The Shepherd: Verse 6

Introduction

Psalm 23 NASB 95

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me

The imagery here conjures up a pilgrim

In this world, we often think of evil stalking us like a predator. And, while there may be some truth to that thought, the Psalmist reminds us that—as the people of God—Good follows after us.

Whereas mankind chases after good, good chases the child of God

This does not mean that we will not see pain or suffering, but that as God’s people, good will find us. Sometimes our perception of what “good” is and is not gets cloudy.

Galatians 5:22–23 NASB 95

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Romans 8:28 NASB 95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

All the days of my life

Literally, the length of days

Dwell in the house of the LORD

While we typically think of heaven, this is a direct reference to the Temple

Hebrew term שׁוּב shub literally means “I will return”, and is the same term in v.3 translated, “restores”.

The idea is that the verse means, “I will stay”, and denotes continual fellowship

Forever

literally, lengthy or long days; until the days are gone

Conclusion