Psalm 23 - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Psalm 23

The Good Shepherd

A Davidic psalm.

1 The Lord is my shepherd;(A)
there is nothing I lack.(B)
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;(C)
He leads me beside quiet waters.(D)
3 He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths[a]
for His name’s sake.(E)
4 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)

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;(H)
my cup overflows.(I)
6 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

Cross references

  1. 23:1 : Ps 78:52; Jr 31:10; Ezk 34:11-13; Jn 10:11
  2. 23:1 : Ps 34:9-10; Php 4:19
  3. 23:2 : Ps 65:11-13; Ezk 34:14
  4. 23:2 : Ps 36:8
  5. 23:3 : Ps 5:8; Pr 4:11
  6. 23:4 : Is 43:2
  7. 23:4 : Mc 7:14
  8. 23:5 : Ps 92:10
  9. 23:5 : Ps 16:5
  10. 23:6 : Ps 25:7; 109:21
  11. 23:6 : Ps 27:4-6