Psalm 23 Analysis
Interpreting Psalms 23 I am sure we all are familiar with the verse, Psalm 23 from the King James Bible. But, can we really decipher its true meaning, by just being familiar with it? This poem shows all the features of the lyrics such as: brevity, imagery, emotion, subjectivity, and musical. The following breakdown of King David’s psalm represents my interpretation of its true meaning, in relation to my beliefs and the way I was raised. It also shows the lyrical components that can be easily compared to this scripture.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want… (Verse 1)” King David refers to the Lord as his shepherd in this verse. This is a metaphor that is basically stating that we as believers are a flock of sheep being tended to by the …show more content…
lord. Think of a shepherd and his duties; he is supposed to protect his sheep from harm and danger. Like a shepherd the Lord protects. When David stated I shall not want, he is simply implying that the Lord is our protector and with Him, we have everything. This verse alone shows very deep emotion because David strongly believes the Lord can provide everything he wants.
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters… (Verse 2)”
This is also related to the first verse that is describing the Lord as a shepherd. The Lord, as the protector is guiding his sheep to the green pastures to eat and fill them, both spiritually and physically and to lie down and rest. He makes a way for them to do so peacefully not by force. Here the sheep are being nourished with food. When he leads them beside the still waters the sheep are drinking the water to quench their thirst. The “still waters” also refers to the calmness and serenity of this place, meaning there are no storms. The imagery in this verse is very clear you can practically see this setting in your mind as you close your eyes.
“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake… (Verse 3)”
In this verse it moves from the shepherd metaphor to stating the meaning how the shepherd is spiritual.
This is also implying how God cares for our soul, and how the Lord wants us to do right in His name. The Lord will never lead you down the wrong path, for there is only goodness in his name’s sake. By restoring one’s soul David means to be cleansed and fulfilled again spiritually. This verse is showing the subjectivity when David states he ‘restoreth my soul”; my is giving this verse the subjectivity. Also “he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” me again brings the subjectivity to this verse.
“Yea, though 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...(Verse 4)”
This psalm takes a turn from the tranquility to darkness, where before it spoke of only light. The speaker is saying that even though he is walking through a valley which is filled with bad things, he is not afraid. The speaker knows the Lord is with him through every step, so he fears nothing or no-one. I think this psalm is mostly used at funerals because of this verse mainly, because it gives people hope knowing the Lord will protect you always. When you picture the rod and the staff it might bring Moses to mind. Moses uses his staff to turn the sea into blood, as well as to part the sea to lead God’s people to the promise land. You can see the imagery in this verse just thinking of the valley. When you think of the valley …show more content…
you can picture David walking through this valley.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over… (Verse 5)”
By having a table prepared for you in front of your enemies simply means that you are safe ;nothing can harm you. To be anointed is to be made holy; the Lord is making the speaker holy. His cup running over does not mean he is literally overfilling it, this means what God has in store for you is more than enough.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever… (Verse 6)”
The speaker brings to our attention that he will forever be blessed, because he knows God is his provider.
The speaker knows if he lives his life accordingly to God’s will that he will go to Heaven to live with the Lord for all eternity. The beginning of this scripture refers to the Lord as David’s shepherd, by the time the end comes in the Lord because the host of His house. This verse not only is displaying subjectivity it is also showing musical. The words alone sound like a musical lyric being spoken.
This scripture is shows brevity because of its very briefness. This scripture consist of six lines or verses. This poem I would say is very brief and straight to the point from the beginning to the end. Where David tells you how he is feeling, why he feels that way, and the end result of him feeling the way he felt.
There you have it, not only have I broken down the Psalms 23, but I have also told you what this scripture means to me based on my religious beliefs. Now we see how to be able to decipher this scripture true meaning. We are also able to see the lyrical components that are shown in this
scripture.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want… (Verse 1)” King David refers to the Lord as his shepherd in this verse. This is a metaphor that is basically stating that we as believers are a flock of sheep being tended to by the …show more content…
lord. Think of a shepherd and his duties; he is supposed to protect his sheep from harm and danger. Like a shepherd the Lord protects. When David stated I shall not want, he is simply implying that the Lord is our protector and with Him, we have everything. This verse alone shows very deep emotion because David strongly believes the Lord can provide everything he wants.
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters… (Verse 2)”
This is also related to the first verse that is describing the Lord as a shepherd. The Lord, as the protector is guiding his sheep to the green pastures to eat and fill them, both spiritually and physically and to lie down and rest. He makes a way for them to do so peacefully not by force. Here the sheep are being nourished with food. When he leads them beside the still waters the sheep are drinking the water to quench their thirst. The “still waters” also refers to the calmness and serenity of this place, meaning there are no storms. The imagery in this verse is very clear you can practically see this setting in your mind as you close your eyes.
“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake… (Verse 3)”
In this verse it moves from the shepherd metaphor to stating the meaning how the shepherd is spiritual.
This is also implying how God cares for our soul, and how the Lord wants us to do right in His name. The Lord will never lead you down the wrong path, for there is only goodness in his name’s sake. By restoring one’s soul David means to be cleansed and fulfilled again spiritually. This verse is showing the subjectivity when David states he ‘restoreth my soul”; my is giving this verse the subjectivity. Also “he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” me again brings the subjectivity to this verse.
“Yea, though 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...(Verse 4)”
This psalm takes a turn from the tranquility to darkness, where before it spoke of only light. The speaker is saying that even though he is walking through a valley which is filled with bad things, he is not afraid. The speaker knows the Lord is with him through every step, so he fears nothing or no-one. I think this psalm is mostly used at funerals because of this verse mainly, because it gives people hope knowing the Lord will protect you always. When you picture the rod and the staff it might bring Moses to mind. Moses uses his staff to turn the sea into blood, as well as to part the sea to lead God’s people to the promise land. You can see the imagery in this verse just thinking of the valley. When you think of the valley …show more content…
you can picture David walking through this valley.
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over… (Verse 5)”
By having a table prepared for you in front of your enemies simply means that you are safe ;nothing can harm you. To be anointed is to be made holy; the Lord is making the speaker holy. His cup running over does not mean he is literally overfilling it, this means what God has in store for you is more than enough.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever… (Verse 6)”
The speaker brings to our attention that he will forever be blessed, because he knows God is his provider.
The speaker knows if he lives his life accordingly to God’s will that he will go to Heaven to live with the Lord for all eternity. The beginning of this scripture refers to the Lord as David’s shepherd, by the time the end comes in the Lord because the host of His house. This verse not only is displaying subjectivity it is also showing musical. The words alone sound like a musical lyric being spoken.
This scripture is shows brevity because of its very briefness. This scripture consist of six lines or verses. This poem I would say is very brief and straight to the point from the beginning to the end. Where David tells you how he is feeling, why he feels that way, and the end result of him feeling the way he felt.
There you have it, not only have I broken down the Psalms 23, but I have also told you what this scripture means to me based on my religious beliefs. Now we see how to be able to decipher this scripture true meaning. We are also able to see the lyrical components that are shown in this
scripture.