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Psalms 23

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David's confidence in God's providential care and goodness.

A Psalm of David.

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.

Metrical version

Psalm 23

C.M. Crimond, St. Columba

The LORD's my shepherd, I'll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
ev'n for his own name's sake.

Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill:
For thou art with me; and thy rod
and staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast furnished
in presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me:
And in GOD's house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be.
Here is the children's psalm, and which is, in very deed, a noted song of all the children of God. Behold, (1.) New-covenant relation to God, as a full and everlasting security against hurtful wants, ver. 1. (2.) Pleasant experience of God's acting up to his new-covenant character, in disposing of, directing, assisting, feasting and comforting his people, ver. 2-3, 5. (3.) Well-grounded hopes of God's careful and seasonable supplies; of his comfortable presence and help amidst distress and death; of the perpetual and everlasting manifestation of his mercy and grace to us-ward; and of our endless nearness to, and immediate enjoyment of him, ver. 1, 4, 5-6.


While I sing, let me think, as before God, whether I have the experimental knowledge of all these things. Let my soul be as a daughter of the horse-leech, crying mightily, Give, give what is good. And let me, in all these forms, taste and see that God is good.