Psalm 23's Trinity III

Psalm 23’s Trinity III:

We left off yesterday having studied the first part of v.4 of Psalm 23:

“By the same token, though I walk in the valley of dark gloom – I fear evil not for you yourself reside within to support me…”

The final part of v.4 typically reads, “…your rod and your staff – they comfort me.”

Remember, in Psalm 23 David is using a metaphor of a shepherd to describe the LORD. As David lifts up this song of praise (that’s what a psalm is) to God – he is telling God that he (David) understands that times stretched out in grassy pastures – AND – times in the valley of dark gloom are IRRELEVANT in life.

Circumstances change moment-by-moment. David is saying that the only thing that matters for him – like sheep in the protective presence of the shepherd – is being in the LORD’s presence. This is where the Hebrew word we typically translate as ‘rod’ is so masterful and perfect. The Hebrew word “šiḇ-ṭə-ḵā,” maintains the flow of the shepherd metaphor (as ‘rod’) WHILE simultaneously highlighting the metaphor’s greater reality and truth: The very essence and character of the LORD is that God is inherently “šiḇ-ṭə-ḵā,” i.e. a ‘tribe’ or community!

The thing that comforts David and allows him to be content, satisfied, and unphased regardless of the good, bad, or ugly circumstances around him is the reality of the LORD’s “šiḇ-ṭə-ḵā,” i.e. YHWH’s ‘rod,’ weapon, strength, and power is eternally sourced in the “šiḇ-ṭə-ḵā,” or ‘tribe’ of God.

David may not have understood this truth in terms of our full contemporary doctrine of Holy Trinity: Father (will), Son (obedience), and Spirit (power & presence), but since 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” we as New Testament believers - people with the fullness of God's revelation - should see it.

For the original Hebrew audience this full verse would convey something like this:

“By the same token, though I walk in the valley of dark gloom – I fear evil not for you yourself reside within to support me, your rod/tribe and your staff – THESE comfort me.”

For the contemporary audience, of any language and culture, this side of the Cross, New Testament, and the full revelation of God as Holy Trinity, this full verse should convey:

“By the same token, though I walk in the valley of dark gloom – I fear evil not for you yourself reside within to support me, your rod/tribe/Trinity and your staff – THESE comfort me.”

Tune in tomorrow for more on Psalm 23!

Blessings,

-Kevin