He MAKES me lie down in green pastures

[TonyChanYT]

Psalm 23:

1 The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

Does not the sheep want to lie down on his own accord?

Commentaries:

The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very make-up, it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met.
Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear.
Because of the social behavior within a flock, sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind.
If tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not lie down. Only when free of these pests can they relax.
Lastly, sheep will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food. They must be free from hunger.
It is significant that to be at rest there must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations and hunger. The unique aspect of the picture is that it is only the sheepman himself who can provide release from these anxieties. It all depends upon the diligence of the owner, whether or not his flock is free of disturbing influences.

He makes me lie down
יַרְבִּיצֵ֑נִי (yar·bî·ṣê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

The Hiphil stem expresses causative action.

God causes us to lie down and rest by providing all our needs.

Ezekiel 34:15

I will tend My flock and make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.

 

[Randy Kluth]

Psalm 23:


Does not the sheep want to lie down on his own accord?

Commentaries:


He makes me lie down
יַרְבִּיצֵ֑נִי (yar·bî·ṣê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

The Hiphil stem expresses causative action.

God causes us to lie down and rest by providing all our needs.

Ezekiel 34:15

Very insightful--never heard that before. Thanks!

 

[Nancy]

Psalm 23:


Does not the sheep want to lie down on his own accord?

Commentaries:


He makes me lie down
יַרְבִּיצֵ֑נִי (yar·bî·ṣê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

The Hiphil stem expresses causative action.

God causes us to lie down and rest by providing all our needs.

Ezekiel 34:15

There are sheep literally about 25 feet from my tree line! I love it
Good post.

 

[APAK]

Christ, as the Shepherd, guides and leads His sheep to lay in green pastures. The Psalm 23:2 passage states “He makes me lie down in green pastures” which implies that the Shepherd is the one who causes the sheep to rest and lie down in the lush grass.

In the biblical context, the green pastures symbolize a place of rest, abundance, and provision. The sheep’s willingness to lie down in these pastures indicates their trust and dependence on the Shepherd’s guidance and care. The Shepherd’s role is to provide for the sheep’s needs, including their physical and spiritual nourishment, and to lead them to places of rest and refreshment.

In this sense, Christ, as the Good Shepherd, makes or causes the sheep to lay in green pastures by guiding them to places of rest and provision, and by providing for their needs.

Again, the sheep’s willingness to lie down in these pastures is a result of their trust and dependence on the Shepherd’s guidance and care.