Psalm 23

The Good Shepherd

A Davidic psalm.

The Lord is my shepherd;(A)
there is nothing I lack.(B)
He lets me lie down in green pastures;(C)
He leads me beside quiet waters.(D)
He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths[a]
for His name’s sake.(E)
Even when I go through the darkest valley,[b]
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;(F)
Your rod and Your staff[c]—they comfort me.(G)

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;(H)
my cup overflows.(I)
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,(J)
and I will dwell in[d] the house of the Lord
as long as I live.[e](K)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:3 Or me in paths of righteousness
  2. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of the shadow of death
  3. Psalm 23:4 A shepherd’s equipment
  4. Psalm 23:6 LXX, Sym, Syr, Tg, Vg, Jer; MT reads will return to
  5. Psalm 23:6 Lit Lord for length of days; traditionally Lord forever

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