The Meaning of Psalms 23:6 Explained

Psalms 23:6

KJV: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

YLT: Only -- goodness and kindness pursue me, All the days of my life, And my dwelling is in the house of Jehovah, For a length of days!

Darby: Surely, goodness and loving-kindness shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of Jehovah for the length of the days.

ASV: Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Surely goodness  and mercy  shall follow  me all the days  of my life:  and I will dwell  in the house  of the LORD  for ever. 

What does Psalms 23:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

David realized that God"s good loyal love (Heb. hesed) would pursue him throughout his life. To follow here does not mean to bring up the rear but to pursue vigorously (cf. Psalm 83:15). [1] The phrase "goodness and lovingkindness" (NASB) or "goodness and love" (NIV) is a figure of speech (hendiadys) that we could render "good lovingkindness." Dwelling in the Lord"s house (i.e, the sanctuary in Jerusalem) was a picture of enjoying full communion and fellowship with the Lord.
"Yet it is not the place but the vitality of the relationship which transforms." [2]
The word translated "dwell" in the Hebrew text implies dwelling after returning there, rather than dwelling already being there. Evidently, David was not in the sanctuary when he composed this Psalm , but looked forward to returning to it again and often.
"It is . . . unlikely that Psalm 23refers to an afterlife in God"s presence, though Psalm 23:4; Psalm 23:6 in particular have sometimes been so understood. Psalm 23:4 refers to the divine shepherd guiding his lamb (the psalmist) through a dangerous dark valley (a symbol for the danger posed by his enemies, cf. Psalm 23:5). In Psalm 23:6 the psalmist expressed his confidence that he would have access to God"s presence (the "house of the Lord" refers to the earthly Tabernacle or Temple; cf. Judges 19:18; 1 Samuel 1:7; 1 Samuel 1:24; 2 Samuel 12:20; 1 Kings 7:12; 1 Kings 7:40; 1 Kings 7:45; 1 Kings 7:51) throughout his lifetime. NIV"s "forever" translates a Hebrew phrase ("orek yamim, lit. "length of days"), which, when used elsewhere of men, usually refers to a lengthy period of time (such as one"s lifetime), not eternity (cf. Deuteronomy 30:20; Job 12:12; Psalm 91:16; Proverbs 3:2; Proverbs 3:16; Lamentations 5:20)....
"While the psalmist may not have been speaking specifically of an afterlife in God"s presence, in the progress of revelation his words come to express such a hope for God"s people, who now understand the full ramifications of the psalm"s affirmation that God protects His own. In the same way the statements in Psalm 17:15; Psalm 49:15; and Psalm 73:24 become, on the lips of a Christian, a testimony of faith in God"s final vindication of the righteous, even beyond the grave." [3]
The Lord"s goodness to His people, as seen in His leading and providing for us, should motivate us to appreciate our security in Him and to abide in fellowship with Him. [4]
If you anticipate or are presently doing pastoral ministry, try putting your name in the place of the shepherd as you read this psalm. This exercise will help you evaluate your effectiveness.

Context Summary

Psalm 23:1-6 - The Song Of The Good Shepherd
A sabbatic rest breathes through this psalm, the children's favorite; while the oldest and holiest confess that it touches an experience which still lies before them. Here is no strife, no fear, no denunciation, and no self-vindication.
Jehovah is represented as the Shepherd, the Guide, and the Host of His people. We are taught to think less of our attitude toward Him and more of His responsibility for us. The flock does not keep the shepherd, but the shepherd keeps the flock. Look away from yourself and trust Him with all, in all, and for all.
Let God see to your wants. You need nothing outside of Him. His pastures are "tender grass;" His waters, "waters of rest." He refreshes us when exhausted; heals when diseased; restores from wandering; leads in right paths, though steep; accompanies us into the valley with club for our foes and crook for the pits; spreads our table amid hatred; and protects our rear with the twin-angels, goodness and mercy! [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 23

1  David's confidence in God's grace

What do the individual words in Psalms 23:6 mean?

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of Yahweh unto perpituity Forever
אַ֤ךְ ׀ ט֤וֹב וָחֶ֣סֶד יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי כָּל־ יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֑י וְשַׁבְתִּ֥י בְּבֵית־ יְ֝הוָ֗ה לְאֹ֣רֶךְ יָמִֽים

אַ֤ךְ ׀  Surely 
Parse: Adverb
Root: אַךְ  
Sense: indeed, surely (emphatic).
ט֤וֹב  goodness 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
וָחֶ֣סֶד  and  mercy 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי  shall  follow  me 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural, first person common singular
Root: רָדַף  
Sense: to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after.
יְמֵ֣י  the  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
חַיָּ֑י  of  my  life 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: חַי 
Sense: living, alive.
וְשַׁבְתִּ֥י  and  I  will  dwell 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
בְּבֵית־  in  the  house 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
יְ֝הוָ֗ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
לְאֹ֣רֶךְ  unto  perpituity 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֹרֶךְ  
Sense: length.
יָמִֽים  Forever 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.