2. <I>He maketh me to lie down in green pastures</I>]. In a place to dwell where grass grows. The poet, having begun by comparing his sustenance to the pasturing of animals, in the words, "The Lord Is my Shepherd," continues the image. This Psalm was recited by David in the forest of Hereth, which was so called because it was arid as clay (<I>heres</I>), but it was watered by God with all the delights of the next world (Midrash on the Psalms). 3. <I>He will restore my soul</I>]. My soul, benumbed by misfortunes and by my flight, He will restore to its former estate. <I>He will lead me in the paths of righteousness</I>] along the straight highway so that I may not fall into the hands of my enemies. 4. <I>Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil</I>]. In the country of shadows this applies to the wilderness of Ziph.[86] The word <H>tzalmavet (Tsadi Lamed Mem Vov Tav)</H> here employed always signifies "utter darkness"[87]; this is the way in which it is explained by Dunash ben Labrat[88]. <I>Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me</I>]. The sufferings I have undergone and my reliance, my trust, in Thy goodness are my two consolations, for they bring me pardon for my faults, and I am sure that 5. <I>Thou wilt prepare a table before me</I>], that is, royalty. <I>Thou hast anointed my head with oil</I>]. I have already been consecrated king at Thy command. <I>My cup runneth over</I>]. An expression signifying abundance. From this commentary one realizes, I do not say the perfection, but the simplicity, Rashi could attain when he was not obliged to discover in Scriptures allusions to laws or to beliefs foreign to the text. As Mendelssohn said of him, "No one is comparable with him when he writes Peshat." Even though Rashi gave too much space to the legal exegesis of the Talmud, Mendelssohn's example will make us more tolerant toward him - Mendelssohn who himself could not always steer clear of this method.