1 A Psalm of David. Jehovah [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 In pastures of tender grass he causeth me to lie down, he leadeth me by the waters of rest.
3 He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea when I shall 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.
5 Thou preparest before me a table in the presence of mine adversaries; thou hast anointed my head with oil, my cup [is], overflowing.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah to length of days.
Notes on Psalm 23
Here it is not sufferings from man answered by judgments from God executed by Messiah; nor is it sufferings from God issuing in His blessing and His people’s praise, yea from all that fear Him; but Jehovah’s constant and tender care when death is still ravaging and the enemy not yet expelled, not His blessings only but Himself, proved and tested, faithful and good now and evermore. Though Christ was the Shepherd, yet He traversed the path. Himself alone, absolutely dependent and perfectly confiding in His Father.
Whatever the present power of evil, and the consequent trials of the faithful, Jehovah does not, cannot, fail in His love and care, but rather makes the things directed against His own the occasion of proving what He is for and to them, as He will for ever.