Psalms — Chapter 23

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1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4Yea, 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.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

1Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name`s sake.

4Yea, thou 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.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever. Psalm 24 A Psalm of David.

1A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.

3He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation.

4Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.

5You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full.

6Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life.

1Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.

2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

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 runs over.

6Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A psalm of trust — the most beloved psalm; 'The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.' Through green pastures, still waters, the valley of the shadow of death, and the prepared table — goodness and mercy follow all life's days.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Trust/Confidence Psalm Attributed Author: David — "A Psalm of David" Key Themes: God as Shepherd, complete provision, rest and restoration, fearlessness in danger, abundance in God's presence, lifelong goodness and mercy, eternal dwelling with God
Historical Context: The most beloved psalm in Scripture. David writes from personal experience as a shepherd — he knows what a good shepherd does because he WAS one (1 Sam 16:11; 17:34-36). The psalm forms a trilogy with Psalms 22-24: Psalm 22 is the Good Shepherd giving His life (John 10:11), Psalm 23 is the Great Shepherd caring for His sheep (Heb 13:20), and Psalm 24 is the Chief Shepherd returning in glory (1 Pet 5:4). The psalm uses two metaphors: God as Shepherd (vv.1-4) and God as Host (vv.5-6). Note the pronoun shift: vv.1-3 speak ABOUT God ("He"), vv.4-6 speak TO God ("Thou/You") — intimacy deepens in the valley.
Structure:
  • The Shepherd Provides (vv.1-3)
  • The Shepherd Protects in Darkness (v.4)
  • The Host Prepares a Feast (v.5)
  • Lifelong and Eternal Blessing (v.6)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. "MY shepherd" — personal, possessive (v.1). Not "a shepherd" or "the shepherd" but MY shepherd. The psalm's power is in the personal pronoun. He is not shepherd in general — He is YOUR shepherd specifically.
  • 2. Rest is provided, not achieved (v.2). "He MAKES me lie down." Rest is something the shepherd produces by creating the right conditions. If you cannot rest, ask what conditions the Shepherd needs to address — and let Him.
  • 3. The valley is THROUGH, not permanent (v.4). You walk THROUGH it — it has an entrance and an exit. No valley lasts forever. And the shadow of death is just that — a SHADOW. Shadows cannot harm; only the reality casts shadows. Christ has defeated death; what remains is only its shadow.
  • 4. God feasts you before your enemies (v.5). He does not wait until the conflict is over. His provision is demonstrative — visible to those who oppose you. Your abundance in their presence is testimony to His faithfulness.
  • 5. Goodness and mercy PURSUE you (v.6). You are not chasing God's blessings — they are chasing YOU. The same relentless energy an enemy would use to hunt you is the energy goodness and mercy use to find you. You cannot escape grace.