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)

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

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd,(A) I lack nothing.(B)
    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,(C)
    he refreshes my soul.(D)
He guides me(E) along the right paths(F)
    for his name’s sake.(G)
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a](H)
I will fear no evil,(I)
    for you are with me;(J)
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table(K) before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;(L)
    my cup(M) overflows.
Surely your goodness and love(N) will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of the shadow of death