Psalms 23 - Introduction

A.M. 2944. B.C. 1060.

We may infer from the matter of this Psalm, that it was composed after, and probably soon after, David was delivered out of his distresses, and quietly settled in his kingdom. In it David expresses his confidence in God, who had thus delivered and exalted him; whom, therefore, he here compares, first to a good Shepherd, who carefully feeds and diligently watches over his flock; and secondly, to a hospitable friend, by whom he was sure of being kindly and liberally entertained. And from the experience he had had of the kind things God had done for him as his Shepherd, Psalms 23:2; Psalms 23:3; Psalms 23:5, he infers, that he should want no good, Psalms 23:1. And that he needed to fear no evil, Psalms 23:4. That as God did not forsake, but was with him, in a way of mercy, so he would never leave nor forsake God in a way of duty, Psalms 23:6. In all this David certainly had a respect, not only to the blessings of God's providence, which made his outward condition prosperous, but to the communications of his grace, which filled his soul with joy and consolation. And as, in the foregoing Psalm, he represented Christ dying for his sheep, so here he represents Christians receiving the benefit of all the care and tenderness of that great and good Shepherd.