Psalm 23

[jaybird0827]

A Psalm of David.

Here is the children's psalm, and which is, in very deed, a noted song of all the children of God. Behold, (1.) New-covenant relation to God, as a full and everlasting security against hurtful wants, ver. 1. (2.) Pleasant experience of God's acting up to his new-covenant character, in disposing of, directing, assisting, feasting and comforting his people, ver. 2-3, 5. (3.) Well-grounded hopes of God's careful and seasonable supplies; of his comfortable presence and help amidst distress and death; of the perpetual and everlasting manifestation of his mercy and grace to us-ward; and of our endless nearness to, and immediate enjoyment of him, ver. 1, 4, 5-6.

While I sing, let me think, as before God, whether I have the experimental knowledge of all these things. Let my soul be as a daughter of the horse-leech, crying mightily, Give, give what is good. And let me, in all these forms, taste and see that God is good.[align=center]John Brown of Haddington[/align]

Psalm 23:1-6

Tune: Crimond - attached

1 The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want.
2 He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.

3 My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
ev'n for his own name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill:
For thou art with me; and thy rod
and staff me comfort still.

5 My table thou hast furnished
in presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.

6 Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me:
And in God's house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be.

[Edited on 9-4-2006 by jaybird0827]

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

A most beloved psalm. I once heard it performed during the Military Tatoo in the Edinburgh Castle to the tune Crimond, which was a memorable moment in my life.

Besides the wonderful Scottish metrical version, I also enjoy the version from Ainsworth's Psalter, which I have a recording of from the Plimoth Plantation:

1 Jehovah feedeth me, I shal not lack.
2 In grassy folds, he down dooth make me lye:
he gently-leads me, quiet waters by.
3 He dooth return my soul: for his name sake,
in paths of justice leads-me-quietly.

4 Yea, though I walk, in dale of deadly shade,
ile fear none yll; for with me thou wilt be:
thy rod thy staff eke, they shall comfort me.
5 Fore me, a table thou hast ready-made;
in their presence that my distressers be:

Thou makest fat mine head with oincting-oil;
6 my cup abounds. Doubtless, good and mercie
shal all the days of my life folow me:
also within Jehovahs howse, I shal
to length of dayes, repose-me-quietlie.

 

[jaybird0827]

Psalm 23 - 2nd tune

St. Columba - attached

 

[Puritanhead]

Charles Spurgeon's Treasury of David on Psalm 23

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalm 23