A modern English translation drawn directly from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Translated word-for-word where possible, by a committee with scholarly oversight.
Uses the same source texts as the ESV, NASB, and most academic Bibles, including the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and the Nestle-Aland critical edition.
Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is the twenty-third psalm of the Bible and one of the best-known passages in scripture. The 6-verse psalm, traditionally attributed to David, pictures God as a shepherd caring for his sheep and as a host welcoming a guest at a table.
The opening line is among the most quoted in the Bible: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." From this opening image the psalm unfolds in a series of pastoral pictures. God makes the psalmist lie down in green pastures, leads him beside quiet waters, and restores his soul. God guides him in paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.
The fourth verse, the famous turning point, faces darkness. "Even 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." The metaphor remains pastoral. The rod was a club used to defend the flock from predators; the staff was used to guide and recover wandering sheep.
The image then shifts. God becomes a host. He prepares a table for the psalmist in the presence of his enemies. He anoints his head with oil, a sign of welcome and honor. His cup overflows.
The psalm closes with quiet confidence: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." The shepherd of the opening becomes the host of the middle and finally the home itself. The journey ends not in danger but in safety.
Verse 1. A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Verse 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Verse 3. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.
Verse 4. Even 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.
Verse 5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Verse 6. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
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