Psalm 23 Poetic Features
YHWH is My Shepherd
Psalm 23
Poetic Features
In poetic features, we identify and describe the “Top 3 Poetic Features” for each Psalm. Poetic features might include intricate patterns (e.g., chiasms), long range correspondences across the psalm, evocative uses of imagery, sound-plays, allusions to other parts of the Bible, and various other features or combinations of features. For each poetic feature, we describe both the formal aspects of the feature and the poetic effect of the feature. We assume that there is no one-to-one correspondence between a feature’s formal aspects and its effect, and that similar forms might have very different effects depending on their contexts. The effect of a poetic feature is best determined (subjectively) by a thoughtful examination of the feature against the background of the psalm’s overall message and purpose.
Poetic Presence
- v. 6c: For the revocalization of *וְשִבְתִּי*, see exegetical issue The Text of Ps. 23:6b (MT: וְשַׁבְתִּ֥י).
Feature
Verse 4c stands out in several ways:
- Centrality of v. 4c (כִּי־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּדִ֑י - because you are with me); balanced word count (26 words) before and after v. 4c
- v. 4c introduces a shift from speaking about YHWH (3rd person) to addressing him directly (2nd person)
- v. 4 has the most number of lines (five lines) of any verse in the psalm
- v. 4 is the peak of the ascending number of lines-per-verse (from monocolon to bicolon to tricolon to pentacolon)
- v. 4 is the only place where personal pronouns appear in the psalm (אַתָּ֥ה "you" and הֵ֣מָּה "they")
- v. 4 is the only verse with the presence of subordinating markers (גַּ֤ם כִּֽי - "even when" and כִּי "because")
This feature is underscored by an inclusio of the divine name which occurs at beginning and end of the psalm.
Effect
The centrality of v. 4c and the occurrence of the divine name in the first and last verses may serve to emphasize YHWH's constant presence with the psalmist. There was not one day of the psalmist's life when he was alone. No matter where the psalmist was (in green pastures, in a valley, in YHWH's house), God was with him.
Moreover, the ascending number of cola seems to stand in contrast with the psalmist's potential topographical descent into a valley. By contrasting with the descending into a valley, the ascending number of lines subverts the expected outcome of fear. Although the psalmist may descend into a low, dark, and dangerous valley, his confidence is at its highest for YHWH is with him.
Before Beside Behind
- v. 6c: For the revocalization of *וְשִבְתִּי*, see exegetical issue The Text of Ps. 23:6b (MT: וְשַׁבְתִּ֥י).
Feature
The verbs יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי "he leads me" (v. 2b) and יַֽנְחֵ֥נִי "he leads/guides me" (v. 3b) are phonologically and semantically similar. These verbs contrast semantically to the verb יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי "[goodness and loyalty] will pursue me" (v. 6a), with יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי and יַֽנְחֵ֥נִי depicting the first participant in front of/before the second participant, and יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי flipping the image to depict the first participant chasing/behind the second participant. Moreover, the phrase כִּי־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּדִ֑י "because you are with me" is at the center of the psalm, and it highlights the central theme of God's presence with the psalmist. Hence, the phrase כִּי־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּדִ֑י together with the verbs יַֽנְחֵ֥נִי, יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי, and יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי illustrate God's position in relation to the psalmist.
Effect
The verbs יַֽנְחֵ֥נִי ,יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי, and יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי identify YHWH's position with relation to the psalmist. The use of these verbs draws attention to the various ways in which the psalmist has felt YHWH's presence. In the fields and streams, YHWH leads him (i.e., YHWH is before him). In the midst of danger, YHWH stands beside him. And as the psalmist looks ahead to the rest of his life, he knows YHWH's goodness and loyalty will chase after him (i.e., YHWH's attributes will pursue the psalmist from behind). By characterizing YHWH's position as "before, beside, and behind," the psalmist acknowledges the inescapability of God's presence. In other words, God surrounds David and hems him in (cf. Pss 125:2 and 139:5).
Not Alone Not Afraid
- v. 6c: For the revocalization of *וְשִבְתִּי*, see exegetical issue The Text of Ps. 23:6b (MT: וְשַׁבְתִּ֥י).
Feature
Psalm 23 is bound together by a chiastic pattern ABB'A'
- A/A'
- In both "A" sections, YHWH is spoken of in the 3rd person
- Both "A" sections feature David and YHWH as the participants
- B/B'
- In both "B" sections, YHWH is addressed in the 2nd person
- Both "B" sections feature David, YHWH, and harm/adversaries as the participants
Effect
The psalm begins and ends with YHWH and David. In the middle of the psalm, we have the mention of "harm" (v. 4) and "adversaries" (v. 5). Interestingly, they are mentioned precisely at the point where YHWH is the closest to the psalmist (i.e., where David addresses YHWH directly). Only when David is in the presence of harm/adversaries does he begin to address God directly (vv. 4-5) perhaps implying that God's presence is experienced most acutely in time of danger. YHWH will protect David from anything or anyone that could potentially cause him harm.
Repeated Roots
The repeated roots table is intended to identify the roots which are repeated in the psalm.
(For more information, click "Repeated Roots Legend" below.)
The divine name (יְהוָה - YHWH) occurs 2x (vv. 1 and 6 - the divine name is at the beginning and end of the psalm). The following roots also occur 2x within the psalm: שׁוּב (restore/return - vv. 3 and 6) and יוֹם (days v. 6bd). Note: One of the most debatable issues of Psalm 23 concerns the verb וְשַׁבְתִּי in verse 6. Although the Masoretic text reads וְשַׁבְתִּי (from the root שׁוּב - "to return"), we have followed the majority position in reading the text as וְשִבְתִּי (from the root יָשַׁב - "to dwell"). For this reason, the root שׁוּב is not represented in the repeated roots table. See The Text of Ps. 23:6b for a detailed discussion.
Based on our Creator Guidelines, "the repeated roots table is intended to identify content words (i.e. those that have semantic content, as opposed to function words like prepositions or conjunctions)." For this reason, the following roots were repeated throughout the psalm but were not included in the table: כִּי (v. 4ad) and לֹא (vv. 1 and 4).
Possible implications: The Hebrew words כִּי־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּדִ֑י (“because you are with me”) in v. 4c are preceded and succeeded by 26 words, placing them at the very centre of the psalm (cf. van der Lugt 2006, 252). The centrality of v. 4c and the occurrence of the divine name in the first and last verses may serve to emphasize YHWH's presence with the psalmist. There was not one day of the psalmist's life when he was alone. YHWH is always with us.