Psalm 23 Overview

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Welcome to the Overview of Psalm 23

This page will introduce and provide orientation to Psalm 23 as a whole. It includes the following sections:


Introduction to Psalm 23

Author

David

Book

Book 1 of the Psalter (Chapters 1–41)

Psalm 23: A Brief Summary

Psalm 23 is beloved for the tender image of YHWH as our shepherd. Simply because YHWH is with his people, they fear no harm. Instead of enemies pursuing them successfully in life, goodness and loyalty will successfully pursue them, as YHWH protects and provides for his own.

“YHWH Is My Shepherd” This title is a memorable phrase that helps remember the unique character and content of this psalm.

The phrase, “YHWH is my shepherd,” captures YHWH as the one who provides and protects for his people. Like a shepherd for his sheep, and like a host for his guests, YHWH provides and protects for his own, even when danger is near.

Purpose The Purpose was the psalmist's probable intent or reason for writing this psalm.

To express confidence in YHWH's provision and protection.

Content The Content is a concise summary of the whole psalm's content.

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

Message The Message is the main idea the psalmist probably wanted the audience to remember upon or after hearing the psalm.

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

Psalm 23 At-a-Glance

These sections divide the content of the psalm into digestible pieces , and are determined based on information from many of our layers, including Semantics, Poetics, and Discourse. The columns, left to right, contain: the verse numbers; the main title of the section; a brief summary of the content of that section (quote marks indicate the text is taken directly from the English text of the psalm (as per our Close-but-Clear translation); and an icon to visually represent and remember the content.

v. 1a A psalm by David. Superscription
v. 1b YHWH is my shepherd; I will never lack [anything]. My Shepherd I never lack anything; YHWH provides for me and protects me.
Ps 023 - shepherd.png
 confidence
v. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me to water where I can rest.
v. 3 He restores my life. He leads me in paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.
v. 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. You are with me, even in danger!
You care for me in front of my enemies.
v. 5 You arrange a table before me in the presence of my adversaries. You have anointed my head with oil. My cup is overflowing. My Host
Ps 023 - table.png
v. 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. As long as I live, YHWH's goodness pursues me.

Background Orientation for Psalm 23

Following are the common-ground assumptionsCommon-ground assumptions include information shared by the speaker and hearers. In our analysis, we mainly use this category for Biblical/Ancient Near Eastern background. which are the most helpful for making sense of the psalm.

  • God is often referred to as the shepherd of his people (e.g., Pss 80:1; 95:7; 100:3; Isa 40:11). However, in Ps 23:1, YHWH is presented as David's personal shepherd; i.e., the one who leads, provides, and protects David.
  • The anointing with a fine, spiced oil was a customary expression of hospitality. Prior to entering the banqueting room, the host would anoint the guest's head with oil (Pss 45:7; 92:10; 133:2; Amos 6:6; Luke 7:46).
  • "You arrange a table" means to set out food and drink for dining.[1] This was a gesture of hospitality (Gen 18:1–8; Exod 2:18–20; Ps 78:19).
  • It was the host's responsibility to provide food, water, and lodging for the guests and their animals.[2] The host was also responsible for providing protection to his guests from all enemies.[3]

Background Situation for Psalm 23

The background situation is the series of events leading up to the time in which the psalm is spoken. These are taken from the story triangle – whatever lies to the left of the star icon. Psalm 023 - Story background.jpg

Participants in Psalm 23

Participant Set List

There are three participants/characters in Psalm 23:

David (vv. 1–6)

YHWH (vv. 1–6)
"My shepherd" (v. 1)
YHWH's rod and staff (v. 4)
YHWH's goodness and loyalty (v. 6)

Harm (v. 4)
Adversaries (v. 5)


  • David (the psalmist): Psalm 23 is traditionally attributed to David, and he is named as the author in the superscription.
  • YHWH: is depicted as David's shepherd and host who leads, protects, and provides for David's needs.
  • YHWH's rod and staff are regarded as participants here because they are the subject of the verb "comfort" in v. 4, i.e., they are personified as the agents responsible for dispensing YHWH's care, protection, and guidance.[4]
  • YHWH's goodness and loyalty are regarded as participants here because they are the subject of the verb "pursue" in v. 6, i.e., they are personified as David's pursuers (cf. Venn diagram for רדף "to pursue").
  • Harm (v. 4) and adversaries (v. 5) are not active participants in this psalm for they do not function as agentive subjects of a verb. Nevertheless, we have included them in the participant list because they play a relational role in the psalm.
    • It is not clear if the adversaries have any connection with the harm mentioned in v. 4. The harm could be inflicted by adversaries, but it could also be an unrelated misfortune or calamity. It is clear though that YHWH's presence with David instills him with confidence and drives out fear of external threats. Therefore, David expresses to YHWH that he is not afraid of danger because, "You are with me."
    • Meanwhile, the adversaries are David's opponents in whose presence YHWH prepares a feast for David (cf. v. 5). Although they opposed David, they seem to represent no threat to him for David has guest-right with Yahweh. "In accordance with Oriental customs, the host is obliged to protect his guest from all enemies, at all costs."[5] Additionally, "There may be a tone of derision, as the psalmist taunts his enemies by reminding them that they cannot harm him."[6]


  1. ↑ Cf. TWOT; Ross 2011, 566; VanGemeren 2008, 255.
  2. ↑ Cf. DBI 1378; Gen 24:23—25; 26:30; 31:1—33; etc.
  3. ↑ Cf. Briggs and Briggs 1906–1907, 210.
  4. ↑ Cf. Craigie 2004, 207; VanGemeren 2008, 254.
  5. ↑ Briggs and Briggs 1906, 210.
  6. ↑ Bratcher and Reyburn 1991, 234.