The passage that is going to be examined is Psalms 23:1-6 from the Old Testament. This is the passage where David declares The Lord his shepherd. Though there aren’t a lot of big differences between different translations, there are some. The three translations that are going to be used are the American Standard Version (ASV), The New International Version (NIV), and the Revised Standard Version (RSV). Most of the differences are in the changing of how they said certain words. A couple of differences noticed were that in the ASV Psalms 23:1, it has “Jehovah is my shepherd” instead of “The Lord is my shepherd” like the other two translations. It also replaces the Lord’s name in the ASV in verse 6 where it says, “And I shall dwell in the house …show more content…
The rest of the psalm, “explains how God fulfills the role of a good shepherd”, unlike the kings in the past. (McCann 767). To some people verses 2-3 give off the image of peace, and to some, such as the writer of this commentary, it shows that God’s, “primary intent is to say that God keep the psalmist alive.” (McCann 767). These verses show how God is the shepherd and we are the sheep. He makes us lay in green land means to give us (the sheep) food from grass, and to lead us to waters so we can drink and stay replenished (McCann 768). In verses 3-4, it shows that God keeps us alive and guides us out of danger and into safety. In verse 4, the threat of death and darkness is there but we aren’t going in it alone, we have God to be our protector from it. The phrase “darkest valley” or “the valley of the shadow of death” as said in the NIV translation, comes from, “the historical setting of Isiah 40-55 that of exile”, in Israel. (McCann 768). Even in the darkest days such as in Israel, God will provide for you and guide you through it. The mentioning of the staff and the rod continue the metaphor because the shepherds carry a staff to help guide the sheep’s. The rod signifies power and authority over the sheep’s as it God’s power does over us. The metaphor of the rod or staff shows how God’s power and control comfort us by him being able to lead us against all power and evil. In verses 5-6, God is seen to be, “portrayed as a gracious host.” (McCann 768). …show more content…
God is in active pursuit of the psalmist!” (McCann 768). This tells us that God is in active pursuit to us to show and give us mercy and goodness, which is, “also reminiscent of God’s self-revelation to Moses”, which is told to be a reason for praising God. (McCann 768). Lastly, the mention of “the house of the Lord”, per the commentary, could “indicate the Temple, and along with the mention of ‘a table’ in v. 5, may be a clue to the psalm’s original cultic setting.” (McCann 769). This could be an indication that this psalm was used at a meal gathering from a worshiper (McCann 769). It could also mean that you are in God’s house and at his table and you are his guests that he is hosting. It could be a place where you are safe and that the Lord uses to protect you. You are there your whole life because the Lord is always with you and will always protect
The 23rd Psalm is arguably the most infamous and popular psalms among people in the western world. With 1/3 of the worlds population identifying with an Abrahamic faith (Christian, Jews or Muslin), the psalms play a vital role in the emotions towards God and about God to the believer. This psalm is neither intermingled with prayers, nor does it complain of miseries for the purpose of obtaining relief; but it contains simply a thanksgiving, from which it appears that it was composed when David had obtained peaceable possession of the kingdom, and lived in prosperity, and in the enjoyment of all he could desire. That he might not, therefore, in the time of his great prosperity, be like worldly men, who, when they seem to themselves to be fortunate, God in forgetfulness, and luxuriously plunge themselves into their pleasures, he delights himself in God, the author of all the blessings which he enjoyed. And he not only acknowledges that the state of tranquility in which he now lives, and his exemption from all inconveniences and troubles, is owing to the goodness of God; but he also trusts that through his providence he will continue happy even to the close of his life, and for this end that he may employ himself in his pure worship. It’s a Psalm of journey and of nourishment both along the way and at the end.
Tappy, Ron. “Psalm 23: Symbolism and Structure,” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 57, no. 2 (April 1995): 255-280.
For example, Psalm 27 is a longer prayer than Psalm 23. Also, David made use of questions in Psalm 27 and not in Psalm 23. Another difference is, in Psalm 23 David declares the good of God and his plea for salvation from his enemies. However, in Psalm 27, David not only points out the good of God but, also the abundance of blessings that he provides. In Psalm 27, David mentioned another metaphor, where he compared his enemies to wild beasts. Furthermore, another literary device that is present in Psalm 23 is symbolism. “You prepare a table before me” (Psalm 23:5). The term table not only refers to banquet of food but also hope, grace, patience, etc. Moreover, in Psalm 27, David felt neglected. Finally, in Psalm 27, David spoke of God being more faithful than his earthly parents, to be obedient to God’s word and to wait on the
The Song of praise becomes a Psalm of thanks, glorifying God for His compassion and mercy previously displayed to the Psalmist. In this plan v.1b would present an earlier grievance that is mentioned in vs. 2-4, nonetheless answered. Verses 5-6 give a testament of the Lord's kindness, whereas vs. 7-8 function as an encouragement to others to have confidence for the similar restoration protracted to the psalmist. In contrast to such an observation is the point that there is no straight account of the Lord's liberation now the Psalm.
Comparison of three sections of Psalm 119 will show how the Psalm repeats the same theme throughout the work. This shows that the repetition is helpful in remembering the reason for follow God’s laws. The first section is 119:1-8 and will show the message the psalmist trying to convey. The second section is 119:33-40 and this will show that God is our teacher and one way to learn is to follow God’s instructions. The third section is 119:65-72 this conveys that life is found in the openness of God’s instruction. All these sections together
In the bible, people read it often and most of them like to share scriptures that they think is very important to them because it gets stuck deep down in people’s minds. When it gets stuck, that is when people come out of their comfort zone to reach out to others and read the portions. Psalms 23 and The Sermon on the Mount are one of these scriptures that get stuck deep down in people’s minds. These two found in the Bible, are known for the Shepard of the people, relating to the Lord. Psalm 23 immensely relates to the guidance of the Sermon on the Mount, which is engaged in different stories in the Bible such as Mathew and Mark. In Psalm 23 ( Of David), is found in the old testament of the Bible. It is invoked to help turn around negative thinking
Psalm 27 displays perfect faith in God. It erases all doubt and fear and asks for God to always be present in the speaker’s life. It asks for protection and salvation. The Psalm acknowledges difficulty and enemies and their power over the speaker, but he remains sure that God’s power reigns over all- even the most fearsome of adversaries.
In the commentary section of The Catholic Study Bible, this passage is further evaluated. The passage begins with the Lord realizing there are too many false shepherds leading his people astray. As a result the Lord provides the true shepherd, a new King from David’s line. It will be the responsibility of this new king to appoint new kings and rulers all across the land
Psalm 35 was written by David with intense emotion and urgency. While the problem that provokes such a prayer is not fully identified, there is “sufficient ambiguity to classify it as an individual lament.” Since the piety of David is notable, and his nature is given to upholding the things of God, we must start our analysis of imprecatory Psalms with the understanding that his emotional prayers calling for the vengeance of God should not be classified as sinful, especially since they come only after his enemies repeated attacks. Thus, it is imperative that we examine the particulars of each imprecatory Psalm to gain a full understanding of each circumstance and
In Psalm 28, David asks God for mercy to not drag him away with the wicked. He also praises the Lord for He is his strength and shield.
Eight major theologies in the Book of Psalms include: Hamartiology, Salvation, Pneumatology, Christology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, Angelology, and Theology. Another significant theology is the, “conception of God as an all-powerful and all-knowing being who always existed and who would always exist,” (“Psalm Themes”). This theology is seen in a number of Psalms, specifically those sung with adoration and joy but also those sung in pain and distress. In addition to this, “The psalms portray God as the creator, ruling over and delighting in all that exists. They also portray God as the redeemer who works in history and delivers the people from their enemies” (The Oxford Encyclopedia…). As seen throughout the Psalms, God is the Creator, Deliverer, and
The purpose of this paper has been to provide an exposition of Psalm 23 in order to provide sufficient evidence for arriving at an understanding that proves the LORD is the only need in a person’s life due to his role as shepherd. In verse 1, David introduces the reader to the LORD of his life. In verse 2, David mentioned the relaxation the shepherd permits the sheep to enjoy. In verse 3, David proceeds from verse 2 to benefit from a place to rest while getting direction from the Lord. In verse 4, David articulated his approach to protection by the shepherd. Verse 5 speaks of David receiving food and sustenance from the LORD.
This scripture was a Psalm of David, a song to God about how he believes that he will guide and protect him throughout his life. There are some that believe that this Psalm was written when David was a young boy, for it is a shepherd’s song, others believe that it was written when he was older and held the position of King. To David and the people following The LORD at that time, namely the ancient Israelites the passage would have meant for them to have faith in the lord, the shepherd’s of that time especially would have been able to connect with the Psalm as it is written by David, a former shepherd come king. For us as Christians today it can be used as a healing prayer, to restore confidence and strength in the lord, knowing that he is always beside us as our healer and our guide. To me personally I feel this text telling me that no matter what happens. What dark valleys, as it were, I find myself in. God will always be there and always be by my side, this both comforts me and gives me strength.
I feel that what the psalmist is trying to say here appears to be quite obvious in the first verse; that unless you put God first in everything you say
The last segment of the Psalm is Moses’ appeal to God for him to return his presence to his people: “Return, O LORD, how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants.” Not only should God return, but Moses asks for complete restoration and for God to bless the work of man: “Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.