Focused Passage

Psalms 23:4-6

The LORD Shepherds and Hosts His People

The psalm moves from personal confession of the LORD as shepherd, to restored and guided life, to fearless passage through the valley, to honored fellowship at the LORD's table, and finally to lifelong pursuit by goodness and covenant love in the LORD's house.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

4 Even 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.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 4

Cross-references

Isaiah 41:10 Classic cross-references Psalms 118:6 Classic cross-references Psalms 138:7 Classic cross-references Isaiah 43:1 Classic cross-references Isaiah 43:2 Classic cross-references

Original words

Even גַּ֤ם H1571 Conjunction though כִּֽי־ H3588 Conjunction I walk אֵלֵ֨ךְ H1980 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular through the valley בְּגֵ֪יא H1516 Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct of the shadow of death צַלְמָ֡וֶת H6757 Noun - masculine singular I will fear אִ֘ירָ֤א H3372 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular no לֹא־ H3808 Adverb - Negative particle evil רָ֗ע H7451 Adjective - masculine singular for כִּי־ H3588 Conjunction You אַתָּ֥ה H859 Pronoun - second person masculine singular are with me עִמָּדִ֑י H5978 Preposition | first person common singular Your rod שִׁבְטְךָ֥ H7626 Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular and Your staff וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ H4938 Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular they הֵ֣מָּה H1992 Pronoun - third person masculine plural comfort me יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי׃ H5162 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular

BSB notes

Or the valley of deep darkness

Verse 5

Cross-references

Ephesians 3:20 Classic cross-references Psalms 31:19 Classic cross-references Psalms 92:10 Classic cross-references Psalms 45:7 Classic cross-references Psalms 16:5 Classic cross-references

Original words

You prepare תַּעֲרֹ֬ךְ H6186 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular a table שֻׁלְחָ֗ן H7979 Noun - masculine singular before me לְפָנַ֨י׀ H6440 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular in the presence of נֶ֥גֶד H5048 Preposition my enemies צֹרְרָ֑י H6887 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular You anoint דִּשַּׁ֖נְתָּ H1878 Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular my head רֹ֝אשִׁ֗י H7218 Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular with oil בַשֶּׁ֥מֶן H8081 Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular my cup כּוֹסִ֥י H3563 Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular overflows רְוָיָֽה׃ H7310 Noun - feminine singular

Verse 6

Cross-references

Psalms 27:4 Classic cross-references 2 Timothy 4:18 Classic cross-references 2 Corinthians 5:1 Classic cross-references Psalms 36:7 Classic cross-references Psalms 16:11 Classic cross-references

Original words

Surely אַ֤ךְ׀ H389 Adverb goodness ט֤וֹב H2896 Noun - masculine singular and mercy וָחֶ֣סֶד H2617 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular will follow me יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי H7291 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular all כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct the days יְמֵ֣י H3117 Noun - masculine plural construct of my life חַיָּ֑י H2416 Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular and I will dwell וְשַׁבְתִּ֥י H7725 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular in the house בְּבֵית־ H1004 Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct of the LORD יְ֝הוָ֗ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular forever לְאֹ֣רֶךְ H753 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct . . . יָמִֽים׃ H3117 Noun - masculine plural

BSB notes

Literally for a length of days

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