Fathers

Psalms 23

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Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 23:5

Eastern Fathers

Cyprian

Since, then, neither the apostle himself nor an angel from heaven can preach or teach any otherwise than Christ has once taught and His apostles have announced, I wonder very much whence has originated this practice, that, contrary to evangelical and apostolical discipline, water is offered in some places in the Lord's cup, which water by itself cannot express the blood of Christ. …

Epistle LXII.11 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"You have prepared a table in my sight, against them that trouble me" [Psalm 23:5]. Now after the rod, whereby, while 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, You have prepared a table in my sight, that I should no more be fed as a babe with milk, [1 Corinthians 3:2] but being older should take meat, strengthened against them that trouble me. …

Exposition on Psalm 23 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

"You have prepared a banquet in my sight." This banquet consists of the living Bread, the Word of God. At this banquet there is the oil of sanctification, poured richly over the head of the just. This oil strengthens the inner senses. It does away with the oil of the sinner that fattens the head. In this banquet, too, you have the cup that inebriates: "how excellent" it is, or "how powerful," for the Greek has kratiston, meaning most mighty, strong or powerful. Surely it is a powerful cup that washes away every stain of sin.

Commentaries on the Twelve Davidic Psalms ↗

Thomas Aquinas

With regard to the second he says, "you have prepared a table before me," a table of twofold doctrine. Prov. 9: "She has set forth her table; she has sent her handmaids to call to the tower," where there are diverse courses, namely, diverse spiritual teachings. And this "before me," because he meditates on the law day and night, Ps. 1. Or the sacramental table, namely of the altar. For a threefold table is read of in sacred Scripture. The first is the table of the Old Law. Ex. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗