Psa 23 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 23:1-28:9: Pss 23–28 These psalms develop the importance of integrity (25:4-7 , 12-14 , 21 ; 26:6 , 11 ; 27:7-12 ), God’s shepherding care (23:1 ; 28:9 ), God’s guidance (23:2-3 ; 25:5 ; 27:11 ), God’s goodness (23:6 ; 25:7-8 ; 27:13 ), and living in his house (23:6 ; 26:8 ; 27:4 , 8 ). Summary for Ps 23:1-6: Ps 23 This psalm of trust and confidence in the Lord has been a favorite of God’s people for generations. It expresses assurance of God’s presence in the midst of adversity. It evokes images of the Good Shepherd (23:1-3 ; see Ezek 34:12 ; John 10:11 ) and of the messianic banquet (Ps 23:5-6 ; see Isa 25:6 ; Rev 19:9 ). Summary for Ps 23:1-3: 23:1-3 People in the ancient Near East commonly viewed their rulers as shepherds. 23:1 The Lord promises to take care of his children (34:9-10 ; Isa 51:14 ). He demonstrated this ability to Israel in the wilderness (Deut 2:7 ) and in the Promised Land (Deut 8:9 ).

Summary for Ps 23:1-28:9: Pss 23–28 ^a These psalms develop the importance of integrity (25:4-7 ^b, 12-14 ^c, 21 ^d; 26:6 ^e, 11 ^f; 27:7-12 ^g), God’s shepherding care (23:1 ^h; 28:9 ⁱ), God’s guidance (23:2-3 ^j; 25:5 ^k; 27:11 ^l), God’s goodness (23:6 ^m; 25:7-8 ⁿ; 27:13 ^o), and living in his house (23:6 ^p; 26:8 ^q; 27:4 ^r, 8 ^s).
Summary for Ps 23:1-6: Ps 23 ^t This psalm of trust and confidence in the Lord has been a favorite of God’s people for generations. It expresses assurance of God’s presence in the midst of adversity. It evokes images of the Good Shepherd (23:1-3 ^u; see Ezek 34:12 ^v; John 10:11 ^w) and of the messianic banquet (Ps 23:5-6 ^x; see Isa 25:6 ^y; Rev 19:9 ^z).
Summary for Ps 23:1-3: 23:1-3 ^aa People in the ancient Near East commonly viewed their rulers as shepherds. 23:1 ^ab The Lord promises to take care of his children (34:9-10 ^ac; Isa 51:14 ^ad). He demonstrated this ability to Israel in the wilderness (Deut 2:7 ^ae) and in the Promised Land (Deut 8:9 ^af).
23:2 ^ag Sheep rest after they have eaten their fill (Zeph 3:13 ^ah; see Isa 11:7 ^ai; cp. Isa 13:20 ^aj; 27:10 ^ak).

• The Lord leads the sheep for their own benefit (see Ps 5:8 ^al).

• Sheep only drink from still water, so the shepherd seeks out peaceful streams for his flock.
23:3 ^am Cp. 19:7 ^an; the Lord’s word renews my strength.

• The Lord guides by rescuing his people from evil (23:4-5 ^ao; see 31:3 ^ap), bringing them back to himself (5:8 ^aq; 61:2 ^ar), caring (48:14 ^as; 139:10 ^at), ruling (67:4 ^au), counseling (73:24 ^av), protecting (78:53 ^aw; 107:30 ^ax; 143:11 ^ay), and instructing them in wisdom (27:11 ^az; see Prov 4:11 ^ba).

• The Lord’s name guarantees the relationship; he guards his reputation against any accusation of his abandoning his people or allowing them to sin (see Pss 25:11 ^bb; 31:3 ^bc; 106:8 ^bd; 143:11 ^be).
23:4 ^bf The shepherd used his rod and staff to fend off danger.
23:5 ^bg A feast demonstrates the Lord’s care and mercy toward his people (see 22:26 ^bh, 29 ^bi). Although enemies can watch, they cannot trouble the guests.

• The ritual of anointing the head with oil showed guests honor (92:9-11 ^bj), hospitality, and refreshment (104:15 ^bk; 133:2 ^bl).
23:6 ^bm The Lord expresses his unfailing love through the goodness of his presence and other benefits that he alone provides (69:16 ^bn; 86:17 ^bo; 109:21 ^bp; see 18:6 ^bq; 61:4 ^br). He actively bestows care that is greater than the temporary trials imposed by enemies (7:1 ^bs).