Psalm 23 Study Notes

Shevet means rod. It indicates shepherds’ rods (Ezk 20:37), used for counting (Lv 27:32) or protection (Ps 23:4). Shevet is also associated with applying discipline (Pr 13:24). Used symbolically of fury’s power (Pr 22:8), shevet as scepter connotes discipline (Is 11:4) or punishment (Jb 37:13). Assyria was the rod of God’s anger against Israel (Is 10:5). Shevet can be a military weapon, a club (2Sm 23:21) or spear (2Sm 18:14). Shevet as a symbol of power meant scepter (Gn 49:10) or staff (Jdg 5:14) of rule. It could represent one kingdom’s destructive power over another (Is 14:29). A scepter of justice implies righteous rule (Ps 45:6). Shevet apparently became identified with those ruled in the most common denotation tribe. The phrase “tribes of Israel” occurs forty-eight times (Gn 49:28). Israel can be a shevet (Jr 10:16).

23:5 The image shifts from shepherd to friend. The identification of the Lord with a shepherd emphasizes his care and protection, but he is much more than that for a person who is in close fellowship with him. While protection from enemies is still implied, it is intensified with the image of a banquet (table) that is served while the enemies look on. In Jewish society oil was a symbol for rejoicing (104:15) and was also used in the welcoming of guests (45:7; 92:10; Lk 7:46).

23:6 The verb pursue is commonly used for attackers, but here the Lord’s goodness and faithful love are personified as the ones who chased the psalmist throughout his life. As long as I live represents the Hebrew “for the length of days.” This is equivalent to the parallel all the days of my life. Though some translate this as “forever,” it is nowhere else used that way but always refers to one’s earthly life (91:16; Pr 3:2,16). Dwell (Hb yashav) is similar to the word for “return” (Hb shuv). In this verbal form, it differs only in the vowels. It is possible that the request is to return to the sanctuary of the Lord throughout one’s life, although the preposition in argues for the idea of “dwell.”