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Psalm 23

The Divine Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.(A)
    He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;[a](B)
    he restores my soul.[b]
He leads me in right paths[c]
    for his name’s sake.(C)

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[d]
    I fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.(D)

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.(E)
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
    my whole life long.[g](F)

Footnotes

  1. 23.2 Heb waters of rest
  2. 23.3 Or life
  3. 23.3 Or paths of righteousness
  4. 23.4 Or the valley of the shadow of death
  5. 23.6 Or Only
  6. 23.6 Or kindness
  7. 23.6 Heb for length of days

Psalm 23

The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Heading
A psalm by David.

The Shepherd Provides for His People

The Lord is my shepherd.
I lack nothing.
He causes me to lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

The Shepherd Protects His People

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

The Royal Host Provides for His People

You set a table for me in the presence of my foes.
You drench my head with oil.[a]
My cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.[b]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:5 Scenting someone with perfumed olive oil was a part of celebrations. The verb used here is not the verb used for anointing someone to an office.
  2. Psalm 23:6 Literally for length of days or for days without end