Psalm 23
Here we find the New Covenant relation to God in Jesus Christ the Messiah. Here is the children’s psalm, and which is, in very deed, a noted song of all the children of God. Behold, (1.) New-covenant relation to God, as a full and everlasting security against hurtful wants, ver. 1. (2.) Pleasant experience of God’s acting up to his new-covenant character, in disposing of, directing, assisting, feasting and comforting his people, ver. 2-3, 5. (3.) Well-grounded hopes of God’s careful and seasonable supplies; of his comfortable presence and help amidst distress and death; of the perpetual and everlasting manifestation of his mercy and grace to usward; and of our endless nearness to, and immediate enjoyment of him, ver. 1, 4, 5-6.
While I sing, let me think, as before God, whether I have the experimental knowledge of all these things. Let my soul be as a daughter of the horse-leech, crying mightily, Give, give what is good. And let me, in all these forms, taste and see that God is good.
1 The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
2 He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.
3 My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
ev’n for his own name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill:
For thou art with me; and thy rod
and staff me comfort still.
5 My table thou hast furnished
in presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.
6 Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me:
And in God’s house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be.
