Psalm 23:6

David makes the experience: Despite my faults, God helps me.

Mercy or loving kindness (חֶסֶד – chesed) requires that one is aware that one has missed one’s mark and can no longer do things well. Mercy is the act of restoration without merit of one’s own.

That someone wants our best is behind the words: Goodness shall follow me. God as the good shepherd has good thoughts over our lives. He does not look for our mistakes but sees our potential. He wants to restore us so that we become what he created us to be.

Behind the word “follow me” is the image of rushing after, chasing and pursuing. More like goodness and mercy will chase me — they will hunt me down. The root word used is the same for persecution even — so it’s saying that goodness and mercy, or loving kindness (חֶסֶד – chesed) will chase me down. For those in God’s flock, under the care of the Good Shepherd, it’s goodness and mercy that’s doing the hounding, eager to capture us and surround us with good things. Instead of looking at our problems, with God’s help we can discover the goodness of God around us.

Psalm 23,5

What was David thinking when he wrote: My cup overflows?

The cup is central to the celebration of Shabbat and Passover. There are four cups in the celebration of Passover: the cup of sanctification, judgment, redemption, and praise. The cup of redemption (Luke 22:20) was used by Jesus as a sign of the new covenant of forgiveness.

Jeremiah 25:15 speaks of the cup filled with the wrath of God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed that the cup of suffering might pass from him, if it were possible (Luke 22:42).

At Psalm 23 it seems to be more of a positive image. God sets a table, cares personally for me, and His goodness overflows, which is expressed in grace and mercy.

God gives us so much that we can give without suffering lack ourselves (Psalm 23:1). At the same time, David also experiences that God can transform suffering into overflowing blessings.

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Psalm 23:5

David was literally anointed on his head with oil by the prophet Samuel. The word (משח) “Messiah” means “anointed one”, “anointed one for a purpose”. However, despite the fact that this is a messianic psalm, a different Hebrew word used in this case.

Since sheep can injure themselves on the thorns on their heads while grazing and the wounds could become inflamed or infested by parasites, the shepherds poured olive oil into the open areas after disinfecting them with wine to protect them.

David might also have this image in mind. If I hurt myself, you worry about my wound.

Before David spoke of the stick and of the people who harass him. Wherever I hit my head, God is present and takes care of my emotional injuries.

However, the anointing with oil expresses the personal care of God for us. Revelation 7:17 says: “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Psalm 23:3 – Holiday Impulse 2023

Others translate: “He refreshes my soul” or “He brings my vitality back”

The Hebrew says, “He restores my soul” or “my soul comes back to me.”

We could also say: “I feel like myself again“.

Those who commit themselves to the good shepherd will find their way back to their determination of life. Our personality is taken seriously, and we are encouraged to prosper. God wants us to supplement, encourage and appreciate each one an another.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:14-25, “The body does not consist of one member but of many. . . . God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. … that the members may have the same care for one another.”