1 A Psalm. Of David. The Lord takes care of me as his sheep; I will not be without any good thing. 2 He makes a resting-place for me in the green fields: he is my guide by the quiet waters. 3 He gives new life to my soul: he is my guide in the ways of righteousness because of his name. 4 Yes, though I go through the valley of deep shade, I will have no fear of evil; for you are with me, your rod and your support are my comfort. 5 You make ready a table for me in front of my haters: you put oil on my head; my cup is overflowing. 6 Truly, blessing and mercy will be with me all the days of my life; and I will have a place in the house of the Lord all my days.
Psalms · Bible in Basic English
Psalm 23 Bible in Basic English
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (1)
- Greek and Latin Bibles number most Psalms one lower than Hebrew and English Bibles.
Cross references (6)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Philippians 4:19; John 10:11; Isaiah 40:11; John 10:27–30; John 10:14
- 2 Revelation 7:17; Revelation 22:1; Ezekiel 34:13–14; Psalm 46:4; Revelation 21:6
- 3 Isaiah 42:16; Psalm 31:3; Psalm 19:7; Psalm 51:10; Psalm 143:8–10
- 4 Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 118:6; Psalm 138:7; Isaiah 43:1–2; Psalm 3:6
- 5 Ephesians 3:20; Psalm 92:10; Psalm 45:7; Psalm 16:5; 1 John 2:20
- 6 Psalm 27:4; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Psalm 36:7–10; Psalm 16:11
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
"To the end," for His own resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself speaketh. For in the morning on the first day of the week was His resurrection, whereby He was taken up, into eternal life, "Over whom death shall have no more dominion." Now what follows is spoken in the person of The Crucified.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 8 (1888)
… and the fowls that fly under the firmament of heaven, of which the earth hath now no need; although it feeds on the fish which was taken out of the deep, upon that table which Thou hast prepared in the presence of those that believe. For therefore He was raised from the deep, that He might feed the dry land; …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
Therefore also the prophet saith, "Thou hast prepared a table before me, in the presence of them that trouble me." One could not be wrong in repeating this oracle about this table.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… a spiritual table; therefore say thou also after the Psalmist, The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall lack nothing: in a place of grass, there hath He made me rest; He hath fed me beside the waters of comfort, He hath converted my soul:--that Angels also may share your joy, and Christ Himself the great High Priest, having …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
He is The Way, because He leads us through Himself; The Door, as letting us in; the Shepherd, as making us dwell in a place of green pastures, and bringing us up by waters of rest, and leading us there, and protecting us from wild beasts, converting the erring, bringing back that which was lost, binding up that which was …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)