Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 23

by Don R. Hender

Though not exactly the same as the vision of the Tree of Life, there are distinct parallels in this psalm of David which he either sung from the 'ancient hymn book' of the Israelites or composed from such verses of scripture which reference such a path and way as David does refer to. The path of this mortality is the topic and whether from David's perspective which refers to the 'valley of death' or from Lehi's dream of a dreary world, the parallel thought patterns are the same. The Lord leads the way of those who rely upon him.

Scriptural Text [& Editorial] Commentary & Explanation Footnotes ~ References ~ JST

CHAPTER 23
David acclaims: The Lord is my shepherd.

A Psalm of David

1 THE LORD is my ^ashepherd^a; I shall not ^bwant.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he ^aleadeth me^a beside the still waters.
1^a The LORD is my shepherd While the LORD was anounced to be the 'Shepherd' of Israel prior to the blessing upon the head of Joseph give by Joseph wherein it is said of Joseph, 'from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel', it is to that reference which we must look to understand that the LORD GOD JEHOVAH, was and is to be considered the Shepherd and Stone of Israel. And is to this concept of the Shepherd of Israel to which David does sing this hymn of Israel. Ironicly, David was to be the ancestor of this promised shepherd relative to his mortal condescension, where he would come to live as one among us to fulfill his work, the atonement and resurrection which would solidify the salvation of man. Yet David would reject Israel and select Judah over the greater claim which Israel had in David, the he was the rightful heir of Ephraim through Obed who was the legal and rightful seed, son and heir of Mahlon and the house of Elimelech (See Messiah ben David ~ Messiah ben Joseph)
2^a he leadeth me The Lord's invitation is to 'Come Follow Me'. He does lead the way before us. As in Lehi's and Nephi's dream and vision of the Tree of Life, the Lord leads the way before and it is his word, the iron rod, which we must grasp upon that leads us to the blessings of Christ, of eternal life and exaltation.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of ^arighteousness for his ^bname's sake.
4 Yea, though I ^awalk through the ^bvalley of the ^cshadow of ^ddeath, I will fear no ^eevil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they ^fcomfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou ^aanointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely ^agoodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 23 David acclaims: The Lord is my shepherd.
A Psalm of David
1 THE LORD is my ^ashepherd^a; I shall not ^bwant. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he ^aleadeth me^a beside the still waters.	1^a The LORD is my shepherd While the LORD was anounced to be the 'Shepherd' of Israel prior to the blessing upon the head of Joseph give by Joseph wherein it is said of Joseph, 'from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel', it is to that reference which we must look to understand that the LORD GOD JEHOVAH, was and is to be considered the Shepherd and Stone of Israel. And is to this concept of the Shepherd of Israel to which David does sing this hymn of Israel. Ironicly, David was to be the ancestor of this promised shepherd relative to his mortal condescension, where he would come to live as one among us to fulfill his work, the atonement and resurrection which would solidify the salvation of man. Yet David would reject Israel and select Judah over the greater claim which Israel had in David, the he was the rightful heir of Ephraim through Obed who was the legal and rightful seed, son and heir of Mahlon and the house of Elimelech (See Messiah ben David ~ Messiah ben Joseph) 2^a he leadeth me The Lord's invitation is to 'Come Follow Me'. He does lead the way before us. As in Lehi's and Nephi's dream and vision of the Tree of Life, the Lord leads the way before and it is his word, the iron rod, which we must grasp upon that leads us to the blessings of Christ, of eternal life and exaltation.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of ^arighteousness for his ^bname's sake. 4 Yea, though I ^awalk through the ^bvalley of the ^cshadow of ^ddeath, I will fear no ^eevil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they ^fcomfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou ^aanointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely ^agoodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.