Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 23
Overview:
Confidence in
God's
Grace and care.
- "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 skilful, 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 but little of the
world, it is a green pasture. The
Lord gives quiet and
Contentment in the mind, whatever the
Lot is. Are we 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. Those only 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 lead us into them,
and lead 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 hearken 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 ever could 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 but 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 of comforts to
God's people. It is a
walk through it: they shall not be lost in this
Valley, but get
safe 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 for
ever 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 that would be satisfied with the blessings
of his
House, must keep close to the duties of it.