Psalms 23 (KJV)
Psalms 23 is chapter 23 of 150 in the Old Testament book of Psalms (6 verses). Genre: poetry (worship & prayer). Author: Various authors; many attributed to David (also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Moses, Solomon, and others). It belongs to the section “Book I” (chapters 1–41). Its most cross-referenced verse is Psalms 23:4.
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.Verse of the Day page →
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Yea, 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.Verse of the Day page →
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.Verse of the Day page →
About Psalms 23
Psalm 23 is the most familiar psalm in the Bible. In six verses David pictures the LORD as a shepherd who leads, restores and protects, and then as a host who prepares a table and welcomes His guest home.
It is read at funerals and in hospitals, and sung in many languages, because verse 4 speaks to the darkest moment: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”
Questions about Psalms 23
- Who wrote Psalm 23?
- The heading in the KJV reads “A Psalm of David”. David was a shepherd as a young man (1 Samuel 16:11), which gives the psalm its vivid pastoral pictures.
- What does “the valley of the shadow of death” mean?
- It pictures the darkest, most dangerous stretch of life, and can include death itself. The point of the verse is not the valley but the promise inside it: “thou art with me”. Some translations render the phrase “the darkest valley”.
- What do the rod and the staff stand for?
- A shepherd used a rod to defend the flock and a staff to guide and rescue sheep. In the psalm they stand for God’s protection and gentle guidance, which is why David says they “comfort” him.
- Why is Psalm 23 read at funerals?
- It speaks of comfort in the face of death, of God’s company in the dark valley, and ends with the hope of dwelling “in the house of the LORD for ever”.
Scripture text: King James Version (public domain).