Psalms 23

The matter of this Psalm, gives us some general Discovery of the time of it's writing; which was when David was delivered out of his Distresses, and quietly settled in his Kingdom.

THe LORD is my shepherd He has showed himself to be so by his gracious Providences towards me, and for me: and he has taken upon him, that Office and Relation to me, by his en... ing into Covenant with me. Whereby he has engaged himself to rule, and feed, and preserve and heal me, and do all which Shepherds do, or are oblig'd to do to their Flocks: which David very well understood, and had doubtless carefully performed his Duty to his Sheep: and therefore he strengthens this Faith by his Consideration, that God was his Shepherd; and God was a much better Shepherd than he, or any man could be, so he might Confidently expect more than ordinary Benefits from his Conduct., I shall no... want To wit, any thing which is really necessary for me, either for this Life or for the next. But foolish man may think many things to be necessary for him which the all-wise God knoweth to be not only unnecessary but hurtful, and therefore mercifully denies what men ignorantly desire to their hurt..

He maketh me to lye down To rest and repose my self at Noon, as the manner was in those hot Countries See Cant. 1. 7. Isa. 13. 20. Ezek. 34. 15. in green pastures Where there is both delight and plenty of Provisions.: he leadeth me Left I should wander and perish. Heb. He leadeth me sweetly and, accommodating himself to mine Infi... mities, as Shepherds do to their Sheep, Gen. 33. 13. Isa. 40. 11. and 49. 10. beside Or, to, the Particle al being oft put for el, as Gen. 1. 30. and 16. 7. the still waters. g Quiet and gentle Waters, either put into Watering-Troughs or Running in small and shallow Channels. Which are opposed to great Rivers, which both affright the Sheep with their noise, and expose them to the Danger of being carried away by their swift and violent Streams, whilst they are drinking a... them.

He restoreth Heb. He bringeth it back; Either, 1. From its Errors or Wandring. Or, 2. Into the Body, out of which it was even departing and fainting away. He reviveth or Comforteth me. Comp. Ruth 4. 15. 1 Sam. 30. 12. Lament. 1. 11. my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness In streight and plain, and safe Paths, where the Sheep is neither hurt, nor wearied, nor in Danger of wandering. By his Word he directs me to the right ways of Truth, and Holiness, and Righteousness, and by his Spirit he inclines and inables me to choose them, and to continue to walk in them., for his names sake Not for any worth in me, but merely for the Demonstration and Glory of his Justice, and Faithfulness, and Goodness..

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death Through a dark and dismal Valley, full of Terrors and Dangers, as this Phrase signifies, Iob. 24. 17. Psal. 44. 19. and 107. 10. 14. Ier. 2. 6., I will fear no evil I will not give way to my Fears, but Confidently rely upon God.: for thou ar... with me, thy rod and thy staff Two words noting the same thing, and both designing God's pastoral Care over him, expressed by the sign and Instrument of it., they comfort me The Consideration thereof supports me, under all my Fears and Distresses..

Thou preparest a table (i. e.) Thou furnishest me with plenty, and Variety of Provisions and Comforts. before me, in the presence of mine enemies They seeing and envying, and fret... ing at it, but not being able to hinder it.: thou anointest mine head with oyl Or Ointment, as the Syriack and Arabick Interpreters render it, with Aromatical Ointments, which were then used at great Feasts, Psal. 92. 10. Amos 6. 6. Mat. 6. 17. Luk. 7. 38. The Sense is, thy Comforts delight my Soul, Comp. 45. 7., my cup runneth over Thou hast given me a very plentiful Portion, signified by the Cup, given to the Guests by the Master of the Feast..

Surely 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. all the days of my Life Which he justly concludes, from the former instances of God's Favour to him, because of the unchangeableness of Gods Nature, and the stability of his Covenant and Promises., and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever Whereas I have formerly been driven from God's House, I rest assured that I shall now constantly enjoy that blessed Priviledge of serving and enjoying God in his Sanctuary, which I pr... ze more then all my Dominions..