Psalms 23
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · 1010 BC – 970 BC · United kingdom · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
6 verses · 116 words · ~1 min read · ~1 min listen
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
1The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
for the sake of His name.
4Even 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.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Footnotes (3)
- a v1 See Revelation 7:17.
- b v4 Or the valley of deep darkness
- c v6 Literally for a length of days
Study notes on this chapter · 1
BackgroundWidely held reading
The LORD is my shepherd
David's most-loved psalm pictures God as shepherd and host: green pastures, still waters, a table in the presence of enemies, goodness and mercy pursuing the singer all life long. Jesus takes up the shepherd image for himself in John 10.
When: A psalm of David; Jesus' shepherd teaching, c. AD 30.
Original passagePsalms 23:1–6
Echoed inJohn 10:11 — "I am the good shepherd."
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.