What does Psalm 23 mean?

Psalm 23 is a statement of trust that God provides, guides and stays close, including in the worst moments of life. David pictures God first as a shepherd who leads him to food, water and rest, and then as a host who lays a table for him in front of his enemies. Its central line is verse 4: in the valley of the shadow of death he will fear no evil — not because the valley is safe, but because thou art with me.

The shepherd: verses 1 to 4

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Want here means lack, not desire — the claim is that with this shepherd nothing needed goes missing. The next lines are the shepherd's work on the sheep's behalf: he maketh me to lie down, he leadeth me, he restoreth my soul. The sheep contributes very little: green pastures and still waters describe food, water and rest arranged by someone else's care. Paths of righteousness can also be translated right paths — the tracks that lead where they should — and they are taken for his name's sake: the shepherd's reputation rests on getting the flock home.

The valley, and the change of voice

Verse 4 is where the psalm turns. Until now David has spoken about God in the third person — he leadeth me. In the valley of the shadow of death he switches to speaking to him: thou art with me. The most frightening line of the psalm is also its most intimate. Notice too that the valley is walked through; it has another side. The rod and staff are the shepherd's tools — usually understood as a club for driving off predators and a crook for guiding a sheep or pulling it back — and they are described as a comfort, because they mean someone capable is present.

The host: verses 5 and 6

The image changes from a field to a table. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: the enemies have not gone, but David is fed and honoured anyway, with his head anointed and his cup running over. The last verse says goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and the Hebrew verb is stronger than follow — its ordinary meaning is to pursue or chase. The psalm that began with being led ends with being chased by kindness. Christians have long read it alongside John 10:11, where Jesus says I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Passages referenced

¹ 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.
Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV) →
¹¹ I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:11 (KJV) →

Written by the Esther team. Scripture quoted from the King James Version, which is in the public domain.