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Psalms 23

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Psalms 23

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1Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4Yea, 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.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.

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Parallel translations · Psalms 23:1

WEB · World English Bible (2000)

Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.

KJV · King James Version (1611)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

ASV · American Standard Version (1901)

Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.

BBE · Bible in Basic English (1949)

The Lord takes care of me as his sheep; I will not be without any good thing.

YLT · Young's Literal Translation (1862)

A Psalm of David. Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> my shepherd, I do not lack,

DRA · Douay-Rheims (Challoner) (1752)

On the first day of the week, a psalm for David. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein.

DBY · Darby Bible (1890)

Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.

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Commentary · Psalms 23

The Lord is My Shepherd

The most-loved psalm in the Bible. David, himself once a shepherd, confesses that the LORD is his shepherd; therefore he shall not want. Green pastures, still waters, paths of righteousness, the dark valley, the prepared table, the overflowing cup, the goodness and mercy that follow him every day, and the house of the LORD forever — every line is the language of trust. The psalm passes from green pastures to the valley of the shadow of death without panic, because the same Shepherd walks both.

Themes

  • Providence
  • God's presence
  • Comfort in suffering
  • Eternal hope

Application

The Christian's confidence is not that he will not pass through dark valleys, but that the Shepherd walks every step with him.

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Key cross-references

From the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — verses that illuminate Psalms 23:1.

  • Micah 5:2

    But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.

  • John 10:27

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

  • Micah 5:4

    And he shall stand, and shall feed his flock in the strength of Jehovah, in the majesty of the name of Jehovah his God: and they shall abide; for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

  • Psalms 79:13

    So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture Will give thee thanks for ever: We will show forth thy praise to all generations.

  • Philippians 4:19

    And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

  • Isaiah 40:11

    He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young.

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Psalms 24 →

"The earth is Jehovah’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein."