Psalm 23 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 23

The Divine Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.(A)
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;[a](B)
3 he restores my soul.[b]
He leads me in right paths[c]
for his name’s sake.(C)

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[d]
I fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.(D)

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.(E)
6 Surely[e] goodness and mercy[f] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.[g](F)

Footnotes

  1. 23.2Heb waters of rest
  2. 23.3Or life
  3. 23.3Or paths of righteousness
  4. 23.4Or the valley of the shadow of death
  5. 23.6Or Only
  6. 23.6Or kindness
  7. 23.6Heb for length of days

Cross references

  1. 23.1 : Isa 40.11; 1 Pet 2.25
  2. 23.2 : Ezek 34.14; Rev 7.17
  3. 23.3 : Ps 5.8; 19.7
  4. 23.4 : Job 3.5; Ps 27.1; 138.7; Isa 43.2
  5. 23.5 : Ps 16.5; 31.19; 78.19; 92.10
  6. 23.6 : Ps 25.7, 10; 27.4–6