Psalms 23 KJV
The Lord Is My Shepherd
About This Psalm
The most beloved psalm. God as shepherd providing, guiding, protecting, and comforting through life's darkest valleys. Six verses that have comforted billions.
1he LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.cf.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.cf.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his nameโs sake.cf.
4 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.cf.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.cf.
6 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.cf.
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Did You Know?
Only 6 verses and 118 words - yet the most memorized chapter in the Bible
Written by David, an actual shepherd before becoming king
Shifts from talking about God ('He') to talking to God ('Thou') at verse 4
The 'valley of the shadow of death' - shadow means death has no substance for believers
'Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies' - feasting while surrounded
The rod was for fighting predators; the staff was for guiding sheep
'My cup runneth over' - not just enough, but abundance
Read at more funerals than any other Scripture passage
'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me' - the Hebrew implies 'pursue' or 'chase'
Ends with dwelling in God's house 'for ever' - eternal security
Commentary & Study Notes Bible Navigator Study Notes David, who had been a shepherd himself, knew exactly what he was claiming. A shepherd is responsible for everything the sheep cannot provide for themselves โ food, water, safety, dโฆ
The most beloved psalm in the world is also one of the simplest. In six verses David moves from green pastures to the valley of death to a banquet table, and through it all the refrain is the same: the Lord is present, and that is enough.
The Lord Is My Shepherd v1
David, who had been a shepherd himself, knew exactly what he was claiming. A shepherd is responsible for everything the sheep cannot provide for themselves โ food, water, safety, direction. To say "I shall not want" is not to claim freedom from desire but freedom from anxiety: with this Shepherd, nothing essential will be lacking. The whole psalm unfolds from this opening confidence.
He Leads, He Restores v2-3
Sheep will not lie down when they are anxious, hungry, or afraid; rest is a sign of trust. The Shepherd doesn't drive His flock but leads them, going ahead into green pastures and beside still waters. "He restoreth my soul" is the language of revival โ the gentle work of bringing a weary heart back to life and back to the right path.
Through the Valley v4
The psalm's turning point is its honesty: the path runs through "the valley of the shadow of death." David does not say he will avoid the valley, only that he will not fear in it, and the reason is a change of address โ he stops speaking about the Shepherd and starts speaking to Him: "thou art with me." The rod and staff, tools of protection and guidance, are now sources of comfort. Presence, not absence of danger, is what casts out fear.
A Table and a Home v5-6
The imagery shifts from shepherd to host. God spreads a feast "in the presence of mine enemies" โ provision and honor in the very place of opposition. The overflowing cup speaks of abundance beyond need. The psalm ends not with mere survival but with a settled hope: goodness and mercy will pursue him all his days, and his final destination is the house of the Lord forever.