David’s shepherd psalm is the most beloved of all psalms. With the Lord as our shepherd we lack nothing. With Him by our side we need not fear. His goodness and mercy will follow us through time into eternity. Jesus is that shepherd, so good, that He even laid down His life for His sheep!

BibleGateway: Psalm 23

ESV Text: Psalm 23

Psalm 23 (Listen)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23:1   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
  He leads me beside still waters.¹
3     He restores my soul.
  He leads me in paths of righteousness²
    for his name’s sake.

4   Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,³
    I will fear no evil,
  for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5   You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
  you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6   Surely⁴ goodness and mercy⁵ shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
  and I shall dwell⁶ in the house of the LORD
    forever.⁷

Footnotes

[1] 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest

[2] 23:3 Or in right paths

[3] 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness

[4] 23:6 Or Only

[5] 23:6 Or steadfast love

[6] 23:6 Or shall return to dwell

[7] 23:6 Hebrew for length of days

(ESV)

KJV Text: Psalms 23:1-6

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KJV Text (alt. audio): Chapter 23:

1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, 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. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.(KJV)

Hymn: TLH 436 :
The Lord’s My Shepherd

Hymnary.org—

Organ Audio

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1. The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

2. My soul He doth restore again
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.

3. Yea, tho’ I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

4. My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

5. Goodness and mercy, all my life,
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.

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