Right paths - so that He not guide him on hills and valleys, and all this He does not for me, but for His name, so that His name becomes renowned throughout the world, because He is a good and merciful shepherd without compare.
Rav Yitzḥak said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalms 23:4)? This is a person who sleeps in the shadow of a single palm tree, and in the shadow of the moon. Despite his dangerous position, he trusts God and is not afraid....
....Your rod and your staff, they comfort me: the rod is Your chastisements; the staff, Your Torah.
Your rod and Your staff: The pains that came upon me, and the support, that I rely upon Your loving kindness - both of them will comfort me, for they will serve to expiate my iniquity, and I am confident that You will set a table before me. That is the throne.
.... אבל מי שיש בידו תורה ומעשים טובים ויסורין רבים באים עליו ניצול מדינה של גיהנם, שנאמר גם כי אלך בגיא צלמות לא אירע רע וכו׳ שבטך ומשענתך המה ינחמוני (תהלים כ״ג ד׳), שבטך אלו יסורין ומשענתך זו התורה.
....[O]ne who has in his hand Torah and good deeds and great afflictions come upon him is saved from the judgement of Gehinnom, as it is said: "Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness, I fear no harm... Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me." (Psalms 23:4). "Your rod," those are the afflictions, "and Your staff," that is the Torah.
You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies: so that they see my honour and rot in jealousy.
כבר היה רבי טרפון והזקנים יושבין ורבי אלעזר המודעי יושב לפניהם אמר להם רבי אלעזר המודעי ששים אמה היה גבהו של מן אמרו לו מודעי עד מתי אתה מתמיה עלינו אמר להם מקרא הוא מן התורה
מה הוא אומר ויצו שחקים ממעל ודלתי שמים פתח (תהלים עח כג)
באו וחשבו ס' אמה היה גבהו של המן. אסי בר שמיי אומר כשירד המן לישראל ראוהו כל האומות שנאמר תערוך לפני שלחן נגד צוררי (שם /תהלים/ כג ה).
Once, R. Tarfon and the elders were sitting, and R. Elazar Hamodai was sitting before them, when he said to them: The height of the manna was sixty cubits. R. Tarfon: "Modai, until when will you continue to confound us with your wonders?" R. Elazar: "It is a verse in the Torah! ....
What is written? (Psalms 78:23-24) 'And He commanded the skies above, and He opened the doors of heaven, and He rained upon them manna for food, and the grain of heaven did He give them.' ....
Then the height of the manna must have been (at least) sixty cubits."
Issi b. Yehudah says: When the manna descended for Israel, all of the peoples saw it, as it is written (Psalms 23:5) "You spread a table before me in full view of my foes."
Goodness for my soul (or body), and kindness for others, to teach them to serve God, until it becomes a norm. For if I wanted to leave goodness for even a moment, it would pursue me.
Only goodness and kindness shall pursue me: I thank You for the good that You have given me until today.
Only: this is what I request of You, that Your goodness and kindness pursue me going forward.
All the days of my life: so that wars and worldly matters not distress me.
In the house of the Lord for many long years: for solitude there, so that I can prepare my heart and thoughts to serve You and cause you to be recognized as One.
I shall dwell: in repentance and tranquility. Or simply that I may be a frequent visitor there time after time.
In the house of the Lord: the site of the Ark.
For many long years: as it says, all my life, but requesting that my life be long.