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.

Psalm 24

Of David. A psalm.

The earth is the Lord’s,(O) and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;(P)
for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.(Q)

Who may ascend the mountain(R) of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?(S)
The one who has clean hands(T) and a pure heart,(U)
    who does not trust in an idol(V)
    or swear by a false god.[b]

They will receive blessing(W) from the Lord
    and vindication(X) from God their Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek your face,(Y) God of Jacob.[c][d]

Lift up your heads, you gates;(Z)
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King(AA) of glory(AB) may come in.(AC)
Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,(AD)
    the Lord mighty in battle.(AE)
Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty(AF)
    he is the King of glory.

Psalm 25[e]

Of David.

In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.(AG)

I trust in you;(AH)
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,(AI)
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous(AJ) without cause.

Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.(AK)
Guide me in your truth(AL) and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,(AM)
    and my hope is in you(AN) all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,(AO)
    for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth(AP)
    and my rebellious ways;(AQ)
according to your love(AR) remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.(AS)

Good and upright(AT) is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs(AU) sinners in his ways.
He guides(AV) the humble in what is right
    and teaches them(AW) his way.
10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful(AX)
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.(AY)
11 For the sake of your name,(AZ) Lord,
    forgive(BA) my iniquity,(BB) though it is great.

12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?(BC)
    He will instruct them in the ways(BD) they should choose.[f]
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,(BE)
    and their descendants will inherit the land.(BF)
14 The Lord confides(BG) in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known(BH) to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the Lord,(BI)
    for only he will release my feet from the snare.(BJ)

16 Turn to me(BK) and be gracious to me,(BL)
    for I am lonely(BM) and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles(BN) of my heart
    and free me from my anguish.(BO)
18 Look on my affliction(BP) and my distress(BQ)
    and take away all my sins.(BR)
19 See how numerous are my enemies(BS)
    and how fiercely they hate me!(BT)

20 Guard my life(BU) and rescue me;(BV)
    do not let me be put to shame,(BW)
    for I take refuge(BX) in you.
21 May integrity(BY) and uprightness(BZ) protect me,
    because my hope, Lord,[g] is in you.(CA)

22 Deliver Israel,(CB) O God,
    from all their troubles!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of the shadow of death
  2. Psalm 24:4 Or swear falsely
  3. Psalm 24:6 Two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac (see also Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts face, Jacob
  4. Psalm 24:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 10.
  5. Psalm 25:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
  6. Psalm 25:12 Or ways he chooses
  7. Psalm 25:21 Septuagint; Hebrew does not have Lord.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

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.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

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.

24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

25 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is (A)my shepherd;
(B)I shall not [a]want.
(C)He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures;
(D)He leads me beside the [c]still waters.
He restores my soul;
(E)He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of (F)the shadow of death,
(G)I will fear no evil;
(H)For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You (I)prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You (J)anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord
[e]Forever.

The King of Glory and His Kingdom

A Psalm of David.

24 The (K)earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has (L)founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the [f]waters.

(M)Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has (N)clean hands and (O)a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor (P)sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is Jacob, the generation of those who (Q)seek Him,
Who seek Your face. Selah

(R)Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
(S)And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in (T)battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah

A Plea for Deliverance and Forgiveness

A Psalm of David.

25 To (U)You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I (V)trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
(W)Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Indeed, let no one who [g]waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

(X)Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, (Y)Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember (Z)the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
(AA)According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 (AB)For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

12 Who is the man that fears the Lord?
(AC)Him shall [h]He teach in the way He chooses.
13 (AD)He himself shall dwell in [i]prosperity,
And (AE)his descendants shall inherit the earth.
14 (AF)The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.
15 (AG)My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
For He shall [j]pluck my feet out of the net.

16 (AH)Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am [k]desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
18 (AI)Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with [l]cruel hatred.
20 Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.

22 (AJ)Redeem Israel, O God,
Out of all their troubles!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:1 lack
  2. Psalm 23:2 Lit. pastures of tender grass
  3. Psalm 23:2 Lit. waters of rest
  4. Psalm 23:6 So with LXX, Syr., Tg., Vg.; MT return
  5. Psalm 23:6 Or To the end of my days, lit. For length of days
  6. Psalm 24:2 Lit. rivers
  7. Psalm 25:3 Waits for You in faith
  8. Psalm 25:12 Or he
  9. Psalm 25:13 Lit. goodness
  10. Psalm 25:15 Lit. bring out
  11. Psalm 25:16 lonely
  12. Psalm 25:19 violent hatred

18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(A) and all the elders(B) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(C) through his ministry.(D)

20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous(E) for the law.(F) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(G) telling them not to circumcise their children(H) or live according to our customs.(I) 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.(J) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(K) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(L) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”(M)

26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.(N)

Paul Arrested

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,(O) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”(P) 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus(Q) the Ephesian(R) in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,(S) they dragged him(T) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.(U)

33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound(V) with two(W) chains.(X) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,(Y) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(Z) 35 When Paul reached the steps,(AA) the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”(AB)

Paul Speaks to the Crowd(AC)

37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,(AD) he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”

“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness(AE) some time ago?”(AF)

39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus(AG) in Cilicia,(AH) a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned(AI) to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:(AJ)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:40 Or possibly Hebrew; also in 22:2

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

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18 On the following day Paul went in with us to (A)James, and all the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, (B)he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles (C)through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all (D)zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 [a]What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may (E)shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, (F)we have written and decided [b]that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from [c]sexual immorality.”

Arrested in the Temple

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, (G)entered the temple (H)to announce the [d]expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.

27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, (I)the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and (J)laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man (K)who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 (For they had [e]previously seen (L)Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And (M)all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. 31 Now as they were (N)seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the [f]garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 (O)He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the (P)commander came near and took him, and (Q)commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another.

So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks. 35 When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. 36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, (R)“Away with him!”

Addressing the Jerusalem Mob(S)

37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?”

He replied, “Can you speak Greek? 38 (T)Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”

39 But Paul said, (U)“I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no [g]mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”

40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and (V)motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the (W)Hebrew language, saying,

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:22 NU What then is to be done? They will certainly hear
  2. Acts 21:25 NU omits that they should observe no such thing, except
  3. Acts 21:25 fornication
  4. Acts 21:26 completion
  5. Acts 21:29 M omits previously
  6. Acts 21:31 cohort
  7. Acts 21:39 insignificant