Examining the poem from an analytical perspective.

*Class Notes – “Psalm 23”

*“Psalm 23” reflects the relationship between the Psalmist and God. The psalmist is confident that he can put complete trust in God and that God will guide and protect him through life. *Attitude towards God – God nurtures and supports the individual throughout his or her life or journey or reign. *Why should we expect a life filled with goodness or mercy? – Life is filled with goodness and mercy because God possesses these qualities and sees to it that the individual experiences them in his or her own life.

*Background Information

*Because the Israelites originally were nomadic people who herded sheep, the metaphor of God the shepherd was a concept they understood and valued. The popularity of this psalm rests largely on the lasting appeal of the personification of God as a shepherd, an image that simply and effectively conveys the idea of God as caring, nurturing, guiding, and comforting.*This psalmist's parallel, repetitive phrasing also contributes

to the appeal in power of the psalm. The simple cadences are calm and soothing, and they reflect a simple faith.

*“Psalm 23” as a “Pilgrim Psalm”*It is possible that “Psalm 23” is a “pilgrim” psalm, describing the pilgrim’s thoughts as he or she begins the dangerous journey to the Temple in Jerusalem. The Pilgrim trusts that God will provide sustenance, clear direction, and protection, and that God will ensure safe arrival at the destination. *The pilgrim expects God to supply shelter, food, and water

during the journey to the Temple (lines1-3, 5); to provide safe passage along the way (lines 3-4); and to bring the pilgrims safely to the Temple (line 6).*In this interpretation, the “green pastures” and “still waters”

signify food and water, or an oasis. *The “soul” is the pilgrim’s physical vitality. (In Judaism, at

the time the psalms were written, a person was considered a totality, with no separation between body and spirit or soul.)

*The “paths of righteousness” are the correct paths for the journey. God's rod and staff direct or lead the pilgrim, who will be welcomed hospitably and respectably by having oil poured on his or her head. *The overflowing cup of wine symbolizes a blessed life, and

the Pilgrim will remain near God's presence in the Temple.*The “valley of the shadow of death” is a literal translation

of the Hebrew. Other translators translate the phrase as “in the midst of total darkness,” “the valley of dark shadows,” or “the valley of deep gloom.” In the “pilgrim” interpretation, the phrase implies danger from robbers rather than the inevitability of human mortality.

*“Psalm 23” as a “Monarch Psalm”*It is also possible that Psalm 23 is a “monarch” psalm,

describing the feelings of a new king as he is about to celebrate his coronation. *Just as shepherd cares for the sheep, so God will sustain

and protect the king. In this interpretation, the “valley of the shadow of death” implies danger from political enemies who threaten the king’s authority and his life. *The coronation ceremony involves anointing the new king’s

head with oil, which is symbolic of investing him with divine approval. The overflowing cup symbolizes his blessed life. With God’s guidance, the king will live according to God’s precepts.

*The king expects God to support him in his role as political leader (line 3); to provide guidance and protect him against his political enemies (lines 4-5); and to provide divine sanction, symbolized by anointing his head with oil as part of the coronation ceremony (line 5).

*Analyzing the Text*Theme – Life is good, since a caring God watches over a

person’s life.*Why personify God as a shepherd? (The attributes of

God) – Because the Israelites originally were nomadic people who herded sheep, the metaphor of God the shepherd was a concept they understood and valued. Like a shepherd, God is caring, nurturing, guiding, and comforting.*Tone – The tone is one of security and peace. It is

achieved by means of personifying God as a shepherd, with the protective and nurturing qualities inherent in that role. It is also achieved through parallelism, the repetition of simple, soothing, cadenced clauses.

*Parallelism creates rhythm through repetition of phrase and clause patterns. Examples: “He maketh me… He leadeth me… He restoreth my… He leadeth me…” “thou art… thou preparest… thou anointest…” The repetition contributes to the appeal in power of the psalm. The simple cadences are soothing.

* Significance of “the valley of the shadow of death.*1)The “valley of the shadow of death” makes death present and a possibility, but not necessarily an actuality. God's protection will ward off evil. *2) The “valley of deep gloom” is depressing, but not

necessarily dangerous. It can make following the correct path difficult. *3) The “valley of dark shadows” suggests a cause for anxiety

because shadows can conceal what is dangerous. *4) Being in the “midst of total darkness” makes following the

correct path impossible; it also conceals what is dangerous. *Translations 2, 3, and 4 omit the idea of mortality that is

present in the original Hebrew.