Psalms 23:1 «A Psalm of David. » The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. Ver. 1. _The Lord is my shepherd_] This psalm may well be called David's Bucolicon, or pastoral; so daintily hath he struck upon the whole string, through the whole hymn. _Est Psalmus honorahilis,_ saith Aben Ezra; it is... [ Continue Reading ]
_He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters._ Ver. 2. _He maketh me to lie down in green pastures_] In folds of budding grass, where he feedeth me daily and daintily, plentifully and pleasantly, as among the lilies, Song of Solomon 6:3; that is, amidst the ord... [ Continue Reading ]
_He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake._ Ver. 3. _He restoreth my soul_] He reduceth me, when like a lost sheep I have gone astray, Psalms 119:176. A sheep, saith Aristotle, is a foolish and sluggish creature, _Et omnium quadrupedum stupidissimum,_ mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Ver. 4. _Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death_] In the most dark and dangerous places, where there is _Luctus ubique, pavor, et p... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Ver. 5. _Thou preparest a table before_] Here he makes use of another metaphor from a liberal feast maker, or (as some will have it) from a most kind father, making provision for... [ Continue Reading ]
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Ver. 6. _Surely goodness and mercy, &c._] _Utique bonitas et beneficentia,_ or, as Tremellius hath it, _Nihil nisi bonum et benignitas,_ Nothing but goodness and lovingkindness, &c... [ Continue Reading ]