Psalm 23

"YHWH is My Shepherd"

Purpose: To express confidence in YHWH's provision and protection.

Content: Like a shepherd and a host, YHWH provides for me and protects me even when danger is near.

Message: I lack nothing and fear nothing because YHWH is with me!

Author: David

Videos

Poetic Features Video

Video forthcoming

Overview

Translation

Click 'Expand' to the right to see our Close-but-Clear translation of Psalm 23.

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1. A psalm by David.

YHWH is my shepherd; I will never lack [anything].

2. He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me to water where I can rest.

3. He restores my life.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for the sake of his name.

4. Even when I walk in a valley of darkness,

I will not fear harm,

because you are with me.

Your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5. You arrange a table before me

in the presence of my adversaries.

You have anointed my head with oil.

My cup is overflowing.

6. Surely goodness and loyalty will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in YHWH's house

for as long as I live.

The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.

For links to other translations of Psalm 23, click here.

Verse-by-Verse

Click the link to view all of Psalm 23 Verse-by-Verse, or click on an individual verse below.

• v. 1
• v. 2
• v. 3
• v. 4
• v. 5
• v. 6

Layer-by-Layer

Psalm Overview

• Grammar
• Semantics
• Story behind the Psalm
• Discourse
• Poetics

Exegetical Issues

• The Text and Meaning of Ps. 23:3b
• The Meaning of צלמות in Ps 23:4
• The Text of Ps. 23:6b

Guardian: Mari Strube