Exegetical issues for Psalm 23:

Introduction

The Hebrew text of Psalm 23:3 reads as follows:^[1]

נַפְשִׁ֥י יְשֹׁובֵ֑ב

יַֽנְחֵ֥נִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶ֝֗דֶק

לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמֹֽו׃

In line v. 3b, the psalmist states that YHWH leads him בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק. This prepositional phrase has been interpreted in two main ways.^[2] Consider, for example, the translations below:

He leads me in right paths (NET)

He leads me in paths of righteousness (ESV)

These translations seem to be interpreting מַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק as referring to YHWH leading the psalmist (1) to walk in safe and correct paths or (2) to walk in the way of righteousness. Some scholars have proposed a third option in which מַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק is regarded as having a double meaning; i.e., it refers to both "the right paths" and "the paths of righteousness."^[3]

Argument Maps

Right paths

Some interpreters understand בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק as "right paths"; i.e., "safe" or "correct" paths where no harm will befall,^[4] paths that lead to pastures, wells, or the fold"^[5] (e.g., NET, NIV, CEV, BDS, HFA, GNB, etc.).


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[Right paths]: בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק in the context of Ps 23 should be understood as "right paths;" i.e., safe, straight, or correct paths (cf. Clines 2002, 73-74 :A: and Abraham Ibn Ezra 2009, 180 :C:).#dispreferred
 + <Shepherd metaphor>: "Within the shepherd/sheep metaphor, the phrase likely refers to 'right' or 'correct' paths, i.e., ones that lead to pastures, wells, or the fold" (NET).#dispreferred
   <_ <Sheep and human>: Although "right paths" is appropriate within the shepherding metaphor, the metaphor’s target domain (human) implies a moral element to the term צֶדֶק. In other words, "'paths of righteousness,' in terms of sheep, mean no more than 'the right paths,' but have, further, a demanding moral content for the human flock" (Kidner 1973, 110 :C:).
 + <Ps 107:7>: Psalm 107:7 mentions "God’s guidance of those in distress on a 'path' \[straight path\] that will lead them to an inhabited city" (Abernethy 2015, 13 :A:). Here, "path/way" carries its literal sense instead of a moral connotation (cf. also Pss. 23:4 and 107:10 for another possible connection between these two psalms through the reference צלמות).#dispreferred 
  + [Psalm 107:7]: "He led them by a straight way \[בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ יְשָׁרָ֑ה\] till they reached a city to dwell in" (ESV).#dispreferred 
 - <Ethical nuance>: The word צֶדֶק typically carries a moral or ethical nuance.
  + [Ethical nuance]: Isa 41:10 בִּימִ֥ין צִדְקִֽי ("with my righteous right hand"); Ps 9:5 שֹׁופֵ֥ט צֶֽדֶק ("righteous judgment"); Prov 8:20 and 12:28 בְּאֹֽרַח־צְדָקָ֥ה ("in the way, path of righteousness"); etc.
  <_ <Less abstract things>: "While צֶדֶק usually does carry a moral or ethical nuance, it can occasionally refer to less abstract things, such as weights and offerings. In this context, which emphasizes divine provision and protection, the underlying reality is probably God’s providential guidance. The psalmist is confident that God takes him down paths that will ultimately lead to something beneficial, not destructive" (NET).#dispreferred 
   + [Less abstract things]: Ps 4:6 זִבְחֵי־צֶ֑דֶק ("right sacrifices"); Lev 19:36 מֹ֧אזְנֵי צֶ֣דֶק אַבְנֵי־צֶ֗דֶק ‬אֵ֥יפַת צֶ֛דֶק וְהִ֥ין צֶ֖דֶק ("You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin" \[ESV\]).#dispreferred 
 - <Right path>: A "right path" does not necessarily mean a safe path. Sheep may walk in places where danger is present and still be in the right path. The safety comes from the shepherd's presence who protects his sheep.

Paths of righteousness

Some interpreters understand בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק as "paths of righteousness" which is a metaphorical reference to "Yahweh’s guidance on the way of life in accordance with his 'ethical code' of conduct, in other words, the Torah”^[6] (e.g., ESV, NBS, ELB, EÜ, etc.).


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[Paths of righteousness]: בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק in the context of Ps 23 should be understood as "paths of righteousness" (cf. Botha 2015, 296-297 :A: and Kirkpatrick 1906, 126 :C:).#dispreferred 
 + <Predominant Usage>: The word מעגל (denoting a "track, path, or road") is "often used in a metaphorical sense of a way of living" (Briggs 2021, 123 :C:. So, SDBH: The use of the word מעגל is "often extended to denote our journey through life" \[SDBH :L:\]).#dispreferred 
  + [Predominant Usage]: "I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness \[בְּמַעְגְּלֵי־יֹֽשֶׁר\]" (Prov 4:11, ESV. Cf. also Prov 2:9, 15; Isa 26:7; 59:8; etc.).#dispreferred 
  + <מעגל in the book of Proverbs>: In Proverbs, the word מעגל is associated with "the metaphor of life as a journey in compliance with 'wisdom teaching'" (Botha 2015, 292 :A:). In Ps 23:3, מעגל is associated with the metaphor of life as a journey in compliance not primarily with wisdom teaching but with the ''Torah'' (Botha 2015, 296-297 :A:).#dispreferred 
   + [מעגל in the book of Proverbs]: Those who comply with the norms of wisdom teaching are following the "paths of righteousness" (Prov 4:11 בְּמַעְגְּלֵי־יֹֽשֶׁר), "every good path" (Prov 2:9 כָּל‬־מַעְגַּל־טֹֽוב) (cf. Botha 2015, 293 :A:; Prov 2:15, 18; 4:26; 5:6, 21; 12:28; etc.).#dispreferred 
  + <מעגל in Ps 17:5>: In Ps 17:5, the word  מעגל most likely refers to God's commandments. "The psalmist uses the familiar figure of walking down a road to refer to his complete submission to Yahweh’s commands" (Bratcher and Reyburn 1991, 152 :C:).#dispreferred 
   + [Ps 17:5]: "My steps have held fast to your paths \[בְּמַעְגְּלֹותֶ֑יךָ\]; my feet have not slipped" (ESV).#dispreferred 
 + <Pss 5, 15, and 24>: Pss 5, 15, and 24 describe righteous living as the requisite for entrance into YHWH's house. Since in Ps 23 the psalmist is journing towards YHWH's house (cf. Ps 23:6), it makes sense for paths of righteousness to refer to way of living.#dispreferred 
  + [Pss 5, 15, and 24]: Ps 5:9 Lead me, YHWH, in your righteousness (יְהוָ֤ה׀ נְחֵ֬נִי בְצִדְקָתֶ֗ךָ). He who walks blamelessly and does what is right (Ps 15:2 הֹולֵ֣ךְ תָּ֭מִים וּפֹעֵ֥ל צֶ֑דֶק), who has clean hands and a pure heart (Ps 24:4 נְקִ֥י כַפַּ֗יִם וּֽבַר־לֵ֫בָ֥ב) can dwell in YHWH's holy place.#dispreferred 
 + <Parallel>: In Ps 19:8, "YHWH's instruction" is mentioned together with "life's restoration." In Ps 23:3, the psalmist mentioned "life's restoration" together with "paths of righteousness". In view of this similarity, "paths of righteousness" probably refers to God's instructions for conduct.#dispreferred 
  + [Ps 19:8]: תֹּ֘ורַ֤ת יְהוָ֣ה תְּ֭מִימָה מְשִׁ֣יבַת נָ֑פֶשׁ (YHWH's instruction is perfect, restoring life).#dispreferred 
  + [Ps 23:3]: נַפְשִׁ֥י יְשֹׁובֵ֑ב יַֽנְחֵ֥נִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶ֝֗דֶק (He restores my life, he leads me in paths of righteousness).#dispreferred 
 - <Sheep>: The sheep imagery continues throughout vv. 1-4; therefore, the imagery “can hardly be an ethical sheep with an interest in ‘paths of righteousness’ . . . \[בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶ֝֗דֶק\] refers to paths that are right for the sheep, which must mean: paths that lead to food and water, even if they run through a dark valley (v. 4)” (Clines 2002, 73-74 :A:).
  <_ <Transition>: With the prepositional phrase בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶ֝֗דֶק ("paths of righteousness"), the psalmist "glides from the sheep metaphor to speaking of himself in human terms" (Alter 2019, 71 :C:).#dispreferred

Double meaning (preferred)

Some interpreters understand בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק as referring to both "paths of righteousness" and "right paths" (cf. Kidner 1973, 110; Miller 1986, 115; Brown 2002, 36; Jacobson 2014, 242; etc.).


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[Double meaning]: בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק in the context of Ps 23 should be understood as both "paths of righteousness" and "right paths" (cf. Kidner 1973, 110 :C:; Miller 1986, 115 :C:; Brown 2002, 36 :C:; Jacobson 2014, 242 :C:). 
 + <Viability of both interpretations>: Both interpretations ("right paths" and "paths of righteousness") are viable in the context (see the argument maps above).
 + <Double meaning in Hebrew poetry>: Hebrew poetry sometimes encourages the reader to understand a word, phrase, or sentence in multiple ways (Raabe 1991, 213 :A:).
  + <Song 2:12>: E.g., The noun זָמִיר in Song of Songs 2:12 may be understood as "pruning" in light of the reference to "flowers." It may also be understood as "song" in light of the mention to "voice of the turtledove." Hence, זָמִיר "is multivalent, retrospectively an agricultural term and prospectively a musical term" (Raabe 1991, 215 :A:).
   + [Song 2:12]: "The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the זָמִיר has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land" \[Song 2:12\] (Raabe 1991, 215 :A:).

Conclusion (B)

The phrase בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק probably carries a double meaning; the prepositional phrase "connotes both physical security and moral integrity."^[7] This interpretation best accounts for the nature of the poetic imagery. Within the context of the metaphor, the shepherd has a duty to guide his sheep along paths which will provide them with safety, sustenance, and rest, i.e., the "right paths." Yet the psalmist is a human, not a sheep. Hence, within the target domain (human) the prepositional phrase contains a moral element so that it refers to "paths of righteousness." The paths of righteousness represent obedience to YHWH's instruction, and by following them David obtains safety, sustenance, and rest.

Research

Translations

Ancient

LXX: ὡδήγησέν με ἐπὶ τρίβους δικαιοσύνης^[8] ("He led me into paths of righteousness").^[9]
Peshitta: ܘܕܒܪܢܝ ܒܫܒ̈ܝܠܝ ܩܘܫܬܐ܂ ("He has guided me in the paths of truth").^[10]
Jerome Hebr.: duxit me per semitas iustitiae^[11] ("He has led me along the paths of justice/righteousness").
Targum: דברני בהלכות צדקא ("He leads me in the ways of righteousness").^[12]

Modern

"right, safe paths"

English
- He leads me down the right paths (NET)
- He guides me along the right paths (NIV)
- You lead me along the right paths (CEV)
- He guides me in the right paths (GNT)
- He guides me along right paths (NLT)
- [He] guides me in the right path (NEB)
- He guides me in the right paths (REB)
- He leads me in right paths^[13] (NRSV)
- He guides me in right paths (JPS, 1985)

French
- Il me conduit sur le droit chemin (BDS)
- Il me guide sur le bon chemin (PDV)
- Il me guide sur la bonne voie (NFC)
- Il me guide par les bons sentiers (TOB)

German
- Er führet mich auf rechter Straße (Luther 2017)
- Er leitet mich auf sicheren Wegen (HFA)
- Auf sicheren Wegen leitet er mich (GNB)

Spanish
- Y me lleva por caminos rectos (DHH)
- Guía por sendas de justicia (BTX4)

"paths of righteousness"

English
- He leads me in paths of righteousness^[14] (ESV)
- He leads me in paths of righteousness (LSV)

French
- Il me conduit sur les sentiers de la justice (NBS)
- Il me conduit dans les sentiers de la justice^[15] (NVSR)
- Il me conduit dans les sentiers de la justice (S21)

German
- Er leitet mich in Pfaden der Gerechtigkeit (ELB)
- Er führt mich auf Pfaden der Gerechtigkeit (EÜ)
- Er leitet mich auf Pfaden der Gerechtigkeit (ZÜR)

Spanish
- Me guiará por sendas de justicia (RVR95)
- Me guía por sendas de justicia (NVI)

Secondary Literature

Abernethy, Andrew T. 2015. " 'Right Paths' and/or 'Paths of Righteousness'? Examining Psalm 23.3b within The Psalter." Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 39, no. 3: 299–318.

Alter, Robert. 2019. The Hebrew Bible: The Writings. Vol. 3. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Botha, Phil. 2015. "The 'Tracks of Righteousness' of Psalm 23." Old Testament Essays. Vol.28, n.2: 283-300.

Bratcher, Robert G., and William D. Reyburn. 1991. A Translator's Handbook on the Book of Psalms. New York: UBS Handbook Series.

Briggs, Richard S. 2021. The Lord is My Shepherd: Psalm 23 For The Life of The Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Clines, David J. A. 2006. "Translating Psalm 23" in Reflection and Refraction: Studies in Biblical Historiography in Honour of A. Graeme Auld. Edited by Robert Rezetko, Timothy H. Lim, and W. Brian Aucker. Vetus Testamentum Supplements, 113. Leiden: Brill: 67-80.

Goldingay, John. 2006. Psalms: Psalms 1-41. Vol. 1. BCOT. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Kidner, Derek. 1973. Psalms 1-72: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

Kirkpatrick, Alexander F. 1906. The Book of Psalms. London: Cambridge University Press.

Kissane, Monsignor Edward J. 1953. The Book of Psalms: Translated from A Critically Revised Hebrew Text. Vol. 1. Maryland: The Newman Press.

Jacobson, Rolf A. 2014. “Psalm 23: You Are with Me.” Pages 238-246 in The Book of Psalms. Edited by Nancy L. DeClaissé-Walford, Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth Laneel Tanner. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans.

Miller, Patrick D. 1986. Interpreting the Psalms. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

Raabe, Paul. 1991. “Deliberate Ambiguity in the Psalter,” Journal of Biblical Literature 110, no. 2: 213–227.

Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra's Commentary on the First Book of Psalms: Chapter 1-41. 2009. Translated and annoted by H. Norman Strickman. Boston: Academic Studies Press.

Wilson, Gerald H. Wilson. 2002. Psalms. Volume 1. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

References

23:3 Approved

↑ Hebrew text from OSHB.
↑
Below are two additional suggestions on how to interpret בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק (Ps 23:3). These suggestions do not have strong scholarly support and so will not be covered in the argument maps.
- For Kissane, paths of righteousness do not refer to right or straight paths; instead, they refer to paths which lead to happiness or success. In other words, righteousness here means "success" or "happiness" (Kissane 1953, 104).
- Goldingay interprets בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק as "paths of faithfulness." According to the author, these paths "are not merely right paths in the sense of paths that lead to the right places, the places with grass and water. Nor is the psalm introducing a moral note and asking to be led to live the right kind of life. Faithful paths are paths consistent with the divine shepherd’s faithfulness" (Goldingay 2006, 350).
↑ Cf. Miller 1986, 115; Jacobson 2014, 242; Kidner 1973, 110. Some translations of the prepositional phrase בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק are ambiguous. For example, many English translations translate the phrase as “right paths” which could refer either to "safe paths" or to "paths of righteousness."
↑ Miller 1986, 115.
↑ NET.
↑ Botha 2015, 296.
↑ Brown 2002, 36.
↑ Rahlfs 1931, 120.
↑ NETS.
↑ Taylor 2021, 81.
↑ Weber-Gryson 1994, 795.
↑ Stec 2004, 61.
↑ Translation footnote: "Or paths of righteousness."
↑ Translation footnote: "Or in right paths."
↑ Translation footnote: "justice. C'est-à-dire dans les sentiers justes, droits, bons."

[1] Hebrew text from OSHB.

[2] Below are two additional suggestions on how to interpret בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק (Ps 23:3). These suggestions do not have strong scholarly support and so will not be covered in the argument maps.
For Kissane, paths of righteousness do not refer to right or straight paths; instead, they refer to paths which lead to happiness or success. In other words, righteousness here means "success" or "happiness" (Kissane 1953, 104).

Goldingay interprets בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק as "paths of faithfulness." According to the author, these paths "are not merely right paths in the sense of paths that lead to the right places, the places with grass and water. Nor is the psalm introducing a moral note and asking to be led to live the right kind of life. Faithful paths are paths consistent with the divine shepherd’s faithfulness" (Goldingay 2006, 350).

[3] For Kissane, paths of righteousness do not refer to right or straight paths; instead, they refer to paths which lead to happiness or success. In other words, righteousness here means "success" or "happiness" (Kissane 1953, 104).

[4] Goldingay interprets בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק as "paths of faithfulness." According to the author, these paths "are not merely right paths in the sense of paths that lead to the right places, the places with grass and water. Nor is the psalm introducing a moral note and asking to be led to live the right kind of life. Faithful paths are paths consistent with the divine shepherd’s faithfulness" (Goldingay 2006, 350).

[3] Cf. Miller 1986, 115; Jacobson 2014, 242; Kidner 1973, 110. Some translations of the prepositional phrase בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶדֶק are ambiguous. For example, many English translations translate the phrase as “right paths” which could refer either to "safe paths" or to "paths of righteousness."

[4] Miller 1986, 115.

[5] NET.

[6] Botha 2015, 296.

[7] Brown 2002, 36.

[8] Rahlfs 1931, 120.

[9] NETS.

[10] Taylor 2021, 81.

[11] Weber-Gryson 1994, 795.

[12] Stec 2004, 61.

[13] Translation footnote: "Or paths of righteousness."

[14] Translation footnote: "Or in right paths."

[15] Translation footnote: "justice. C'est-à-dire dans les sentiers justes, droits, bons."

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The Text and Meaning of Ps. 23:3b

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