Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 23:1-6

"Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name`s sake. Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever." — Psalms 23:1-6 (ASV)

The Lord is my shepherd. In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skillful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of believers brought back to the Shepherd of their souls.

The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what pleases the senses; but to a godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, though he has only a little of the world, it is a green pasture. The Lord gives quiet and contentment in the mind, whatever the lot is. If we are blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances, let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us abide in them.

The consolations of the Holy Spirit are the still waters by which the saints are led; the streams which flow from the Fountain of living waters. Only those are led by the still waters of comfort who walk in the paths of righteousness. The way of duty is the truly pleasant way. The work of righteousness in peace.

In these paths we cannot walk, unless God leads us into them and leads us on in them. Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is the consequence: let us then simply trust our Shepherd's care, and listen to his voice. The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction, or dark dispensation of providence that the psalmist could ever come under. Between the part of the flock on earth and that which is gone to heaven, death lies like a dark valley that must be passed in going from one to the other.

But even in this there are words which lessen the terror. It is only the shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of a sword kill. It is a valley, deep indeed, and dark, and miry; but valleys are often fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful in comforts to God's people. It is a walk through it: they will not be lost in this valley, but get safely to the mountain on the other side.

Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When they come to die, God will rebuke the enemy; he will guide them with his rod and sustain them with his staff. There is enough in the gospel to comfort the saints when dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms. The Lord's people feast at his table, upon the provisions of his love. Satan and wicked men are not able to destroy their comforts, while they are anointed with the Holy Spirit and drink of the cup of salvation which is ever full.

Past experience teaches believers to trust that the goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their lives, and it is their desire and determination to seek their happiness in the service of God here, and they hope to enjoy his love forever in heaven. While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of his Spirit and the joys of his salvation. But those who would be satisfied with the blessings of his house must keep close to its duties.