v. 1
SALMO 23 Sal 23:1-6. Bajo una metáfora tomada de escenas de la vida pastoral, con las que David estaba familiarizado, describe el cuidado providencial de Dios al proveer refrigerio, guía, protección y abundancia, y así ofrecer motivos de confianza en Su favor perpetuo. 1. La relación de Cristo con Su pueblo es a menudo representada por la figura de un pastor (Jn 10:14; He 13:20; 1 Pe 2:25; 5:4), y por lo tanto la opinión de que Él es el Señor aquí descrito, y en Gn 48:15; Sal 80:1; Is 40:11, no carece de buenas razones.
v. 2
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2. green pastures--or, "pastures of tender grass," are mentioned, not in respect to food, but as places of cool and refreshing rest. the still waters--are, literally, "waters of "stillness," whose quiet flow invites to repose. They are contrasted with boisterous streams on the one hand, and stagnant, offensive pools on the other.
v. 3
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3. To restore the soul is to revive or quicken it (Psa 19:7), or relieve it (La 1:11, 19). paths of righteousness--those of safety, as directed by God, and pleasing to Him. for his name's sake--or, regard for His perfections, pledged for His people's welfare.
v. 4
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4. In the darkest and most trying hour God is near. the valley of the shadow of death--is a ravine overhung by high precipitous cliffs, filled with dense forests, and well calculated to inspire dread to the timid, and afford a covert to beasts of prey. While expressive of any great danger or cause of terror, it does not exclude the greatest of all, to which it is most popularly applied, and which its terms suggest. thy rod and thy staff--are symbols of a shepherd's office. By them he guides his sheep.
vv. 5-6
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5-6. Another figure expresses God's provided care. a table--or, "food," anointing oil--the symbol of gladness, and the overflowing cup--which represents abundance--are prepared for the child of God, who may feast in spite of his enemies, confident that this favor will ever attend him. This beautiful Psalm most admirably sets before us, in its chief figure, that of a shepherd, the gentle, kind, and sure care extended to God's people, who, as a shepherd, both rules and feeds them. The closing verse shows that the blessings mentioned are spiritual.