Psalms 23:6

3. The believer’s response 23:6

David realized that God’s good loyal love (Heb. hesed) would pursue him throughout his life. To follow here does not mean to bring up the rear but to pursue vigorously (cf. Psalms 83:15). [Note: Kidner, p. 112.] The phrase "goodness and lovingkindness" (NASB) or "goodness and love" (NIV) is a figure of speech (hendiadys) that we could render "good lovingkindness." Dwelling in the Lord’s house (i.e., the sanctuary in Jerusalem) was a picture of enjoying full communion and fellowship with the Lord.

"Yet it is not the place but the vitality of the relationship which transforms." [Note: Brueggemann, p. 156.]

The word translated "dwell" in the Hebrew text implies dwelling after returning there, rather than dwelling already being there. Evidently, David was not in the sanctuary when he composed this psalm, but looked forward to returning to it again and often.

"It is . . . unlikely that Psalms 23 refers to an afterlife in God’s presence, though Psalms 23:4; Psalms 23:6 in particular have sometimes been so understood. Psalms 23:4 refers to the divine shepherd guiding his lamb (the psalmist) through a dangerous dark valley (a symbol for the danger posed by his enemies, cf. Psalms 23:5). In Psalms 23:6 the psalmist expressed his confidence that he would have access to God’s presence (the ’house of the Lord’ refers to the earthly Tabernacle or Temple; cf. Judges 19:18; 1 Samuel 1:7; 1 Samuel 1:24; 2 Samuel 12:20; 1 Kings 7:12; 1 Kings 7:40; 1 Kings 7:45; 1 Kings 7:51) throughout his lifetime. NIV’s ’forever’ translates a Hebrew phrase (’orek yamim, lit. ’length of days’), which, when used elsewhere of men, usually refers to a lengthy period of time (such as one’s lifetime), not eternity (cf. Deuteronomy 30:20; Job 12:12; Psalms 91:16; Proverbs 3:2; Proverbs 3:16; Lamentations 5:20). . . .

"While the psalmist may not have been speaking specifically of an afterlife in God’s presence, in the progress of revelation his words come to express such a hope for God’s people, who now understand the full ramifications of the psalm’s affirmation that God protects His own. In the same way the statements in Psalms 17:15; Psalms 49:15; and Psalms 73:24 become, on the lips of a Christian, a testimony of faith in God’s final vindication of the righteous, even beyond the grave." [Note: Chisholm, "A Theology . . .," pp. 287, 288.]

The Lord’s goodness to His people, as seen in His leading and providing for us, should motivate us to appreciate our security in Him and to abide in fellowship with Him. [Note: An excellent brief booklet (61 pages) to give someone in need of the comfort spoken of in this psalm is Haddon Robinson’s, Psalm Twenty-Three. See also Swindoll, pp. 67-82; and Allen, Lord of . . ., pp. 71-86.]

If you anticipate or are presently doing pastoral ministry, try putting your name in the place of the shepherd as you read this psalm. This exercise will help you evaluate your effectiveness.