Expositions on the Book of Psalms 23
23.0 Psalm XXIII PL 36, 126
23.1 Psalm XXIII PL 36, 183
1. The Church speaks to Christ: “The Lord feedeth me, and I shall lack nothing” (ver. 1). The Lord Jesus Christ is my Shepherd, “and I shall lack nothing.”
[vers. 1.] Psalmus ipsi David, de clarificatione et resurrectione Domini, quae matutino primae sabbati facta est, qui jam dies dominicus dicitur.
23.2 PL 36, 183
2. “In a place of pasture there hath He placed me” (ver. 2). In a place of fresh pasture, leading me to faith, there hath He placed me to be nourished. “By the water of refreshing hath He brought me up.” By the water of baptism, whereby they are refreshed who have lost health and strength, hath He brought me up.
[vers. 2.] Domini est terra et plenitudo ejus, orbis terrarum et universi qui habitant in ea: cum clarificatus Dominus annuntiatur in fidem omnium gentium, et universus orbis terrarum fit Ecclesia ejus. Ipse super maria fundavit eam: ipse firmissime stabilivit eam super omnes fluctus saeculi hujus, ut ab ea superarentur, nec nocerent ei. Et super flumina praeparavit eam: flumina in mare fluunt, et cupidi homines labuntur in saeculum; etiam istos superat Ecclesia quae devictis per Dei gratiam cupiditatibus saecularibus ad recipiendam immortalitatem charitate parata est.
23.3 PL 36, 183
3. “He hath converted my soul: He hath led me forth in the paths of righteousness, for His Name’s sake” (ver. 3). He hath brought me forth in the narrow ways, wherein few walk, of His righteousness; not for my merit’s sake, but for His Name’s sake.
[vers. 3.] Quis ascendet in montem Domini? quis ascendet in altissimam justitiam Domini? Aut quis stabit in loco sancto ejus? aut quis permanebit in eo, quo ascendet, super maria fundato et super flumina praeparato loco?
23.4 PL 36, 183
4. “Yea, though I walk in the midst of the shadow of death” (ver. 4). Yea, though I walk in the midst of this life, which is the shadow of death. “I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.” I will fear no evil, for Thou dwellest in my heart by faith: and Thou art now with me, that after the shadow of death I too may be with Thee. “Thy rod and Thy staff, they have comforted me.” Thy discipline, like a rod for a flock of sheep, and like a staff for children of some size, and growing out of the natural into spiritual life, they have not been grievous to me; rather have they comforted me: because Thou art mindful of me.
[vers. 4.] Innocens manibus et mundus corde: quis ergo illuc ascendet, et permanebit ibi, nisi innocens in operibus, et mundus in cogitationibus? Qui non accepit in vano animam suam: qui non in rebus non permanentibus deputavit animam suam, sed eam immortalem sentiens, aeternitatem stabilem atque incommutabilem desideravit. Et non juravit proximo suo in dolo: et ideo sine dolo, sicut simplicia et non fallentia sunt aeterna, ita se praebuit proximo suo.
23.5 PL 36, 183
5. “Thou hast prepared a table in my sight, against them that trouble me” (ver. 5). Now after the rod, whereby, whilst a little one, and living the natural life, I was brought up among the flock in the pastures; after that rod, I say, when I began to be under the staff, Thou hast prepared a table in my sight, that I should no more be fed as a babe with milk, but being older should take meat, strengthened against them that trouble me. “Thou hast fattened my head with oil.” Thou hast gladdened my mind with spiritual joy. “And Thy inebriating cup, how excellent is it!” And Thy cup yielding forgetfulness of former vain delights, how excellent is it!
[vers. 5.] Hic accipiet benedictionem a Domino, et misericordiam a Deo salutari suo.
23.6 PL 36, 183
6. “And Thy mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:” that is, as long as I live in this mortal life, not Thine, but mine. “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord for length of days” (ver. 6). Now Thy mercy shall follow me not here only, but also that I may dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
[vers. 6.] Haec est generatio quaerentium Dominum: sic enim nascuntur qui quaerunt eum. Quaerentium faciem Dei Jacob: quaerunt autem faciem Dei, qui posterius nato primatum dedit.