# Psalm 23 📖: The Lord Is My Shepherd [[📚 Explore the Bible Books]] [[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 22]] | [[Psalm 24]] > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] > [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]] > [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] > [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]] > [[#🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application]] > [[#💬 Discussion Questions]] > [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🔗 Related Passages]] > [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] > [[#📂 Internal Notes]] ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) (The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005) ## A psalm of David. [[#Verse 01.]] A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [[#Verse 02.]] He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. [[#Verse 03.]] He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation. [[#Verse 04.]] Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me. [[#Verse 05.]] You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full. [[#Verse 06.]] Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life. ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary ###### Overall. ###### Verse 01. ###### Verse 02. ###### Verse 03. ###### Verse 04. ###### Verse 05. ###### Verse 06. ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights 1. David was a shepherd before he became king (1 Samuel 16:11; 17:34-35). 2. Ancient kings were often called shepherds of their people, and Ezekiel 34 promises God Himself will shepherd Israel. 3. The "darkest valley" (23:4) translates a word often rendered "shadow of death." 4. A shepherd's rod was a club for defense, and the staff was a long stick for guiding sheep. 5. Anointing the head with oil (23:5) was a sign of hospitality and honor for a guest. 6. In the ancient Near East, a host who welcomed a guest to his table took responsibility for protecting him. 7. "Follow" in 23:6 is a strong verb often meaning "pursue" or "chase." 8. The psalm moves from shepherd imagery (23:1-4) to host imagery (23:5-6). 9. Psalm 23 has six verses and is one of the most memorized passages in the Bible. 10. "Paths of righteousness" (23:3) can also mean "right paths," the correct trails a shepherd chooses. ## 🧠 Chapter Summary > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter Christ is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). He leads, restores, protects, and prepares a table for His people, and He brings us home to dwell with God forever (23:6). ## 🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 💬 Discussion Questions 1. David calls the Lord "my shepherd" (23:1). What does it mean to you personally that the Lord is your Shepherd? 2. God is with us even in the darkest valley (23:4). How has God's presence comforted you in a hard season? 3. God prepares a table before us in the presence of enemies (23:5). What does this picture of hospitality and honor teach about God's grace? ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 verse 1: The Lord is my shepherd, and I lack nothing. - 📖 verse 4: Even in the darkest valley I will not fear, for God is with me. - 📖 verse 6: Goodness and faithful love will pursue me, and I will live in the Lord's house. ## 🔗 Related Passages - 🔗 [[John 10#Verse 11.|John 10:11-14]] - Jesus is the Good Shepherd. - 🔗 [[Ezekiel 34#Verse 11.|Ezekiel 34:11-16]] - God will shepherd His people. - 🔗 [[Isaiah 40#Verse 11.|Isaiah 40:11]] - He tends His flock like a shepherd. - 🔗 [[1 Peter 02#Verse 25.|1 Peter 2:25]] - You have returned to the Shepherd of your souls. - 🔗 [[Revelation 07#Verse 17.|Revelation 7:17]] - The Lamb will be their Shepherd. ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection 📝 SOAP: [[Psalm 23- SOAP|The Lord is Our Shepherd]] ## 📂 Internal Notes Sermon Series [[Good Shepherd- Psalm 23]]