Psa 23:2-3 | TNotes | STEP | 23:2 Sheep rest after they have eaten their fill (Zeph 3:13 ; see Isa 11:7 ; cp. Isa 13:20 ; 27:10 ). • The Lord leads the sheep for their own benefit (see Ps 5:8 ). • Sheep only drink from still water, so the shepherd seeks out peaceful streams for his flock.

23:2 ^a Sheep rest after they have eaten their fill (Zeph 3:13 ^b; see Isa 11:7 ^c; cp. Isa 13:20 ^d; 27:10 ^e).

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

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

• The Lord guides by rescuing his people from evil (23:4-5 ⁱ; see 31:3 ^j), bringing them back to himself (5:8 ^k; 61:2 ^l), caring (48:14 ^m; 139:10 ⁿ), ruling (67:4 ^o), counseling (73:24 ^p), protecting (78:53 ^q; 107:30 ^r; 143:11 ^s), and instructing them in wisdom (27:11 ^t; see Prov 4:11 ^u).

• 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 ^v; 31:3 ^w; 106:8 ^x; 143:11 ^y).