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23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

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.

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Psalm 23

The Good Shepherd

A Davidic psalm.

The Lord is my shepherd;(A)
there is nothing I lack.(B)
He lets me lie down in green pastures;(C)
He leads me beside quiet waters.(D)
He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths[a]
for His name’s sake.(E)
Even when I go through the darkest valley,[b]
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;(F)
Your rod and Your staff[c]—they comfort me.(G)

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;(H)
my cup overflows.(I)
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,(J)
and I will dwell in[d] the house of the Lord
as long as I live.[e](K)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:3 Or me in paths of righteousness
  2. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of the shadow of death
  3. Psalm 23:4 A shepherd’s equipment
  4. Psalm 23:6 LXX, Sym, Syr, Tg, Vg, Jer; MT reads will return to
  5. Psalm 23:6 Lit Lord for length of days; traditionally Lord forever

Jehovah the psalmist’s shepherd.

A Psalm of David.

23 Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside [a]still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of [b]the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou hast anointed my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
[c]Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah [d]for ever.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:2 Hebrew waters of rest.
  2. Psalm 23:4 Or, deep darkness (and so elsewhere)
  3. Psalm 23:6 Or, Only
  4. Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days.

23 A Psalm of David. Jehovah [is] my shepherd, I do not lack,

In pastures of tender grass He causeth me to lie down, By quiet waters He doth lead me.

My soul He refresheth, He leadeth me in paths of righteousness, For His name's sake,

Also -- when I walk in a valley of death-shade, I fear no evil, for Thou [art] with me, Thy rod and Thy staff -- they comfort me.

Thou arrangest before me a table, Over-against my adversaries, Thou hast anointed with oil my head, My cup is full!

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!

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The Divine Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
    he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;[a]
    he restores my soul.[b]
He leads me in paths of righteousness[c]
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[d]
    I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
    thy rod and thy staff,
    they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
    my cup overflows.
Surely[e] goodness and mercy[f] shall follow me
    all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.[g]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:2 Heb the waters of rest
  2. Psalm 23:3 Or life
  3. Psalm 23:3 Or right paths
  4. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
  5. Psalm 23:6 Or Only
  6. Psalm 23:6 Or kindness
  7. Psalm 23:6 Or as long as I live