Start reading at Psalms 23:1 (Psalms 23:1 to Psalms 23:6).
The entire Psalm is a unified expression of trust in the Lord as Shepherd.
23:1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
23:2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
23:3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
23:4Yea, 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.
23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 23:1–23:6): The psalmist testifies about the LORD as shepherd and then addresses Him directly as the One present in danger. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the Lord's complete provision and care for His people, likened to a shepherd tending his sheep, ensuring they lack nothing.
What is God revealing? God is revealing Himself as the faithful Shepherd who provides, protects, guides, and satisfies all the needs of His flock.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, specifically a psalm of trust, employing rich pastoral imagery and metaphor.
When
When was it written? Attributed to David, this psalm was likely written around 1000 B.C., within the broader collection period of Psalms (c. 1400 to 450 B.C.). book background
When does the event take place? The psalm describes an ongoing, continuous experience of God's care and provision, rather than a single historical event.
Where
Where did it happen? The psalm describes a spiritual reality and relationship, using pastoral imagery that evokes the landscapes of ancient Israel where shepherds tended their flocks.
Where was the author located? The author was located in Israel. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Psalm 23 (Psalms 23:1 to Psalms 23:6).
Start reading at Psalms 23:1. The entire Psalm is a unified expression of trust in the Lord as Shepherd.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 23 is a standalone psalm of trust, often placed among other psalms that express reliance on God's character and provision. It is a complete poetic unit expressing confidence in the Lord's care. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the "good shepherd" who lays down His life for the sheep, fulfilling the imagery of the Lord as Shepherd who provides and protects His people. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today can find comfort and assurance in knowing that the Lord, our Shepherd, will meet all our needs, guide us, and protect us, so we need not fear or want. We can trust in His unfailing provision. interpretation
Cited: Psalms 23:1, John 10:11, John 10:14, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 13:5-6
Who wrote it, and how we know
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 23
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence…”
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.