Псалом 23

According to the inscription, the psalm belongs to David, and by the similarity of its content with Psalm 14 (cf. Ps. 23:3-4 with Ps. 14:1, 3), the reason for writing can be considered the same with the latter, this is the transfer of the Icon of the Covenant from the house of Abaddar to the tabernacle of Zion, when the procession was already approaching the narrow and small gates of Jerusalem, why David exclaims, “Lift up the gates, your tops” (Ps. 23:7, 9). The addition to the inscription is “on the first day of the week,” borrowed from Greek. Bible, indicates the time of the liturgical performance of the psalm on the first day beginning the week, which corresponds to our resurrection, since the week ended with Saturday for the Jews. The Lord is great: the earth and everything on it belongs to Him (1–2). Therefore, one who is pure in thoughts, deeds and words, who seeks Him, can therefore dwell near God in Zion (3-5). Gate of the city! Lift up your heads to make a free entrance for the Lord who comes through you! He is the king of glory, mighty in battle, He is the Lord of hosts (6–10)! Ps.23:1. The earth is the Lord's and what fills it, the universe and everything that lives in it, Ps.23:2. for He founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers. Since the Lord is the Creator of the earth, both it and everything that fills it belongs to him, that is, the animal and plant kingdoms, the organic and inorganic world, visible and invisible. He founded it “on the seas and on the rivers.” The volume of the Earth is less than the amount of water on the globe [In all likelihood, the author is referring to the ratio of land area to water on Earth, which is 29% and 71%, respectively. – Approx. ed. ]. The power of God and His omnipotence is clearly expressed in the fact that the earth occupies a firm and durable position, despite the fact that it is in the midst of moving elements. Ps.23:4. The one whose hands are innocent and whose heart is pure, who has not sworn with his soul in vain and has not sworn falsely [to his neighbor]— Those who have not committed a bad outward act (“innocent hands”), who are pure in thought (“pure heart”), and who have not sinned in word: have not made false oaths and have not falsely called upon God, are worthy to dwell near the Lord on Mount Zion. Ps.23:6. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, those who seek Your face, O God of Jacob! David considers “those who seek Your face” to be worthy of dwelling in Zion. This most closely includes Jews, as the only bearers and servants of Jehovah. Ps.23:7. Lift up your heights, O gates, and be lifted up, O eternal doors, and the King of glory will enter! Ps.23:8. Who is this King of glory? - The Lord is mighty and strong, the Lord is mighty in battle. “Lift up your heights, O gates.” The gates in ancient cities were very low, with a lifting top. They are called eternal because they are of the most ancient origin. The procession approached Jerusalem and consisted of the Levites carrying on their shoulders the Icon of the Covenant, on the lid of which were decorations made of cherubs. The gates of Zion, with their top not raised, were not large enough for the Lord enthroned on the Cherubim to pass through. The more noble the person entering the gate, the more unhindered the entrance should be. This is where the “King of Glory” Himself now enters. This King of glory is the Lord of hosts, “mighty in battle,” the One who is the conqueror of all nations and to whom David owes the taking of Mount Zion from the Jebusites. You might be interested in: