Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd

Psalm 23, traditionally attributed to King David, portrays God as a caring shepherd who provides for and protects His flock. Drawing from David's own experiences as a shepherd, the psalm expresses unwavering trust in divine guidance through life's challenges, including the valley of the shadow of death. Its vivid imagery of green pastures, still waters, and an overflowing cup has made it a cornerstone of biblical literature, offering reassurance of God's presence and goodness. This psalm holds profound significance in Scripture as it encapsulates the intimate relationship between God and believers, influencing countless prayers, hymns, and reflections throughout history.

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Category: Trust
Prayed by: David

Key Passages

The Psalm

Psalms 23:1-6

T¹he LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. ⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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.

God as Shepherd in Ezekiel

Ezekiel 34:11-16

F¹¹or thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

¹² As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. ¹³ And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. ¹⁴ I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. ¹⁵ I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. ¹⁶ I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

Did You Know?

David moves from talking about God ('He') to talking directly to God ('Thou') at verse 4.

The 'valley of the shadow of death' is walked through with the Shepherd's presence.

The psalm ends with confident hope of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.