The Field's Musings

Psalm 23 Contd Structure: V1-4 The Great Metaphor V5-6 The Shift in the Great Metaphor The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will 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 anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwel

Psalm Titles There are parallels between the Psalms and other areas of scripture. This would imply the authenticity of the Psalms. For example the content of Psalm 3 resembles the events in 2 Sam 15-17. The NT writers are familiar with the superscriptions in the Psalms. For example Paul mentions Psalms 32 and 69 in Romans 4:6-8 and Romans 11:9-10 respectively. Paul speaks about David’s authorship although this is not mentioned in the Psalm. Peter in Acts 2 attributes Psalm110 to David although Davidic authorship is not mentioned in the Psalm. See also Jesus in Mark 12 and Psalm 110. The Psalm titles are included in the earliest versions of the Psalms. Septuagint (3C-2C BC) includes Psalm superscriptions. It is likely that Paul used this version. There are some minor variations to modern texts. This is likely to be due to Septuagint translators having a lack of understanding of musical notation. Psalm 23 Pslams build up the conflict between the seed of the woman and the seed