Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

23:5-6 The Lord as Host. Some have argued that the image of shepherd and sheep is still present here; but the mention of a table, of putting oil on the head, the cup, and the Lord's "house," all show that the psalm now describes the faithful person as God's guest at a meal ("prepare a table"). The enemies are powerless to prevent the enjoyment of God's generous hospitality (perhaps they are there as captives at a victory celebration). Goodness and mercy (ESV footnote, "steadfast love") are the assurance for the faithful that God has showered his grace upon them. For a non-Levite to dwell in the house of the Lord is to have ready access to the sanctuary for worship (cf. 27:4). As the ESV footnote explains, forever is literally, "for length of days"; this may simply be another way of saying all the days of my life, but is more likely to be meant as "for days without end" (cf. 21:4; 93:5, "forevermore").