Psalm 23 Story behind the Psalm

Psalm Overview

• Grammar
• Semantics
• Story behind the Psalm
• Discourse
• Poetics

About the Story Behind Layer

The Story behind the Psalm shows how each part of the psalm fits together into a single coherent whole. Whereas most semantic analysis focuses on discrete parts of a text such as the meaning of a word or phrase, Story Behind the Psalm considers the meaning of larger units of discourse, including the entire psalm. (Click 'Expand' to the right for more information.)

Expand

The goal of this layer is to reconstruct and visualise a mental representation of the text as the earliest hearers/readers might have conceptualised it. We start by identifying the propositional content of each clause in the psalm, and then we identify relevant assumptions implied by each of the propositions. During this process, we also identify and analyse metaphorical language (“imagery”). Finally, we try to see how all of the propositions and assumptions fit together to form a coherent mental representation. The main tool we use for structuring the propositions and assumptions is a story triangle, which visualises the rise and fall of tension within a semantic unit. Although story triangles are traditionally used to analyse stories in the literary sense of the word, we use them at this layer to analyse “stories” in the cognitive sense of the word—i.e., a story as a sequence of propositions and assumptions that has tension.

Story Behind Visuals for Psalm 23

Summary Triangle

The story triangle below summarises the story of the whole psalm. We use the same colour scheme as in Participant Analysis. The star icon along the edge of the story-triangle indicates the point of the story in which the psalm itself (as a speech event) takes place. We also include a theme at the bottom of the story. The theme is the main message conveyed by the story-behind.

Background ideas

Following are the common-ground assumptionsCommon-ground assumptions include information shared by the speaker and hearers. In our analysis, we mainly use this category for Biblical/Ancient Near Eastern background. which are the most helpful for making sense of the psalm.

• God is often referred to as the shepherd of his people (e.g., Pss 80:1; 95:7; 100:3; Isa 40:11). However, in Ps 23:1, YHWH is presented as David's personal shepherd; i.e., the one who leads, provides, and protects David.
• The anointing with a fine, spiced oil was a customary expression of hospitality. Prior to entering the banqueting room, the host would anoint the guest's head with oil (Pss 45:7; 92:10; 133:2; Amos 6:6; Luke 7:46).
• "You arrange a table" means to set out food and drink for dining. This was a gesture of hospitality (Gen 18:1–8; Exod 2:18–20; Ps 78:19).
• It was the host's responsibility to provide food, water, and lodging for the guests and their animals. The host was also responsible for providing protection to his guests from all enemies.

Background situation

The background situation is the series of events leading up to the time in which the psalm is spoken. These are taken from the story triangle – whatever lies to the left of the star icon.

Expanded paraphrase

The expanded paraphrase seeks to capture the implicit information within the text and make it explicit for readers today. It is based on the CBC translation and uses italic text to provide the most salient background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences.

v. 1

A psalm written by David expressing confidence in YHWH's providence and protection. Like a sheep, I need a shepherd who knows my needs intimately so that he can meet them. I depend upon my shepherd because I cannot meet my needs on my own. Yet, I do not need to worry because YHWH is my shepherd; who provides for all of my needs. Therefore, I will never lack [anything]. When I need food, water, and a place to rest,

v. 2

He makes a way for me to lie down in green pastures where I can eat and rest, and He leads me to water where I can drink and rest.

v. 3

He is a source of refreshment like no other; when I feel physically deprived of food, water, and rest, He restores my life by giving me nourishment. YHWH, my shepherd, is more than a provider, he is also a guide. I am not lost or aimless because He leads me securely where I should go. Life is fraught with conflict and trial, and the only safe path is following YHWH closely, pursuing righteousness. My security is that he leads me in paths of righteousness which enable me to live a righteous life. My confidence is in knowing that, ultimately, he does this not merely for my sake but, rather, for the sake of his name, because he receives honor when his servants pursue righteousness. His reputation, or name, benefits. He chooses paths that honor him and care for me, because he is a good shepherd. A "right path" does not necessarily mean a safe path. Sheep may need to go on dangerous paths on their way to pasture or water. The safety comes not from the path but from the shepherd’s presence, because he protects his sheep.

v. 4

Therefore, Even when I walk in a valley of darkness under threat of predators and enemies, I will not fear harm, because you, YHWH, are with me. Your rod defends me against predators and your staff directs me, making it so I always know where to go: because they offer me both protection and guidance, they comfort me.

v. 5

You care for me even more than a shepherd cares for his sheep, though. You treat me like an honored guest, whom you chosen to invite under your protection, to provide for all my needs. You act like a gracious host: You arrange a table before me, setting out abundant food and drink. Like the shepherd who ensures both that the sheep eat and drink and also that they are protected from predators, you not only provide food and drink, but you do so in the presence of my adversaries — my enemies get to see your abundant provision for me! Not only can they not harm me, as long as I am under your protection, but they see and know that I am under your care. They would like to attack and defeat me, but you do the opposite: you treat me as an honorable guest: You have anointed my head with fine, spiced oil the way gracious hosts do, and now you fill the table with food and drink. In fact, you provide so much that I cannot even drink it all before you pour more wine. You provide so much that My cup is overflowing.

v. 6

With you as my shepherd and host, Surely your goodness and loyalty, instead of anything or anyone that could cause me harm, will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in YHWH's house, that is, I will continue to receive all the privileges and blessings of being your guest, in your presence, for as long as I live.

Story Triangles

Assumptions Table

Bibliography

Briggs, Charles Augustus, and Emilie Grace Briggs. 1906. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on The Book of Psalms, Vol. I. New York: C. Scribner’s Sons.

Buttenwieser, Moses. 1969. The Psalms: Chronologically Treated with A New Translation. New York: KTAV Publishing House, INC.

Ross, Allen P. 2011. A Commentary on the Psalms 1-41. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Kregel.

VanGemeren, Willem. 2008. Psalms: The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Wilson, Gerald H. 2002. The NIV Application Commentary: Psalms. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.