Today's reading is short: all six verses of Psalm 23. Read it slowly, more than once if you like.
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World English Bible (WEB), public domain
1Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.
6Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.
Context note
Reading Psalm 23 in context
Psalm 23 is attributed to David, who kept sheep before he became king. In the ancient Near East, the shepherd was also a familiar picture of a king caring for his people.
The World English Bible uses God's personal name, Yahweh, where many English Bibles print "the LORD." So the psalm opens, "Yahweh is my shepherd."
Notice how the voice changes. In verses 1-3 David speaks about God: he makes me lie down, he leads me, he restores my soul. In the valley of verse 4 he begins speaking to God directly: "for you are with me." The psalm ends at a table set in front of enemies and a home in Yahweh's house.
Many people know this psalm by heart, which makes it easy to recite without reading it. Pick one image and stay with it for a while.
This note is commentary to help you read. The chapter above is the Scripture text.
Reflect
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