Ps 23 with commentary

Ps 23 with commentary by Dr NoelDonnelly

Psalm 23 Commentary.

There’s a saying, “A good beginning makes for a good end!” Psalm 23 ensures this happens because it begins and ends with the same idea: the unchallengeable Kingship of the Lord, the King of Glory.

In between these sections we find what is often called an “entrance” psalm. It had originally a liturgical setting. In this we find the pilgrims coming to the door of the Temple for prayer and they meet the doorkeeper who challenges them about who they are and their purpose in coming to stand in the Holy Place. They respond with the words that their hands are clean (a phrase that occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament) and that in their relations with their neighbours they have been fair. And so, they are admitted in the name of the King of Glory for a blessing. The temple gates are opened to them as they first were lifted up to admit the Ark of the Covenant and to welcome that great King, Solomon the Wise. There is no casual entrance here: personal preparation is essential, involving both clean hearts or  motivation and the clean hands of just living.

Psalm 23 is a great psalm for entering prayer, especially when we recall its liturgical roots and the wonderful religious history to which we belong. Through it we can be caught up into the communion of saints moving in procession with the ascended Christ, walking hand in hand together as the People of God and entering into the Kingdom of Glory with our victorious Saviour.  Surely a good end for us after our many good beginnings!