may have been composed near the end of David's life. He was well acquainted not only with sheep and shepherding but also with the Lord as his shepherd. The psalm has a pastoral setting that is vastly different from David's previous psalm (Psalm 22), which evokes the image of a battlefield. Psalm 23 is meant to inspire calm.

The Lord is personal to David, and He provides everything David needs. As the Good Shepherd, He guides David to green pastures and calm waters. All is peaceful! He refreshes David's soul and directs him in the way of righteousness, thereby protecting the Good Shepherd's reputation. Even if David encounters life-threatening trouble, he does not fear because the Lord, the Good Shepherd walks with him.

Like a sheep who feels secure knowing his shepherd is standing guard, David is comforted by knowing the Good Shepherd's rod and staff will protect him. It appears David feels like an honored guest at a banquet hosted by the Lord Himself. His enemies look on as the Lord provides richly for him. Or perhaps David compares himself to a sheep that receives the healing oil and a large cup of water from its shepherd at the end of day. Its predatory enemies can only look at the sheepfold, the entrance of which is blocked by the shepherd.

David is confident that the Lord will be good to him and will shower him with loving kindness for the rest of his earthly life. He expects to enjoy rich communion with the Lord in the sanctuary.

Verse Context:

Psalm 23:1–3 extolls the blessings bestowed on David by the Lord, his personal shepherd. The scene is peaceful and personal. In John 10:11 Jesus identified Himself as the Good Shepherd. He does for His sheep what David describes in Psalm 23:1–3. He leads his sheep (John 10:3–4); guides them to pasture (John 10:9); restores their souls (Joh 10:10); and protects them (John 10:11–15).

Psalm 23:4–6 shifts in mood from the tranquility portrayed in verses 1–3. It is a somber passage, but carries the assurance that the Lord protects His sheep and fills their days with His blessings. This passage differs from the first three verses by addressing the Lord, David's shepherd, directly. In verses 1–3 David talks about the Lord, but in verses 4–6 he talks to the Lord.

Chapter Summary:

David celebrates the protection and guidance of God. Sheep guarded by a skilled shepherd are led to food and water, and protected from harm. In the same way, David praises God for giving him peace. The knowledge of God's protection and provision are a great comfort. This psalm incorporates themes of supply, defense, assurance, and care from God.

NOTE: JUST AS GOD CARED FOR AND PROTECTED DAVID, HE CARES FOR AND PROTECTS US!!! GOD IS OUR SHEPHERD TOO AS HE WAS DAVID’S!!! GOD LOVES US!!! GOD IS MOVING FOR US AND NOT AGAINST US ALL THE TIME – EVEN WHEN WE CAN’T SEE HIM, HE IS WORKING FOR US – TURNING EVERYTHING THE devil MEANT FOR EVIL AROUND FOR OUR GOOD!!

Chapter Context:

This psalm lies between Psalm 22, which depicts Jesus as suffering, and Psalm 24 which depicts Him as sovereign. Psalm 23 depicts Christ as the all-sufficient shepherd. The psalms together focus on the shepherd's cross, his crook, and his crown. In John 10, Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd, echoing many of the themes explored in this passage.

Book Summary:

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

To help you all and myself get a full understanding of the Book of Psalms, I am going back to the beginning of Psalms, and including an explanation of each Chapter I have read.

And just as some of the current explanation of the Psalms having the Scripture links, and some won’t, so will these reposted ones have the same. Again, this will help you all dig deep into your study of the Book of Psalm. I will redo Psalms 1 to Psalms 43. I will post Psalms 23 today, with Psalms 75.

I think it is a great idea to go back and study Psalms 1 to Psalms 43 with the explanation. Because the ones with the explanation will give you a detailed explanation of each Psalm.

I want to show that the people in the days of Psalms, also had questions for God and they expressed them – they poured out their hearts to God. God knows how we feel in our hearts when we are hard pressed down by the things of life – GOD LOVES US NO MATTER WHAT (Romans 8)!! And God wants us to come to HIM and CAST ALL those CARES, things upon Him, just like the people in the Psalms. GOD CARES FOR US (1 Peter 5:7)!!

As we see from the Psalms, NO MATTER WHAT David faced, he PRAISED, THANKED, AND WORSHIPPED GOD!! NOT that he was glad he was going through, but he TRUSTED that GOD WOULD rescue him, and bring him through WHATEVER he faced; David remembered that GOD had brought him through every time in the past!! Therefore, let us each day, as we read these Psalms, do as David did, PRAISE, THANK, AND WORSHIP GOD for HIS GOODNESS to us!!

There is ALWAYS something we can look back at, and see how GOD, our ABBA, has brought us out of!! And we can look at our present lives, and see GOD bringing us out of something every day!!

GOD IS A GOOD. GOOD, GOOD FATHER to us; HE takes GREAT care of us!!

Questions:

1. In today’s Psalm, do you see what David is praising God for, being thankful to God for, or worshiping God for? 

2. Today, what are YOU praising God for, thankful to God for, or worshipping God for?

Just as before, I pray the explanation of each Chapter of the Book of Psalms, is a BLESSING to you all as you all dive deeper into the Word of God this year!!

And don’t forget to pray as you study this material, asking Holy Spirit to give you all the revelational knowledge YOU NEED, to transform your life from the inside out!! I pray this year will be your BEST year ever!! Stay walking hand in hand with our loving Heavenly Father, our ABBA, ALWAYS acknowledging Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in the way you should go daily, not going your own way, and be a disciple of Jesus, not a fan, then you won’t go wrong!!

Click Here for the PDF Version of “Psalms 23 Explained!!”

Click Here for PDF Version of “Links to Psalms 1 to 22 Explained!!”

God's BLESSINGS to you all and your families!!

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD