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Scott's Reference Library
Psalm 23:1 through Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSE 1
“The Lord is my shepherd.” In these words, the believer is taught to express his
satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and
Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd
is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures,
under the care of a skilful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of
believers brought back to the Shepherd of their souls. The greatest abundance is
but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what pleases the
senses; but to a godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his
enjoyments, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture. The
Lord gives quiet and contentment in the mind, whatever the lot is. Are we
blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances, let us not think it enough to
pass through them, but let us abide in them. The consolations of the Holy Spirit
are the still waters by which the saints are led; the streams which flow from
the Fountain of living waters. Those only are led by the still waters of
comfort, who walk in the paths of righteousness. The way of duty is the truly
pleasant way. The work of righteousness in peace. In these paths we cannot walk,
unless. God lead us into them, and lead us on in them. Discontent and distrust
proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is the consequence: let us then simply
trust our Shepherd’s care, and hearken to his voice. The valley of the shadow of
death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction, or dark dispensation
of providence, that the psalmist ever could come under. Between the part of the
flock on earth and that which is gone to heaven, death lies like a dark valley
that must be passed in going from one to the other. But even in this there are
words which lessen the terror. It is but the shadow of death: the shadow of a
serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of a sword kill. It is a valley, deep
indeed, and dark, and miry; but valleys are often fruitful, and so is death
itself fruitful of comforts to God’s people. It is a walk through it: they shall
not be lost in this valley, but get safe to the mountain on the other side.
Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When they come to
die, God will rebuke the enemy; he will guide them with his rod, and sustain
them with his staff. There is enough in the gospel to comfort the saints when
dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms. The Lord’s people feast at
his table, upon the provisions of his love. Satan and wicked men are not able to
destroy their comforts, while they are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and drink
of the cup of salvation which is ever full. Past experience teaches believers to
trust that the goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their
lives, and it is their desire and determination, to seek their happiness in the
service of God here, and they hope to enjoy his love for ever in heaven. While
here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of his Spirit
and the joys of his salvation. But those that would be satisfied with the
blessings of his house, must keep close to the duties of it.