Psalm 23:1-4

Psalm 23:1-4
Narrative Lectionary 116

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A PsalmA of David.B

1 The LordC is my shepherd,D I shall not want.E

Notes on verse 1

A “psalm” = mizmor. From zamar (to make music, make music to praise God; properly, to touch the strings or parts of an instrument, to plan and instrument; music accompanied by voice); may be from zamar (to trim or prune a vine). This word is melody, music, a poem set to notes.
B “David” = david. From the same as dod (beloved, love, uncle); may be from an unused root meaning to boil – so, figuratively, to love or someone you love. This word is beloved one. David, a son of Jesse.
C “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to become); from hayah (to come to pass, be or become). This is the name of the God of Israel, usually shown as Lord. It is the tetragrammaton – the self-existent and eternal one.
D “shepherd” = ra’ah. To tend a flock, pasture, graze. Thus, shepherd. It can also mean a keeper or companion. Can be used figuratively of a ruler or teacher. Of people, it can mean a flock.
E “want” = chaser. This word means to lack, need, be lacking, decrease, bereave, cause to fail. To lack, want, or lessen. This is not the sense of wanting whatsoever (having every wild fantasy fulfilled), but asserting that I will not be in want or in need of that which is vital.

    He makes me lie downF in greenG pastures;H
he leadsI me beside stillJ waters;

Notes on verse 2

F “makes me lie down” = rabats. To stretch oneself out, lie down, crouch down, fall down, make to rest, sit. To crouch on all four legs, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, rest.
G “green” = deshe. 15x in OT. From dasha (to sprout, shoot, grow green, bring forth, spring). This is grass, a sprout, tender grass, a tender herb.
H “pastures” = naah. 12x in OT. Related to navah (pasture, meadow); from the same as naveh (beautiful, home; the abode of shepherd or flocks; as home, it implies being satisfied or a place that is lovely; can also be used of God/Temple); from navah (home, beautify; to rest as at home; to celebrate with praises). OR it could be from naah (to be comely, befitting; to be at home and so to be pleasant, suitable, beautiful). This word is habitation, house, pleasant place, or pasture.
I “leads” = nahal. 10x in OT. Properly, to run with a sparkle i.e. to flow. To conduct, protect, or sustain. Can specially mean to lead or guide to a watering place – thus, a place of rest or of being refreshed. A gentle leading.
J “still” = menuchah. From manoach (a resting place, a state of rest, quite; implies a settled spot; used figuratively for a home); from nuach (to rest, cease, lay, remain, be quiet; to settle down, to dwell). This is a resting place, rest, comfortable, ease, quiet, still. Being peaceful; figurative for consolation; specially for matrimony; concretely for an abode.

    he restoresK my soul.L
He leadsM me in rightN pathsO
    for his name’sP sake.

Notes on verse 3

K “restores” = shub. To turn back, return – literal and figurative. This verb is the root of teshuvah – the word for repentance in Hebrew.
L “soul” = nephesh. Properly, a creature that breathes, the principle of vitality. So, this is soul, living being, self, desire, passion, appetite, emotion.
M “leads” = nachah. To lead, guide, bring. Can imply to transport as going into exile or as colonists.
N “right” = tsedeq. This is what is right – naturally, morally, or legally. It includes having just weights and measures. Broadly, this is rightness and righteousness, justice and just causes, equity and prosperity.
O “paths” = magal. 16x in OT – 6x for the paths of righteousness or of God, 4x for wicked ways, 3x for the circle of a camp, 2x for tracks or roads, and 1x for human ways. From an unused root meaning to revolve, circular, round. This is a track or a course, literal or figurative
P “name’s” = shem. This is name, renown, fame. It is the mark or memorial of individuality. So, it implies the honor, authority, or character of the one being named.

4 Even though I walk through the darkestQ valley,R
    I fear no evil;S
for you are with me;
    your rodT and your staffU
    they comfortV me.

Notes on verse 4

Q “darkest” = tsalmaveth. 18x in OT -10x in Job, 4x in Psalms, 1x in Isaiah, 2x in Jer, and 1x in Amos. From tsel (shadow, shelter, shade, defense, protection; literal or figurative); from tsalal (to be or grow dark; to shade as twilight or an opaque object; shadowing) + maveth (death, be deadly, the dead – their place or state; figurative for pestilence and ruin); from muth (to die, crying, put to death, destroyer). This word is a death-like shadow or a shadow that is very dark. It can mean the grave or, figuratively, calamity.
R “valley” = gay. May be related to gevah (pride, confidence, exaltation, lifting up); from ga’ah (to rise up, grow up, increase, be risen, triumph; figurative for being majestic). This is a valley – a gorge with lofty sides that is narrow. This doesn’t reefer to a gully or winter-torrent.
S “evil” = ra’. From ra’a’ (afflict, to be evil, bad; properly, to spoil – literally by breaking to pieces; figuratively to make or be good for nothing; so, bad physically, socially, or morally). This is adversity, bad, evil, affliction, distress. It includes natural or moral evil, mischief, sorrow, or wretchedness. Basically, this is a word to describe something that isn’t as it should be: a sin, a natural disaster, a disfigurement, trouble, etc.
T “rod” = shebet. A rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe, correction, dart. Comes from a root that probably means to branch off. Literally, this is a stick used for ruling, walking, punishing, fight, or writing. Figuratively, this refers to a clan.
U “staff” = mish’enah. 12x in OT. From mish’en (stay, support, staff; figurative for protector or sustenance); from sha’an (to lean, support oneself, lie, rely, rest on). This is staff, support, walking stick.
V “comfort” = nacham. Properly, to sigh or breathe strongly. By implication, to be sorry is a favorable sense. Can also mean pity, console, or rue. In a negative sense, it can be to avenge oneself (if you take consolation in that). This is the same word used in Isaiah 40 “comfort, comfort….”


Image Credit: “Caer Caradoc Walk 10/07 (bb3)” by Ted and Jen.

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