Chapter 22

The proposed psalm is sung on behalf of the pagans, who are delighted that the Lord is shepherding them, and also describe the mysterious meal that He who shepherds them Himself offered them. Ps.23:1. The Lord shepherds me. Those who flock Him are magnified in the Lord. Ps.22:2. In the place of the evil place, they moved me there. That is, he placed me among the green flock, meaning the mental flock. Raise me calmly on the water. By “still water” we can mean the waters of holy baptism, as cleansing from the burden of sin. He granted this to me, caring first of all for my soul, and returning it from the crossroads so that I could follow the straight path. Ps.22:3. Convert my soul. Having returned my soul to Himself from the devil’s captivity, He guided me to His commandments - from death to life. How, having long despised his own soul, and restored to his strength by the food mentioned above, and returning from death, he says: turn my soul... to the paths of righteousness, that is, to the gospel dogmas. Ps.22:4. Even if I walk in the midst of the canopy of death. As if he were addressing the Father. He calls Christ himself a rod of power, a rod of glory, a rod of greatness. Just as the rod instructs, so an active life teaches one to moderate passions. Thy rod and Thy club comfort me. He understands Christ himself, as well as what was said: “the Lord will send a rod of strength from Zion” (Ps. 109:2), and “a rod of strength and a rod of glory” (Jer. 48:17). The “rod” is the force of admonition, and the “club” is the help provided in consolation. Ps.22:5. You have prepared a meal before me. Means a mysterious meal. Thou hast anointed my head with oil. And this signifies the mysterious anointing. And Your cup makes me drunken. Again he means mysterious joy. Ps.22:6. And Your mercy will marry me all the days. For those who partake of all that has been said above will always be in the mercy of God, and will even dwell in the house of the Lord. You might be interested in: